Munchkin cat Breed Information from ASPCA, TICA

Munchkin Cat Breed Information (from ASPCA Guide for Cats Book)

Munchkin Breed: The two largest cat associations, CFA and TICA, have split on recognizing the Munchkin Breed for competition. While TICA recognizes Munchkin Cats and allows participation of the breed in cat shows, CFA does not.

Munchkin Cat Weight: 8-10 lbs

Overview: Munchkin Cats

The feline version of the Dachshund, munchkin breed of cat is controversial and new. The short-legged breed (named after the little people of Oz) is friendly, confident, talkative, and intelligent, with a wonderful sense of humor. Munchkins are extremely easygoing and so make great companions for children. Short legs apparently do not handicap Munchkins, which can run with considerable speed and climb trees, although their jumping ability is somewhat limited. Countertops may be beyond their reach, but some owners may consider this an asset. They are able to groom themselves, and can stretch with hind legs to scratch behind their ears.

My Munchkin White Cat (pictured below, see more of my Marshmallow cat here)

Appearance

Apart from its shortened limbs, the Munchkin resembles a domestic long- or shorthaired cat. All patterns and coat colors are acceptable.

Origins
The Munchkin breed descends from a stray cat with unusually short legs. Since cat fanciers got their first glimpse of this dwarfish feline at a show at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1991, the breed has created quite a stir, and its acceptance is not unanimous. The Munchkin's shortened legs are caused by a spontaneous dominant mutation that has appeared before--in England in the 1930s and in Russia in the 1950s. Munchkins are still a breed in progress; most major breed associations do not recognize them for competition. See TICA Munchkin Breed overview here.

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