The Munchkin breed has no specific country of origin, as these unusual-looking cats appeared not artificially, but through natural mutation, and simultaneously in several countries. In the last century, the children's book "The Wizard of Oz" was very popular in the United States, which is where the breed got its name, "Munchkin." As early as the 1930s, news of these funny little creatures was making waves in Europe (Germany, England).
The short-legged cats loved to sit upright and carefully survey their territory. For this reason, the Germans nicknamed them "Kangaroo Cats."
Munchkin - photo and description
It is curious that the Munchkin does not stand on its hind legs like other cats, but sits firmly on its hips, using its tail as a support to maintain balance.
Cats can stay in this position for quite a long time., and their small paws, dangling along their bodies, complete the kangaroo look. It looks quite funny, so these little animals couldn't go unnoticed.
Character
Munchkin cats have a rather unique personality. Their limbs are too short to allow them to hunt effectively, so these "kangaroo kittens" should be kept indoors, NOT outdoors! Taxocats aren't the least bit worried about being deprived of the opportunity to climb on tables., knocking over a couple of porcelain figurines or an expensive vase—their small paws don't stop them from "living an active lifestyle" on your apartment floor. After all, they can't jump, but they can run quite briskly.
You probably won't find a cat breed as amusing as the Munchkin anywhere else. The way these animals sit on their hind legs, leaning on their tail like a kangaroo, is truly a sight to behold. They're also known as "petty thieves." No, a Dachshund won't steal a piece of meat or fish from you—they prefer small items that can be hidden in a secluded corner. So if you lose a valuable trinket, don't panic. Instead, carefully follow your pet, and sooner or later, they'll lead you to their "hiding place."
Overall, these cats have a friendly and unflappable nature. They are very kind, extremely curious, moderately active, and not prone to neuroses. Moreover, Munchkins are very sociable and easily get along with strangers.Thanks to their appearance, Dachshunds are a perfect choice for those who love exotic pets, and their playful nature will easily dispel boredom in a lonely person and quell occasional aggression in a large family.
Munchkins tolerate the excessive affection and "torment" that children so enjoy, making this breed ideal for a home with a small child. Although they are very friendly, curious, and sociable, it's important not to overdo it—the cat is quite capable of defending herself.
Description of the breed
When meeting this exotic animal for the first time, people experience approximately the same range of feelings: at first - pity, then - genuine joy and admirationAfter all, these unusual short-legged cats are sure to bring a smile to anyone who sees them.
At one time, there was a lot of controversy surrounding this breed: some argued that kangaroo cats were defective animals that did not deserve the attention of breeders, while others, on the contrary, believed that the Munchkin was a rather interesting breed that needed to be further developed.
The final breed standard has not yet been established, but the basic criteria are already known.
The head is medium-sized, wedge-shaped with smooth contours. The ratio of head and body sizes is proportionalAdult males have more developed head parts than females:
- neck of medium length, muscular, thick;
- the nose is medium with a slight dip, which is not a fault of the breed;
- Wide-set eyes, reminiscent of large walnuts, are positioned at a slight angle to the ears. IMPORTANT! Eye color is not determined by the animal's coat color; the main thing is that the eyes have an even, rich color;
- The ears are wide at the base and rounded at the tips, set wide and high.
The body proportions and size are average (with one obvious exception). The forelimbs are slightly shorter than the hindlimbs, resulting in a decrease in proportions from the croup to the withers. The tail length corresponds to the body length. When moving, animals hold their tails up like a pipe., i.e., vertically. The skeleton is not light, but not heavy either. Munchkins have well-developed muscles.
The legs are one of the main distinguishing features of Munchkins from their relatives. They are straight and short. However, in some cases, a slight inward curvature of the forelimbs is observed. As already noted, the front legs are shorter than the hind legs. Short-legged female cats weigh 2-3.5 kg, while males weigh up to 4 kg.
The coat can be either long or short.In the first case, the coat is silky and dense, possessing excellent protective properties. This type of animal has a luxurious, noble collar. In the second case, the coat is shiny and feels like plush.
Color. The variety of colors in this breed is astounding, and it's been observed that the same color looks completely different on long-haired and short-haired dachshunds. The most popular colors of longhaired cats are smoky and silver.Shorthaired varieties come in a wide variety of patterns, including colorpoints, and dark markings on the paws, tail, and head. It's worth noting that short- and medium-haired Munchkins are much more common than longhaired varieties.
Where and how much can I buy a short-legged kitten?
In Russia and Ukraine, buying a good Munchkin kitten is still quite difficult. This is because the breed has not yet become as widespread as, for example, in America and Japan, making it difficult to accurately estimate the cost. Prices range from 5,000 to 20,000 rubles, but extreme caution is advised, as there is a risk of purchasing a rejected animal of a different breed or even a mongrel.
Of course, cost is not an indicator of quality, but still good recommendations and reasonable price, which are provided by professional Munchkin breeders and catteries, can serve as a guarantee of the right choice. Most catteries are located in Russia, but in Belarus or Ukraine, you can try purchasing a Dachshund from enthusiastic breeders.
Kittens should be purchased when they reach two months of age. By this time, they are sufficiently independent and capable of managing without their mother.
Criteria for choosing a short-legged kitten
The animal must not have:
- bloated, large belly;
- disheveled, dull fur;
- vomiting and diarrhea;
- curvature of the limbs;
- discharge from the eyes;
- broken or crooked tail.
You should not buy a kitten that is too small, as the standard does not allow for dwarf munchkin cats.
Due to the fact that representatives of the Munchkin breed do not require special conditions of maintenance, They are not picky eaters and have excellent health.They're ideal for beginners. Of course, due to their build, these cats can't hunt rats and mice, and they're not suited to being kept outdoors, but if you're looking for a loyal, playful, and restless companion, this breed is for you.
