Conference misery::feline

    Is this a new cat only in the New England area?  I go to a lot of CFA
    shows and I have never even heard of a Munchkin.
    
    Dennis

    I saw a couple of these maybe 3 or 4 yearsa ago at the Marlboro show.
    There was also an another "experimental breed" benched near them called
    the York chocklet (or somethign like that. They were a naturally
    occuring true chocklet brown color.
    
    Deb

    There have been a couple out here in California.  They've been shown
    in the Household Pet category.  Don't know if they just showed there
    since they weren't yet accepted by CFA or if these where "pet quality"
    kittens they decided to show in HHP.
    
    Jan

    The one thing that bothers me about this cat is I'm really worried
    about spine/back problems because they have such short stubby
    legs. To me...it just doesn't look right.
    
    I don't think the cats have been around that long so it's hard
    to determine the health problems that it might develop over time.
    (sigh)
    
    Sandy
    

    Munchkins are not allowed in CFA.  They may be a natural mutation,
    but why would someone want to breed for that type of mutation?  
    This is just my opinion.  Somehow, legs like that can't be healthy
    overall.  The Dachsunds are notorious for back problems, in case this
    is similar.  I doubt that they will ever be accepted in CFA.
    
    I see this as very different from other natural mutations such as
    the rex gene.  What can curly hair, ears for that matter, do to the
    health of a cat?  Watching these cats walking around really turns 
    me off. I find it upsetting, almost like watching a cripple. (animal
    not person, that's different!!)  I suppose some people enjoy watching
    dwarf's at a circus too.  That's a natural mutation.
    better get outa here 8')
    Karen

    How short are these legs?  
    Sarah

    Sarah,
    The ones that I saw had a height of maybe between 1-3" from
    the chest to the table.  I am not sure what the exact standard
    would require.
    Karen

    Oh, my, that is short!  I have a kitty with very short legs in
    proportion to the length and size of his body.  When he walks he looks
    like a bull dog.  Do these cats have comparably sized bodies? What does
    their gait look like?  
    Sarah

    
    re: .5  Karen, Thank you.  My sentiments exactly.  I found it a
    disturbing sight to see.  Needless to say I did not stick around
    to listen to the exhibitor extol the virtues of this breed...
    I too, doubt that they will ever be accepted in CFA.  And if they 
    were, I would begin to doubt CFA....
    
    
    

 	Munchkins started showing up spontaneously in England in the 1930's
and the Soviet Union acknowledged a "short cat" in 1953.  These cats reportedly
live long, healthy lives.

	Munchkins appear to be healthy cats without any unusual problems.
Despite the short legs, they run extremely fast and are able to climb trees
and curtains as well as any other cat.  However, they do not jump as high 
because the shorter back legs do not give them the same degree of leverage.
Although they can easily jump on a chair or a bed, the kitchen counters are
not often attainable.

Although it is true the Daschund is prone to disk disease, the cat spine is
constructed quite differently from dogs.  Spinal problems are very rare in
cats, even in breeds with extremely long bodies such as Siamese or Oriental.
Munchkins show no evidence of any joint deterioration, but a complete assessment
will take several years to complete.

The Munchkins readily accept a harness and leash and seem to enjoy taking their
owners for walks.  They're very sociable and enjoy company and get along well
with people, other cats and dogs.  They're definitely not shortchanged in
either intelligence or personality.

At this point there is no evidence to suggest that the gene for short legs
hampers survuval or quality of life, which is consistent with the British,
Russian and German reports of these cats.

They are very natural and are not freaks in any way.  They have unquestionable
purebred qualities and come in an array of colors such as pointed, mink, sepia
and other varieties.  In appearance, Munchkins have strong bodies and good 
muscular development.  They should have a rounded head and broad muzzle with
large, expressive eyes.

If someone you know has an interest in these cats, please call or write:

	Paul McSorley Secretary/Treasurer
	The International Munchkin Society    
    	P.O. Box 0424
	Quincy, MA 02269
	(617) 925-8575.

A couple of breeders:

	Laurie and Bobby Bobskill
	(413)736-6381
	West Springfield, Ma



	Solveig M.V. Pflueger
	17 McIntosh Drive
	Wilbraham, MA 01095
	(413)596-5093


Laura
    

    In Britain we have a monthly cat magazine called Your Cat which
    contains alot of interesting information/stories etc on cats.
    
    Last month's had an article on the Munchkin, the following are extracts
    I found interesting:
    
    The discovery of the Munchkin is credited to Sandra Hochenedel who in
    1983 found a female cat living underneath a pick-up truck in Louisiana.
    When she got it home she discovered it had very short legs and was
    pregnant.  Half of the kittens inherited the short legs and she became
    the foundation cat of this new breed.
    
    The Munchkin has a long tail with front and back legs just 3 inches 
    long.  The breed is not recognised in the UK and vets here have voiced
    concern that the cats abnormalities will lead to weak backs and
    premature death.  They cannot jump as high as other cats however US
    Munchkin breeder and clinical geneticist Solveig Pflueger is quoted as
    saying "At this point, no evidence exists to suggest that the gene for
    short legs hampers survival or quality of life".
    
    She is optimistic that the breed will obtain championship status.
    
    I found the photograph of the Munchkin quite upsetting to look at and
    personally I do not agree with 'designer cats', I only hope that this
    breed does not suffer due to its stature.
    
    Kirsty

    I saw something of it on TV a coupla weeks ago.  I found them to be
    "interesting" (isn't that what Mom taught us to say?).  They look like
    a feline Dausch...oh you know what I mean!  :)
    
    Although these critters are *different*, they are still furfaces we all
    love so much...if one decided to adopt me, I don't think I'd say no...
    
    Sandra
    
    P.S.  See what you guys have done now!!!!  I'll take in ANYTHING! :)

	Maybe it was the siamese like "points", or those big expressive
eyes, but that little Munchkin really got to me...

	Laura