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Munchkin cat

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Munchkin
An adolescent munchkin kitten.
OriginUnited States
Breed standards
TICAstandard
Domestic cat (Felis catus)

The Munchkin cat or Sausage cat[1] is a newer breed of cat characterized by its very short legs, which are caused by a genetic mutation. Much controversy erupted over the breed when it was recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1995 with critics voicing concern over potential health and mobility issues.[2]

They are considered by some to be ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE.

The name "munchkin" derives from writer L. Frank Baum's diminutive inhabitants of Munchkin Country, originating in the 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.[3][4][5]

History

Breed creation

Short-legged cats have been documented a number of times around the world since the 1940s. A British veterinary report in 1944 noted four generations of healthy short-legged cats which were similar to normal cats except for the length of the legs. This line disappeared during the Second World War but other short-legged cats were spotted in Russia during 1956 and the United States in the 1970s.[6]

In 1983, Sandra Hochenedel, a music teacher in Rayville, Louisiana, found two pregnant cats who had been chased under a truck by a dog.[2] She kept one of the cats and named her Blackberry and half of her kittens were born short-legged. Hochenedel gave a short-legged male kitten from one of Blackberry's litters to a friend, Kay LaFrance of Monroe, Louisiana, and she named the kitten Toulouse.[2] It is from Blackberry and Toulouse's litter that today's Munchkin breed is descended.[2] Toulouse was an un-neutered cat with outdoor access and after some time a population of stray short-legged cats started to form.

Thinking that they might have a new breed, Hochenedel and LaFrance contacted Dr. Solveig Pflueger, a show judge, chairperson of The International Cat Association's (TICA) genetics committee and advisor to the Board of Directors. Together with Dr. David Biller, Head of Radiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, Pflueger conducted studies on the cats and determined that the short-legged trait has an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance and that the cats did not appear to have any spinal problems associated with those found in short-legged dog breeds such as the Corgi and Dachshund.[citation needed][when?]

Registry history of Munchkin breed

The Munchkin cat was first introduced to the general public in 1991 via a national network televised cat show held by The International Cat Association (TICA) in Madison Square Garden.[7] Critics predicted that the breed would develop back, hip and leg problems similar to those that plague some Dachshunds.[8] For many years, the Munchkin breed was not accepted in feline competitions due to the controversial breeding.[2] Amidst much controversy, the Munchkin was proposed as a new breed by foundation breeders Laurie Bobskill and Robert Bobskill of Massachusetts and accepted by TICA into its New Breed development program in September 1994. One veteran show judge resigned in protest, calling the breed an affront to breeders with ethics.[2][9] The Munchkin breed achieved TICA Championship status in May 2003.[6]

Apart from TICA, registries that recognize the breed includes The American Association of Cat Enthusiasts (AACE), The United Feline Organization (UFO), the Southern Africa Cat Council,[10] and the Waratah National Cat Alliance in Australia.[11] There is controversy among breeders of pedigree cats as to what genetic mutations are abnormal and potentially disadvantageous to the cat.[12] Several cat registries do not recognize the Munchkin: Fédération Internationale Féline, which refuses to recognize what they consider a breed based on a "genetic disease", achondroplasia.[13] The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy likewise refuses to recognize the breed, considering this breed and others like it to be "unacceptable" because they are based on an "abnormal structure or development".[14] The breed is also not recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association.[15] The Australian Capital Territory (a territory of Australia) government consider the munchkin breed to be "malformed animals" and the deliberate breeding of them "unacceptable" because of the "genetic health problems associated with such breeding".[16] Owners and Breeders of munchkins declare them to be "a sound breed" that is "ideal" for small homes and not particularly susceptible to health problems.[11]

In 2014, Lilieput, a Munchkin cat from Napa, California, was named the shortest statured living cat in the world by Guinness World Records. She stands 5.25 inches (13.34 centimeters) tall.[17]

Characteristics

Munchkin kitten, 7 months old

The Munchkin is generally described as a sweet-natured, playful, people-oriented, outgoing and intelligent cat which responds well to being handled.[18] Some sources state that the shortness of their legs does not interfere with their running and leaping abilities,[19] while others state their ability to jump is limited by their condition.[20]

