April 3035446domestic cats munchkin
The Munchkin cat breed is one of the most unusual. Munchkins are short-legged cats. Because of their short legs, Munchkin cats are often called dachshunds. In this article you will find a description and photo of the Munchkin breed, learn the character of these cats, and also find information about the features of care and maintenance of Munchkin cats.
History of the breed
The origin story begins in England in 1930, when the first 4 generations of kittens were born. However, during World War II the new breed was lost.
The next mention of a Munchkin cat appeared in 1983. In the state of Louisiana, American resident Sandra found and began caring for the last representative of the munchkins at that time.
Sandra's cat, named Brambleclaw, gave a new beginning to the emergence of a species that was little known at that time. Soon the cats that had been forgotten became some of the most popular members of the family.
The species received official recognition in 1985 in the USA, where munchkins were introduced and registered as a revived breed.
In 1991, the Munchkin breed was officially announced in the Tica show.
The breed, called the Munchkin, got its name in honor of the small people of the same name from Frank Baum's book "The Land of Oz."
Reproduction and lifespan
When breeding a breed, you need to take into account many nuances. You should not engage in independent breeding without proper preparation. You need to be a professional who understands cat genetics.
Short-legged cats come in two types - standard and non-standard. The first ones have short legs, the second ones have long legs. If a kitten receives the gene for short legs from both parents, it will die as an embryo.
Munchkins should not be combined with breeds that have other strong mutation genes, as the offspring will be small and may even be incapacitated.
Munchkin breeding should be done by professionals
All new matings should improve the characteristics of the breed.
Seals reach sexual maturity at about one and a half years, and only then are they allowed to breed. Males can breed more often than females. A munchkin cat should give birth no more than twice a year. There are three or four kittens in a litter.
In three cities of Russia they professionally breed munchkins: Moscow, St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk.
If breeding is carried out by professionals, mating occurs under their supervision and all genetic risks are observed, then the cats will be born healthy and live long enough. On average, the life expectancy of munchkins is 13-16 years.
Description of the breed
The Munchkin is a breed of cat with short legs, pronounced Munchkin cat in English. The main characteristics of the individuals are squat, with very short straight legs and a long body, which distinguishes them from ordinary cats.
Representatives of the species have a wedge-shaped head, which is directly proportional to the body. In males, the head is more developed, which shows their superiority over females.
In addition to the structure of the head, the peculiarity of cats is the heaviness of the body. Males of the Munchkin cat breed differ from females in weight by 1-2 kilograms, reaching up to 4 kg, in contrast to the opposite sex, which has up to 3.5 kg. These pets can live up to 13 years, and in rare cases, up to 20.
Long-haired representatives have shiny fur with developed undercoat, which is present most of all on the legs, neck and tail. Shorthairs have a “plush” coat.
Kinkaloe
Country of origin:
USA
Height:
up to 16 cm
Weight:
3 kg
Age:
10–15 years
The Kinkalow is a cat breed created by crossing a Munchkin and a Curl. Their distinctive feature is the special shape of their ears. They are slightly curved back. This breed is classified as experimental; its standard has not yet been developed. The Kinkaloo's coat is very thick. It can be either long or short. The breed is considered rare and small in number.
The prices for such kittens with short legs are quite high; males are always cheaper. There are currently few official nurseries - they exist only in the UK, USA and Russia.
These cats are very affectionate and friendly. Personality: cheerful and sociable. They can get along well with children and other pets. Even an adult of this breed is playful and mischievous. Representatives of the breed are very curious - they like to watch what is happening in the house.
Kinkalows prefer to be the center of attention; noisy companies of strangers do not bother them at all.
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Appearance
The Munchkin and Dachshund breeds have the same genetic anomaly, which is well expressed in the structure of the body, expressed in direct proportion to the tail and body and the length of the paws.
Cats with short legs also differ:
- medium nose with a slightly noticeable deflection;
- strong neck;
- slightly visible forearms at the base of the forelimbs;
- a shaggy fluffy tail with a rounded tip - the difference between the long-haired individuals of this species;
- the eyes are shaped like a large walnut.
The eye color of these cats is rich, even in color and can easily differ from the color of the animal.
Colors of short-legged cats
There are no restrictions on color - it can be red, smoky, as well as silver and black. Long-haired species often have bicolor colors.
Bicolor is a popular color type among the Munchkin breed.
The colors of short-haired breeds are also unlimited; Siamese, spotted and patterned tabby colors are often found among them.
The colors of shorthaired munchkins also have no restrictions.
Munchkin fold
Representatives of this breed differ in ear set from the existing standard, but cannot be recognized as a separate species. This is due to the presence of a risk of gene mutation and, as a result, health problems.
The Fold Munchkin or, as breeders call it, Folmax, is similar in appearance to the Scottish Fold cat due to genetic abnormalities in the skeleton and ear structure.
