 |
Munchkin from Catoninetail Cattery |
The following article was contributed by Kate Bynum from the Catoninetail Cattery
I'm not sure how it happened, but recent statistics on pet ownership points to a
"kitty revolution" around the world. There's something extra special about cats
. . . and especially the enchanting Munchkin, a rare breed of cat.
Although only recently discovered by the cat fancy, Munchkin sightings were
reported long before World War II in Stalingrad, Germany and in Great Britain.
It was at times noted to sit on its haunches with its usually short legs in the
air, similar to the alert stance of a rabbit, hence in 1953 it was dubbed the
"Stalingrad kangaroo cat."
Seeming to have disappeared from Europe, the Munchkin was rediscovered in
Rayville, Louisiana by Sandra Hochenedel in the 1980's. Sandra was in pursuit
of a pet cat for her three children. She found Blackberry, a pregnant female
cat living beneath a truck in a rural area. Back at home, Sandra was astonished
when she realized the cat was unlike any other cat that she ever had seen. This
extraordinary cat had body movements that were ferret-like with dwarf legs that
resemble the Corgi dog. Blackberry proudly presented Sandra's family with
several litters, and each litter included short and long-legged kittens. One day
Blackberry vanished. Sandra feared the trait was lost again, but "it was not.
The gene pool was retrieved from Blackberry kittens that had been given to Kaye
LaFrance."
Dr. Solveig Pflueger, Dr. David Biller and Diana L. Scollard, D.V.M. are
currently involved in research in order to evaluate further the inheritance and
expression of the short legged trait and the resultant changes in skeletal
structure through the lifespan of the cat. A Munchkin is a product of nature
rather than a manmade breed. Because of the autosomal dominant inheritance
pattern, a cat with the Munchkin gene will produce kittens with the same short
legs. There is no evidence to suggest that the gene for short legs hampers
survival or quality of life.
Munchkins are registered with The International Cat Association and United
Feline Organization , and showable in the NBC class. Munchkin breeders are
diligently working to get the cat recognized for Championship competition.
Munchkins portray one of our favorite fantasies the short legged Lollipop Kids
in The Wizard of Oz complete with sidestep maneuvers. You can almost hear them
tap dancing away shattering the night time stillness. These irresistible cats
can do anything other cat's can do. With shorter legs they lack the same degree
of leverage, it may take them more than a single bound to leap atop the kitchen
counter, but leave a chair nearby and they will figure it out. Is this a
noteworthy disadvantage? Well that is in the eye of the beholder and their
personal point of view.
Captivating Munchkins come in all colors and hair lengths. They are defiantly
exquisite cats full of cat adventurousness that all cat lovers appreciate, fully
equipped with personality plus some, palsy-walsy, self-assured, and trainable
to walk with a bounce on a leash. With amazement and enjoyment you'll watch
these cuddly little cuties accelerate taking corners like small sports cars
ducking under house hold objects. They can be taught to play fetch and to
zestfully obey voice commands. Munchkins can be a welcome delight in any home.
Written by: Kate Bynum See our Munchkin web site at:
http://www.abcs.com/catoninetail/munchkin
Return to the Munchkin Profile
Rescue Links