The Munchkin has similar characteristics to normal domestic cats, due to their frequent use as outcrosses. It is a small to medium-sized cat with a moderate body type and medium-plush coat. Male Munchkins typically weigh between 6 and 9 pounds (3–4 kg) and are usually larger than female Munchkins, which typically weigh between 4 and 8 pounds (2–3.6 kg). The hind legs can be slightly longer than the front which creates a slight rise from the shoulder to the rump. The legs of the Munchkin may be slightly bowed, although excessive bowing is a disqualification in the show ring. Cow-hocked legs are also penalized.[6][7]

The Munchkin comes in all coat colors and patterns. It also comes in a long-haired variety, which is shown in a separate Munchkin Longhair category. The short-haired variety has a medium-plush coat while the long-haired has a semi-long silky coat.[6] TICA rules for outcrossing allows the use of any domestic cat that does not already belong to a recognized breed. Similarity to other breeds is grounds for disqualification. Non-standard Munchkins are not allowed to be shown.[18]

Health

Although the genetic mutation causing the short-legged trait in Munchkins is referred to as achondroplasia,[13] achondroplasia is a genetic disorder that results in dwarfism[21] and is typically associated with an enlarged head as well as short legs but can also involve symptoms include undersized jaw, thick-looking joints, curved spine, and bow-legged and/or a knock knee posture.[22] The condition has sometimes been referred to as hypochondroplasia or pseudoachondroplasia.[23][24] Small litter sizes when two munchkin cats are crossed indicate that embryos that are homozygous for the munchkin gene are non-viable.[24]

While there were early speculations that the Munchkin will develop spinal problems commonly seen in short-legged dog breeds, in 1995 several breeders had their oldest Munchkins X-rayed and examined for signs of joint or bone problems and found none.[25]

However, there appear to be two conditions with increased incidence in the Munchkin breed: lordosis (excessive curvature of the spine)[26] and pectus excavatum (hollowed chest).[27][28] Both conditions are commonly seen in humans with pseudoachondroplasia.[23]

Genetics

The munchkin gene is autosomal dominant.[13] Homozygous embryos for the munchkin gene are not viable due to gene lethality, and do not develop in the womb. Only kittens that are heterozygous for the munchkin gene develop into viable short legged munchkin kittens.[24] Because only heterozygous munchkin cats are able to pass on the gene, all litters with at least one munchkin parent have the possibility of containing kittens with the phenotypes: short-legged or normal-legged (referred to as non-standard munchkin), with the genotypes of Mm or mm, where M is the trait for short legs and m is the trait for long legs. The mating of two munchkin parents, Mm x Mm, have the chance of producing these offspring: 25% MM- a nonviable kitten, 50% Mm-short-legged, 25% mm- normal. The resulting litter will be 2/3 Mm-short-legged and 1/3 mm-normal.

Punnett squares, in which the M represents the dominant munchkin gene and the m represents the recessive normal gene, may be used to illustrate the chances of a particular mating resulting in a short-legged cat.

Kittens bearing two copies of the munchkin gene (MM) will not develop in the womb. Kittens bearing one munchkin gene and one normal gene (Mm) will be short-legged munchkins. Kittens bearing two normal genes (mm) will be normal. Mm munchkin kittens will be able to pass on the munchkin gene to their own offspring. Normal mm kittens will not, as they do not have a copy of the munchkin gene.

Mating two standard munchkins:
M m
M MM Mm
m Mm mm
For each kitten conceived from this mating, there is a 25% chance it will fail to gestate, a 25% chance it will be normal, and a 50% chance it will be short-legged.
For each kitten conceived from this mating, there is a 0% chance it will be homozygous for the munchkin gene, a 50% chance it will be normal, and a 50% chance it will be a munchkin.
Mating a standard or non-standard munchkin with a normal cat:
M m
m Mm mm
m Mm mm

Recognized derived breeds

The Munchkin has been crossed with the curly-coated LaPerm to create the Skookum, the hairless Sphynx to create the Minskin and Bambino, another curly-coated Selkirk Rex to create the Lambkin, the Persian breed group(which includes Himalayans and Exotic Shorthair) to create the Napoleon, the curled-eared American Curl to create the Kinkalow, the folded-eared Scottish Fold to create the Scottish Kilts, and also with the Bengal to create the Genetta.