Interesting! The long-haired, fluffy Munchkin with very short legs, despite genetic abnormalities, has become popular among experienced breeders seeking to obtain a variety of options when crossing this species with other individuals of the family.
What causes the appearance of short-legged cats?
The appearance of a new breed of cats with short legs predetermined the extensive work of breeders to breed new species of these animals. But before that, felinologists tried to study the reason for the short legs of cats.
IMPORTANT: short-legged cats do not have concomitant diseases, the peculiarity of their structure does not give the cat pain or other negative manifestations.
Short-legged animals are great lovers of life
Research results have revealed that the achondroplasia gene is responsible for “short legs” - this is a gene for congenital dwarfism in combination with unusually short legs. The remaining organs, bones and overall health of the animals are not affected by this gene, which is a random glitch in the cat’s genome. Short-legged cats are completely healthy and move without problems on their unusual paws.
Character traits
The short-legged Munchkin cat has a friendly disposition and always finds a common language with other pets: the cat’s dogs will not see her as a rival.
The pet respects its owners and easily adapts to the mood. Strangers also quickly establish contact with the kitten after seeing its feline charm and kindness.
Walking around the room, they stomp their feet like hedgehogs, which also lifts the mood. The cheerful, playful, easy-going nature of the munchkin will not leave anyone indifferent.
These cats are curious and friendly, love to play and easily tolerate the “squeezing” of children, do not show aggression towards other pets, but can catch smaller animals: birds and rodents.
The presented description of the breed shows that understated Munchkin cats can easily make friends not only with an adult owner, but also with a child.
Cats with short legs
The most famous breeds of cats with short legs are Munchkin, Bambino, Napoleon, Lamkin, Kinkalow, Skookum. Each of them has its own characteristics of behavior and character. All animals have a friendly disposition and get along well with small children.
Bambino
Bambino cats
The breed arose as a result of crossing two other breeds: the Sphynx and the Munchkin. The first kitten from such parents appeared in 2005. He inherited two distinctive features from his dad and mom: short legs and lack of hair.
The cat has good physical characteristics, loves to frolic, is able to remember and perform simple tricks, and knows and loves its owner.
Separation from the owner negatively affects the bambino: the animals even refuse to eat. This factor must be taken into account when deciding to get a pet. Cats tolerate moving, travel, and new surroundings well and quickly adapt to new conditions.
The breed is expensive; the price of a hairless kitten starts from 35,000 rubles.
Napoleon
Cats of the Napoleon breed
Napoleon is the result of crossing a Munchkin with a Persian. In 2005, the International Cat Association recognized the new breed.
The cat has a round muzzle and large eyes, the muzzle is more like the muzzle of a fluffy Persian. The wool is very thick, its length and color can vary. Weight no more than 2 kg. Jumping and falling from heights are especially dangerous for Napoleons.
Pets are distinguished by their peaceful nature, are suitable for families where children are raised, and go into the arms of strangers.
The price of a kitten depends on the pedigree, color and length of the paws, ranging from 30,000 to 80,000 rubles.
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Lamkin
Cat of the Lambkin breed
Lambkin, or Lambkin (English: Lambkin Dwarf cat) is a dwarf breed with curly hair, recently bred in the USA. The Lemkin breed has no official recognition. The parents of the first lambkins were the Munchkin and the Selkilk Rex.
There are several nurseries for breeding purebred cats, all located in the USA and New Zealand. According to the clubs, there are no lambkin breeders in Russia.
A special feature of the breed is its curly coat, the color can vary, there are no standards. In the litter there are kittens with straight hair or curly hair, but with long legs.
Cats are funny and playful. They get along with children. They love to move and can climb heights.
Kittens are sold for an average of 15,000 rubles. Often, non-standard kittens from a litter of purebred cats are usually passed off as lambkins. When contacting a specialized nursery, the price will be several times higher. This is a very rare breed.
Munchkin
Munchkin cat
At the end of the last century, a US resident, Sandra, took in a stray cat, deciding that her legs were short because of the harsh living conditions. But Ezhevichka (that’s what the cat was called) gave birth to the same short-legged offspring. The breed achieved official recognition in 1991. Until now, the breed standard has not been fixed, but the description that a purebred animal must correspond to exists. This breed is involved in the development of new dwarf cat breeds.
The main feature of the Munchkin is its paws - they are short and straight. The color can be different, as well as the length of the coat. Among the representatives of the breed there are lop-eared individuals.
Munchkins are friendly creatures and get along well with people. Due to their short legs, they do not jump well in height. They become strongly attached to their owners.
The price of munchkins varies from 5,000 to 35,000 rubles.
Kinkaloe
Kinkalow cat
The breed was bred in the USA by crossing a Machkin and a Curl. Kittens have short legs and curled ears. This breed is found mainly in America; it has not become widespread in Russia, although Kinkalows are officially recognized.
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The breed also has a long tail. The animals have thick, shiny fur. Weight does not exceed 3 kg.
