A natural genetic mutation led to the development of the cat breed known as Munchkin cats. The most striking characteristic of Munchkin cats is their short legs. The Munchkin cat breed is relatively new.

In 1983, a short-legged, female cat named Blackberry became the cat upon which the Munchkin breed was established. The existence of short-legged cats had been documented as early as the 1940s, however the cat breed did not originate with these cats.

The International Cat Association (TICA) has accepted the Munchkin cat breed as a championship breed, but Munchkin cats have not yet been accepted by the Cat Fanciers? Association (CFA). Many resources claim that Munchkin cats are becoming more popular which could aid in their acceptance into the Cat Fanciers? Association.

Munchkin cats are described as people oriented and seemed to enjoy being handled and held. These cats are also described as extremely playful.

The Munchkin cats have eyes that are spaced widely apart and walnut-shaped. The color of the cat’s coat is not related to the eye color of Munchkin cats like it is for most cat breeds. There are no restrictions on eye color by the breed standard.

A Munchkin cat has ears with slightly rounded tips. The medium-boned Munchkin cats should have muscular bodies. The shortness of the legs does not seem to impede the cat’s ability to be active.

Some experts believe that Munchkin cats should not be bred. The fear is that the short legs put the cat at a disadvantage for potential survival behavior such as climbing. However, breeders stress that the Munchkin cat breed is healthy and not susceptible to disease.

The coats of Munchkin cats can be longhair or shorthair. Dense and plush, shorthair coats are medium to short in length. Solid colored shorthair coats may be less dense than other color patterns. The long-haired coats are semi-long and silky.

People who are knowledgeable about pets but not specifically about Munchkin cats may be concerned that Munchkin cats may suffer from the same spinal problems that corgi and Dachshund dogs are prone to. This is not the case since cat spines do not have the same susceptibility to spinal problems due to short stature.