It would seem that only breeds of cats do not exist! Short-nosed exotics, hairless sphinxes, curly-haired rex, tailless bobtail, curls with unusual curly ears ... It seems to be nothing to surprise. However, there is a cat breed that can amaze even experienced felinologists with its appearance. This is munchkin.
Munchkin may well claim the title of the most unusual cat in the world. Its distinguishing feature, due to which it is impossible to confuse it with any other breed, is its unusually short paws. Often, Manchkina is called a dachshund cat, and this comparison, perhaps, most accurately describes his appearance. Some people will be scared away by such a look, some are even ready to write down Manchkin in disabilities due to the peculiarities of the structure of his body. However, only those who have never seen him live argue this way. In fact, these cats with short legs in activity and playfulness will give odds to any ordinary cat, and they move hardly more slowly than their long-legged counterparts. And about the ability of Manchkin to climb the highest shelves in order to establish his own order there, their happy owners can tell you a lot. Munchkin does not complain about his health at all, this is understandable - because he does not come from blue thoroughbred blood, but from the most ordinary domestic cats. It may seem surprising, but in the selection of this unusual breed, the man put the least effort. Yes, and a cat breed with short legs has officially officially recently - in the 90s of the last century.
Throughout the twentieth century, cases of the appearance of cats with unusually short paws have been recorded more than once. Most likely, they happened much earlier, there is simply no documentary evidence left about this. And this happened almost all over the world - in Europe, in the USA, and even in Russia. But, unfortunately, these unique specimens did not fall into the hands of breeders and therefore did not leave any traces. They were even given a nickname - kangaroo cats, for the ability to look around, sitting in a column, like a real kangaroo. And any owner of Manchkin will confirm this feature.
Its modern name is munchkin, short-legged cats received in honor of the gnome tribe, characters from the popular children's book “The Wizard of Oz”. As the official breed, they were first introduced in 1991, and since then their victorious march around the world has begun. Munchkins have an amazing ability to win people's hearts. Perhaps this is the merit of their unusual appearance, or perhaps of a very friendly nature, high intelligence and extraordinary playfulness. Yes, yes, you were very mistaken if you thought that because of their unusual structure, cats with short legs are somehow constrained in the possibilities of active games. This is absolutely not so! They can do everything - run after the ball, catch flies, climb easily to the very top shelves and much, much more.
Not all cats of this breed have short legs. In the litter of munchkins, kittens with short paws and regular-length paws are born. And both types are actively used in further breeding. A pair of parents can consist of either two standard munchkins, or one standard and one long-legged. And although non-standard individuals do not carry the gene for short paws, nevertheless, their participation in breeding is necessary, since they pass on to their descendants the desired breed type (the correct structure of the head, body or interesting color). In addition, the litter of kittens in which one of the parents is long-legged, usually more numerous.
In Russia, cats with short paws appeared not so long ago - in 2001, but have already gained many fans, both among professionals - felinologists, and among ordinary cat lovers. And today, rarely is any major exhibition dispensed with the Manchkins. Although of course, most people start these unusual cats not for exhibitions, but for the soul, and their pets will never recognize the "star disease" of the ring winners, but simply will delight the owners with their communication, leprosy and games. After all, in which both felinology and ordinary cat lovers really always converge, it is so in the opinion that munchkin is just the perfect cat for home and family. Ask any owner of this short-wondrous miracle - what could be better than munchkin? And you will hear the answer - only two munchkins can be better!