In 1991, New York's Madison Square Garden, a strange cat with short legs was shown. It was nicknamed the "Dachshund cat" or "Basset cat". Already by the 1930s, cats of the same time were reported in England but forgotten during World War II. A specimen was described in Stalingrad in 1953.

These cats are named after the inhabitants of Munchkin Land in Fleming's famous movie "The Wizard of Oz", 1939. The ancestors of today's Munchkins are descended from Blackberry, a black cat found in Louisiana around 1982. The gene responsible for short legs, the basis for this spontaneous mutation, is dominant.

The head of the Munchkin is shaped like an equilateral triangle with rounded contours and the forehead is flat. The cheeks can be broad, particularly in males, the chin is firm but not prominent and the nose is moderately long. The large walnut-shaped eyes are well-spaced and set slightly at a slant. There is no relationship between eye colour and coat colour. The neck is moderately long, thick and muscular.

The medium-sized body has a round chest, broad shoulders and moderate to heave bone and muscle structure. The spine is as flexible as in other breeds. The round medium-sized paws are compact, short, medium-boned and very muscular.  The tail is moderately thick and tapering to a round tip. It is well-furnished, held high and very straight in motion. 

The coat can be shorthaired or semi-longhaired. It has a silky texture and all colours are recognized.

While the Munchkin's short legs do not hinder the cat's mobility, they do prevent it from jumping as high as other cats. Munchkins are active, lively and playful. They are very sociable and affectionate and they adore their owner.

To receive our newsletter

Copyright Texts  and documents (ChatonNath et DouxCoeur)

© All rights reserved June  03