See also

References

  1. ^ "'Munchkin Cats' Are Deliberately Bred to Have 'Sausage' Bodies". PETA. 2017-02-10. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Stall, Sam (2007). 100 Cats Who Changed Civilization: History's Most Influential Felines. Philadelphia, PA: Quirk Books. pp. 20–22. ISBN 9781594741630 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ "Munchkin & Midget Cat Breed Facts". www.petmd.com. petMD, LLC.
  4. ^ Nunn, Lyn. "Munchkin Cats - Origin and History". Cat Breeds Junction. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  5. ^ Fawcett, Kirstin (3 June 2016). "7 Short Facts About Munchkin Cats". Mental Floss. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d "Munchkin Breed". The International Cat Association (TICA). The International Cat Association (TICA). 13 August 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2019. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  7. ^ a b Helgren, J. Anne (2006). "Iams Cat Breed Guide: Munchkin". Telemark Productions. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
  8. ^ "A Cat Fight Breaks Out Over a Breed". Associated Press. July 23, 1995. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  9. ^ Helgren, J. Anne (1998). "Encyclopedia of Cat Breeds: Munchkin Cat". Barron's Educational Series. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
  10. ^ Southern Africa Cat Council, The Southern Africa Cat Council, Breed Standards (Foreign Breeds)
  11. ^ a b Waratah National Cat Alliance, Munchkin Breed Profile Archived 2007-08-29 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Morris, Desmond S. (1988). Catwatching & Catlore. Arrow Books Ltd. pp. 183–186. ISBN 0-09-922901-3.
  13. ^ a b c Breeding and Registration Rules: 2.7.3 Genetic Diseases. Fédération Internationale Feline
  14. ^ The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy, The GCCF says Health Comes First
  15. ^ Cat Fanciers' Association,CFA Breeds Archived 2007-06-29 at the Wayback Machine
  16. ^ Australian Capital Territory, Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats in the ACT
  17. ^ Yune, Howard. "Tiny Napa cat stands tall in new Guinness record book". Napa Valley Register. Napa Valley Register. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  18. ^ a b "Munchkin Breed Group Standard" (PDF). The International Cat Association. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  19. ^ Stroud, Jon (2008). The DVD Book of Cats. Green Umbrella Pubg.
  20. ^ "Munchkin - Limb Deformity". Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. 2011.
  21. ^ "Achondroplasia". Genetics Home Reference. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Retrieved 2019-09-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "Feline Dwarfism". Basepaws. 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2019-09-14.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ a b Wedderburn, Pete (October 2008). "Cat breeds–Trophies with hidden problems". Journal of Small Animal Practice. BSAVA Companion. 49 (10): 7–9. doi:10.1111/j.1748-5827.2008.00680.x. This selection for an albeit naturally occurring mutation, resulting in pseudoachondroplasia, has resulted in a breed which appears to have an increased incidence of pectus excavatum and spinal lordosis, both problems commonly seen in human patients with pseudoachondroplasia.
  24. ^ a b c Genetic Abnormalities of Cats. Messybeast.com Cat Resource
  25. ^ Munchkin PetStyle Lifestyle Network For Pet Lovers. by Twink McCabe Archived 2011-07-15 at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ "Munchkin Cat Health Problems". VetInfo. Retrieved 2019-03-24. The Munchkin cat is a very healthy breed with few specific health problems. Munchkin kittens, however, are vulnerable to lordosis, a rare spinal condition in which the spinal muscles grow short, allowing the spine to sink down into the body. Lordosis may be mild or severe, and if it's bad enough, the kitten won't live past three months of age. Many breeders feel that lordosis is a genetic disorder, but it's not specific to the Munchkin cat; many other breeds of cat suffer from lordosis. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  27. ^ "All You Need to Know About Munchkin Cats". Cats Are On Top. 2018-01-21. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
  28. ^ Hubler, M.; Langley-Hobbs, S.J. (2009). "Hereditary and congenital musculoskeletal diseases". ScienceDirect. Feline Orthopedic Surgery and Musculoskeletal Disease. Retrieved 2019-03-24. There may be a familial tendency to thoracic wall deformities (pectus excavatum, unilateral thoracic wall concavity) in Bengal kittens, and chondrodystrophic Munchkin cats may also have an increased incidence of pectus excavatum and spinal lordosis. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
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