The Munchkin: Little Cat of Oz

The Munchkin Cat Breed in Brief:

Origin: United States

Weight: 4-8 pounds

Average Litter Size: 1-2

Grooming Needs: Low on shorthairs, Medium on Longhairs

Life Expectancy: 10+ years

Good With Kids: Children should ideally be 6+ years

Good With Other Animals: Yes

Named for the little people in the famous “Wizard of Oz” movie, the Munchkin cat is a rare and often misunderstood member of the feline family. Born with a normal-sized head, tail and body, these short-legged cats are considered a rare jewel by some breeders and an atrocity by others. Fortunately, despite all the name calling, these adorable little individuals seem determined to show the world that they are every bit the cat that their taller, long-legged cousins are!

The History of the Munchkin

Undersized cats have popped up many times throughout the history of the world. The first documented case of an undersized, short-legged cat was recorded in Great Britain, in the year 1944, though it is believed that these feline dwarfs have made occasional appearances throughout the centuries. It wasn’t until 1983, however, that the cat was apparently recognized as a breeding project in Rayville, Louisiana, and further experiments were conducted in an effort to produce more short-legged cats.

It was a music teacher by the name of Sandra Hochenedel who is credited with first helping the breed, simply because she noticed two short legged cats hiding underneath an abandoned truck one day. Rescuing both felines, she took them home and gave them the names of Blackberry and Blueberry. Both were pregnant when she rescued them, but she gave the gray female away, keeping Blackberry for herself.

Surprisingly, the kittens that were born to Blackberry also possessed the short-legged genes of their mother and, as more kittens were born to the line, Blackberry would become the foundation cat for the breed. Sadly, however, she would only stick around to bear a couple of litters for Sandra Hochenedel, before she disappeared as mysteriously as she had arrived. Similarly, it is also unknown whatever became of her sister, Blueberry.

Before Blackberry’s disappearance, however, Sandra gave one of the short-legged male kittens to her friend, Kay LaFrance. Named Toulouse, this little male went on to mate with many of the females that wandered the LaFrance property and, in no time, there was a wealth of short-legged individuals running about. Thinking that they may have discovered a new breed of cat, LaFrance and Hochenedel both contacted Dr. Solveig Pflueger, an all-breed cat judge who specialized in genetics. With the assistance of David Biller, Head of Radiology for the College of Veterinary Medicine in Kansas, Pflueger would carry out a detailed study in order to evaluate the genetic trait, determining its characteristics as well as its likelihood to be passed on down the line. The end results of this study concluded that the gene causing the cat’s legs to be shorter than normal was an autonomic dominant gene, meaning that both parents did not need to carry the Munchkin gene for it to be passed to the offspring. If a cat was born with short legs, it carried the Munchkin gene and could have short-legged offspring. If the cat was born with long legs, it didn’t carry the Munchkin gene.

The Munchkin cat made its debut in 1991, at the New York INCATS TICA show, held at Madison Square Garden. Three years later, they would be accepted by TICA, entered into the NBC (New Breed and Color) category and, by 2002, the Munchkin was eligible to compete for championship. The breed faced a great deal of opposition, though, and still does to this day, because many cat fanciers believe that the short-legged appearance of the Munchkin is actually a deformity, and that encouraging others to breed animals like this is unethical. Fans of the breed argue that the mutation first occurred naturally and spontaneously, without human intervention and that Munchkin cats are very healthy and unaffected by their short-legged stance.

The Munchkin Appearance

The Munchkin looks much like any other average household cat, save for his short legs. Sporting a normal sized head, body and tail, the only difference between the Munchkin kitten and his long-legged cousins is his short stature. Munchkin cats are solidly built and, at first glance, almost appear as if they were crouched down and stalking something fun to pounce on and play with.

The breed standard of the Munchkin cat calls for moderation, stating that they are a medium-sized cat with a body that is medium in length, and the Munchkin’s modified wedge-shaped head should be medium sized as well, possessing slightly rounded contours and proportionate ears and eyes. They can be found in two varieties: shorthaired Munchkins and longhaired Munchkins, with any color or pattern being accepted. Quite often, it’s easier to find breeders who specialize in popular colors and patterns, because it’s much easier to find homes for the longer-legged kittens that do not carry the Munchkin gene.

The Munchkin Temperament

Like any breed of cat, the Munchkin’s temperament can vary greatly, from cat to cat. Generally speaking, however, the Munchkin tends to be a very jovial and carefree little feline, often maintaining a kitten-like playfulness long into adulthood. They are loving and affectionate, without being clingy, and tend to make very good pets for children who are over the age of 6. While they are generally tolerable of smaller children and other pets, the Munchkin is not able to jump as high as his long-legged counterparts and, for this reason, cannot always escape hurtful hands or aggressive pets.

Munchkin Grooming Requirements

The shorthaired variety of Munchkin is relatively simple to groom. Requiring little more than the occasional brushing to help remove any dander or dead hairs from his coat, it is recommended that you do this once every one to two weeks. Handling your Munchkin kitten during the brushing helps you to find any troubles that may arise with your kitten, often preventing them from becoming worse.

The longhaired variety of Munchkin kitten requires a combing through once or twice a week, in order to prevent his medium-long coat from matting. While they often protest at first, pay particular attention to your kitten’s stomach and behind the front legs, where many mats commonly occur. It’s also important to watch for them around the back legs as well. Keeping an eye on your kitten’s ears is equally important, but only clean the outer parts of the ear with a Q-tip, should you see any dirt. A foul odor or excessively dirty ears should be examined by your veterinarian.

Munchkin Health Concerns

Unlike many other breeds of purebred cat, the Munchkin is currently outbred to various domestic longhair and shorthaired cats. Because of the open availability of the gene pool, this unique breed of cat has what is known as “hybrid vigor,” meaning that he is more resistant and less likely to suffer from the genetic conditions many of his purebred counterparts encounter. Nevertheless, there is still concern about the possibility of lordosis affecting these Munchkin cats.

Lordosis, a condition in which the spine curves downward and creates a swaybacked appearance, which can cause a compression of the heart and lungs, putting affected animals at risk. While such conditions are often seen in Dachshund dogs, Munchkin breeders argue that this is not a problem with the breed and often make mention of the wild jaguarundi, from South America - a wildcat who is known to have an elongated body and short legs, but remains one of the most adaptable of all felines.

Is the Munchkin the Right Breed For You?

The Munchkin kitten is generally happy in any situation, provided he gets his fair share of attention. Affectionate without being clingy, they are wonderful cats for adults or seniors, and do well in homes with older children. The Munchkin is generally healthy and low maintenance, though it’s important to remember that he cannot jump high - while he may be able to climb up on the couch, taller chairs and tables are too much for him to manage and this unfortunately puts him at the mercy of more aggressive pets.

Because of the Munchkin’s inability to escape aggressive animals, it’s also important to know that they are recommended as indoor-only pets and the hefty price Munchkin kittens often bring usually helps to encourage new owners to be a bit more careful with these dwarf cats. If you don’t mind paying a bit more for your kitten and are looking for a unique and personable little feline, you may want to check out a dwarf kitten. Munchkin cats make excellent pets and may very well be the perfect pet for you!

Shawna L. Krautheim

2007