I'm not sure how it happened, but recent statistics on pet ownership points to a "kitty revolution" around the world. There's something extra special about cats . . . and especially the enchanting Munchkin, a rare breed of cat.
 
Although only recently discovered by the cat fancy,  Munchkin  sightings were reported long before World War II in Stalingrad, Germany and in Great Britain.  It was at times noted to sit on its haunches with its usually short legs in the air, similar to the alert stance of a rabbit, hence in 1953 it was dubbed the "Stalingrad
kangaroo cat."
 
Seeming to have disappeared from Europe, the Munchkin was  rediscovered in Rayville, Louisiana by Sandra Hochenedel in  the 1980's. Sandra was in pursuit of a pet cat for her three children.  She found Blackberry, a pregnant  female cat living beneath a truck in a rural area. Back at home, Sandra was astonished when she
realized the cat was unlike any other cat that she ever had seen. This extraordinary cat had body  movements that were ferret-like with dwarf legs that resemble the Corgi dog. Blackberry proudly presented Sandra's family  with several litters, and each litter included short and long-legged kittens. One day Blackberry vanished.
Sandra feared the trait was lost again, but "it was not.  The gene pool was  retrieved from Blackberry kittens that had been given to Kaye LaFrance."
 
Dr. Solveig Pflueger, Dr. David Biller and Diana L. Scollard, D.V.M. are currently involved in research in order to evaluate further the inheritance and expression of the short legged trait and the resultant changes in skeletal structure through the lifespan of the cat. A Munchkin is a product of nature rather than a manmade breed.
Because of the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, a cat with the Munchkin gene will produce kittens with the same short legs. There is no evidence to suggest that the gene for short legs hampers survival or quality of life.

Munchkins are registered with The International Cat Association and United Feline Organization , and showable in the NBC class.  Munchkin breeders are diligently working to get the cat recognized for Championship competition.
 
Munchkins portray one of our favorite fantasies the short legged Lollipop Kids in The Wizard of Oz complete with sidestep maneuvers. You can almost hear them tap dancing away shattering the night time stillness. These irresistible cats can do anything other cat's can do. With shorter legs they lack the same degree of leverage,
it may take them more than a single bound to leap atop the kitchen counter, but leave a chair nearby and they will figure it out. Is this a noteworthy disadvantage?
Well that is in the eye of the beholder and their personal point of view.

Captivating Munchkins come in all colors and hair lengths. They are defiantly exquisite cats full of cat adventurousness that all cat lovers appreciate, fully equipped with personality plus some, palsy-walsy,  self-assured,  and trainable to walk with a bounce on a leash. With amazement and  enjoyment you'll watch these cuddly little cuties accelerate taking corners like small sports cars ducking under house hold objects. They can be taught to play fetch  and to zestfully obey voice commands. Munchkins can be a welcome delight in any home. Written by: Kate Bynum   See our Munchkin web site at: http://www.abcs.com/catoninetail/munchkin

More Munchkin information

Just What are Munchkins? No, I am not referring to the "Little People" in the Wizard of Oz. It's CATS that I am talking about. What makes Munchkins so unique in the cat world is their short legs. No other cats have legs like
Munchkins. Their little legs give them a very distinct look, but there is so much more to Munchkins than just short legs.

Munchkins are really BIG on personality. They are very affectionate and love to be around adults, children, dogs and other cats. They never tire of human company and prefer to be with a companion or two rather than alone. They enjoy  the company of other animals and adapt well to most circumstances. They are not aggressive cats, but are very social  and out-going.

Munchkins are very playful. They love to run, chase, climb and play with toys. When it comes to chasing, their short legs give them an advantage over cats with long legs. Those little legs allow them to scramble faster and corner sharper. They love to scurry after ping pong balls, mice on fishing poles and live bugs, if they get the
opportunity.

Munchkins have very sweet, kitten-like personalities. They keep their kittenish ways all their lives. Have you ever gotten a kitten and wished it would stay little, playful and cute forever? Well, get yourself a Munchkin and your wish will come true! You can enjoy the cute antics of a kitten for many years. You will have that
fun little cat as your companion for as long as it lives.

Munchkins are like all other cats except for their short legs.

Munchkins are NOT freaks. Munchkins are NOT disfigured! Their short legs are NOT disabling to them. They can run, jump, climb and play like all cats. They may not be able to jump as high, but they can get to the same places other cats do. Their short legs are the result of a mutation. The gene that causes the short legs is
dominant. If the cat does not have short legs it does not carry the gene. There is no greater incidence of birth defects in Munchkins than any other breed. These cats are bred to exhibit their short legs. Munchkin litters can contain kittens with long legs and kittens with short legs, even when both parents have short legs.
 
 
 
 http://www.abcs.com/catoninetail/munchkin