The Munchkin cat breed is relatively new, although individual cats with shorter than average legs have been noted and even encouraged throughout history.
The breed’s story begins in 1983, when a female cat was rescued in Louisiana. She had been abandoned outdoors, and had been chased under a pickup truck by a dog. This cat, later named Blackberry, was pregnant and gave birth to a litter that included some kittens with short legs. Her rescuer, Sandra Hochenedel, gave one of the male short-legged kittens to a friend named Kay LaFrance. This kitten was named Toulouse, and was eventually bred back to Blackberry. Their offspring formed the foundation for the Munchkin cat breed as we know it today.
Responsible breeders do their best to ensure that kittens are healthy and comfortable in their bodies. Instead of pairing registered Munchinks with one another, they outcross Munchkin cats with domestic cats and other purebreds, ensuring a diverse gene pool and reducing the likelihood of genetic diseases.
The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Southern Africa Cat Council are the only registries that currently accept Munchkin cats. Much controversy surrounds the breed, as not all breeders take responsibility for preventing painful issues that adversely affect the welfare of the individuals they produce.
TICA granted the Munchkin cat breed championship status in 2003, but no progress toward advancing the Munchkin’s status in the world of cat fancy has occurred since then.