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Munchkins
Munchkins are a relatively new breed of
cat with cute short legs. They are fun loving, intelligent and
very people orientated cats, they love to be handled and make
the ideal pet in any situation.
Yes they are an ideal pet for an apartment
or smaller house because they are shorter and a small to medium
cat. Their short legs do not in any way restrict their agility
or mobility. Don't be fooled that your kitchen benches are safe
if they can't jump that high, and many can, they work out ways
to get there. Our Munchkins have managed to get into the highest
places without any trouble!
History
In the
1944 Veterinary Record (Great Britain), Dr. H. E.
Williams-Jones described four generations of cats with short
limbs, including an 8-1/2 year old black female reported as
having had an extremely healthy life. Her dam, great dam, and
some of her progeny were similar in short-legged appearance. The
cat's movements were described as ferret-like, but other than
the short legs, the cat was reported to be normal in every way.
Like so many other breeds they disappeared during the Second
World War. In 1956 Max Egon Theil described a cat he had seen in
Stalingrad that had unusually short legs but was in no way
functionally hindered. This cat was seen playing among its
normal siblings and other young cats. At times it was noted to
sit on its haunches with its front legs in the air, similar to
the alert stance of a rabbit. Because of this behavior, the cat
was dubbed the "Stalingrad Kangaroo Cat" by the author.
Later sighting were recorded in New
England USA during the 1970's.
In 1983, a short-legged cat, later
named Blackberry, was discovered by Sandra Hochenedel in
Louisiana, and from her today's Munchkin breed was born.
Blackberry's first and subsequent litters consisted of about
half short-legged and half long-legged kittens. A son from
one of Blackberry's litters, Toulouse, was given to Kay
LaFrance, a friend of Hochenedel. It is from Blackberry and
Toulouse that today's Munchkin breed is descended.
Munchkins owe their short legs to a
naturally-occurring genetic mutation, and not from human
manipulation. The gene responsible for the breed's short legs
has been likened to the same one that gives Dachshunds and Welsh
Corgis their diminutive stature. However, since the spine of a
cat is physically different from that of a dog, Munchkins do not
suffer the spinal problems sometimes associated with those
canine breeds.
Munchkins can be crossed with Domestics,
and several other breeds to create cats with a delightful range
of coat types, colours and patterns.
They have outgoing friendly personalities,
and love to be around people.
They tend to be small cats, both in length
and height, and so are are ideal for apartments and children.
They are very agile and can run and jump,
though often not quite so high as other cats.
They are well behaved, easy to care for
and have no known health problems. An enormous amount of
research has been carried out by well respected vets and Cat
researchers,
Dr. Solveig
Pflueger and Gloria Stephens to name just
two,
to ensure that Munchkins are a sound breed.
Our priority is health and temperament and
all our kittens are born and socialized underfoot in our home.
Our priority is health and temperament and all our kittens
are born and socialized underfoot in our home.
All Shortz'n'Curlz kittens come desexed, immunised, vet checked
and microchipped and with health guarantee.
David and Christine are very experienced
breeders.
David is an All Breeds Cat Judge and
Christine is a Siamese and Oriental Judge and in the process of
completing studies to be a Longhair Judge.
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