Cats become very attached to their owner and do not like to be left alone. They enjoy playing with children. Frisky and active animals.
The price is high due to the fact that the breed is rare - from 500 to 1000 euros. You can only buy it in the USA.
Skookum
Skookum cat
American citizen Roy Galusha developed a new dwarf breed by crossing a munchkin and a laper in 1996. Roy achieved official recognition of the breed 10 years later.
Outwardly, Skookum is similar to other cats of dwarf breeds, but the weight of the animal is larger: up to 4 kg. The coat is wavy, especially the fluffy collar area.
Skookums spend their time actively, love to play with their owners, but will not bother them. A distinctive feature is a quiet voice.
The price is high - from 800 to 3500 euros, it will not be possible to buy in Russia. Can be purchased in European countries.
Nutrition
The short-legged Munchkin needs only a healthy and proper diet. It is advisable to include in his diet:
- meat - most of the diet should be from this product;
- vegetables, fish, eggs and cereals should be given 1-2 times a week.
All products must be selected carefully and ensure that the prepared food is low-fat. Due to the fact that your pet loves to eat, it is necessary to follow a feeding schedule, taking into account how active it is and in what physical shape. If the cat is fat, you need to slow down the pace of feeding and ask a specialist for advice on proper care of the animal.
Munchkin maintenance and care
The content of Munchkin is quite simple. Munchkins are clean and tidy cats, quite easy to care for and do not have serious health problems. The only weak point of this breed is the back. Munchkins are genetically predisposed to a disease such as back lordosis, a weakening of the spinal muscles. This disease causes problems with the heart and lungs. This disease occurs in other cats, but munchkins are more likely than other breeds to suffer from it. Therefore, you should definitely visit your veterinarian regularly.
Keeping a munchkin requires a balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals. These short-legged cats can be fed both homemade food and premium dry food. Munchkins are unpretentious when it comes to food. The main thing is that the food is varied and healthy. Ready-made food will cover all the needs for essential vitamins and provide adequate nutrition for the munchkin.
When feeding natural products, the basis of the diet should be lean meat. In addition, it is necessary to give fermented milk products, cereals and vegetables. A couple of times a week you can add fish and eggs. In percentage terms, the optimal diet is as follows: meat – 60%; vegetables – 30%; cereals – 10%. Munchkins are prone to gaining excess weight, which leads to health problems, so do not overfeed your pet.
Caring for munchkins is quite simple and does not require much effort. You will need to purchase various toys, a tray, bowls and install a scratching post. Don't forget to arrange a corner in the house for your pet where he can relax and be alone. If you have a large house, you can place a basket or a couple of boxes in different parts of the house.
Munchkin care includes a set of standard procedures, such as: cleaning ears and teeth, combing, trimming claws, etc. The coat needs to be brushed at least once a week; long-haired munchkins will need to be brushed more often. To do this, you should purchase special combs. The munchkin should be bathed only with specialized shampoos and no more than 3-4 times a year.
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Health
Representatives of this breed are in good health, but despite their excellent physical condition, they are plagued by back problems: lordosis, a disease expressed in the deflection of the spine due to weak muscles.
In addition to changing the position of the spine, this disease affects the heart and lungs - death is possible. To keep your cat healthy, you need to take it to the veterinarian and get the necessary vaccinations to prevent diseases.
It is possible to crossbreed only long-haired and short-haired representatives of the species in order to exclude deaths during the birth of kittens, as well as the transmission of life-threatening diseases.
Interesting facts about munchkin cats
Small paws are the result of the presence of a dominant achondroplasia gene in the genetic code of the breed. It is noteworthy that one of the representatives of the munchkins became a record holder in the Guinness Book of Records - a cat named Liliput.
- In 2014, he was recognized as the world's smallest cat.
- The height of his body at the withers was 13.34 cm.
- Perhaps that is why, not only because of its spectacular appearance and beautiful habits, the price of a munchkin cat can be quite high.
But despite this, the breed is popular. You won’t have to look for a long time where to buy a munchkin kitten. They are popular in the CIS countries. It is also noteworthy that munchkins became the ancestors of several more breeds of cats with short legs - Minskin, Dwelf, Kinkalow, Skookum and some others.
Kitten in the house
In order for a munchkin kitten to appear in a family, you need to think about where you can buy a pet. When choosing a place of purchase, you should pay attention to nurseries and what breeders of this breed will offer, since Munchkin kittens in such places of sale will already be litter box trained and with the necessary vaccinations.
If you are not satisfied with the prices of breeders or kennels, you can use other places, such as exhibitions or online advertisements, but remember that there is a risk of buying a false munchkin.
A munchkin costs from 3 to 20 thousand rubles. The cost mainly depends on the color and age of the individual.
Summarizing all of the above, we point out that when the choice of pets is made, it must be conscious and made with maximum responsibility.
