The Munchkin Cat: Short, Sweet and Unique!

by Marjorie Dorfman | More from this Blogger

06 May 2006 12:59 AM

The Munchkin is a naturally occurring breed of cat that dates back to before World War II and was originally found both in Stalingrad, Germany and in Great Britain. Characterized by unusually short legs, this cat was often seen sitting on its haunches with its legs in the air, much like the stance of a rabbit. In 1953, it was called: "the Stalingrad Kangaroo Cat." Actually, the gene responsible for the cat's short legs is similar to that seen in some dog breeds, notably the Corgi, Basset Hound and the Dachshund.

Somehow the breed disappeared from Europe and was rediscovered in Louisiana in the 1980s by a woman named Sandra Hochenedel. She found a pregnant cat living beneath a truck in a rural area near her home. She brought it home, named it Blackberry and soon realized that the cat was unlike any other she had ever seen! It had dwarf legs and body movements that were ferret-like. The cat had several litters and produced kittens with both long and short legs. One day, Blackberry disappeared but the gene pool was eventually retrieved from one of her kittens.

Munchkins are medium sized cats with well-rounded chests. They come in all colors and hair lengths. The longhair variety has a beautifully plumed tail. They can do anything other cats do, including leaping to great heights even with their shortened legs. Surprisingly, they can also run very fast. Munchkins love their owners and are very sociable, making them wonderful companions. Highly intelligent, they can be trained to fetch and walk on a leash. They get along well with other animals and children and retain their kitten personalities throughout their lives.

Do YOU own a Munchkin cat? Please share your experience.

Learn more about Marjorie Dorfman

Marjorie Dorfman is a freelance writer and former teacher originally from Brooklyn, New York.

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