Ten Interesting Facts About the Munchkin Cat Breed

Another favorite breed of mine is the Munchkin breed. We once rescued a momma and her two babies. They were so precious and cute.

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #1)

The Munchkin breed is a relatively new breed within the Cat Fancier's Standards the first Munchkin was sited in Russia-remember Russia was also the birthplace of the Peterbald). In 1953 a Munchkin was named the Stalingrad Kangaroo Cat since it appeared standing on its hind legs, short legs in the air-akin to Little Roo in the Winnie the Pooh series. In addition, it was in Stalingrad Russia this feline was seen. Munchkins disappeared for almost thirty years, popping up, in all places in Louisiana underneath a trailer.

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #2)

Munchkins are considered the Welsh Corgi, the Dachshund, or the Bassett Hound of cats. I wonder if they are herders, too?

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #3)

Munchkins were not developed through cross breeding. A gene, comparable to the gene resulting in short legs of the aforementioned canines, does the same with Munchkins.

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #4

Random mutation, if you will, is what produces these lovely feline creatures. They can have long or short hair, but to be a Munchkin, the legs are shorter than average. When I first came upon a picture of a Munchkin, I really thought I was looking at a stuffed cat, as the legs were not something I had ever seen before- in cat form.

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #5

Munchkins may have short legs, but they can JUMP. Our rescued momma would amaze us with her ability to jump. Most cats tend to jump to the spot of choice straight away. Gemini would meander going from floor to chair, to another chair, to the table, to the counter until she could finally jump on top of the refrigerator. Whereupon, she would immediately be told to "get down from there!".

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #6

Munchkins are excellent hunters but that is an irrelevant fact, as cats do not belong outside fending for themselves, right?

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #7

Munchkins first began as a breed, not just as a here and there seen cat, in 1983 when Sandra Hochenedel discovered a short legged black cat seeking solace and comfort under her trailer.(After all who knows what happened between Russia thirty years prior until then.) She named the cat Blackberry and soon learned the feline was pregnant. Half of her litter was born with the mutated short-legged gene.

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #8

A boy from her litter, Tolouse, became the father of the breeding program established here in the United States.

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #9

Munchkins are not recognized by the majority of registered organizations because of health concerns associated with the mutated gene. The mortality rate is in question. Currently only the International Cat Association accepts the breed.

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #10

Now comes the tricky part- the Munchkin gene, is an autosomal dominant one. Presently no Munchkin kitten has been shown to carry the gene from each parent. Litters born to a Munchkin and a non-Munchkin cat have "normal" kittens or Munchkins. Genetically speaking, it is a crap shot. What is born is born

And just because...

Ten interesting facts about Munchkin cats #11

Munchkins may be short in stature otherwise they most typically resemble a Persian!!!! They can have a thick body with a round chest. However, unlike most Persians, the Munchkin personality can be akin to that of a ferret. Their off button is hard to find with these vivacious playful energetic kittens.

We found wonderful homes for our momma and her two little Munchkin babies.