The Munchkin is a medium sized cat that can come in any coat length, color & pattern. No purebred should ever be used as an outcross, and so breeders also face the challenge of trying to achieve consistency in type.  For this reason, it is likely to take several years to reach a population of breeding Munchkins that are ‘true to type’.  The predominant feature of the Munchkin is definitely its short legs. The hind legs are longer than the front legs. Other than the short legs, the Munchkin should be proportional. The chest should be broad & deep, with a tapering medium length tail.  It should be moderate to muscular in build with moderate bone structure. Excessive bowing of the legs is not permissible.

 

  
 

Munchkins make wonderful pets – getting along well with children, other cats, dogs, and almost anything you introduce them to!  They are a bold breed, and do not behave any differently because of their size.  In fact, judging on their behavior, one might see them as the giants of cat fancy! Come to think of, dynamite comes in small packages!
   
 

The breed has been established from spontaneously occurring domestic cat lines with augmentation by outcrosses to other domestic cats.  Because of the dwarf gene, breeding two Standard Munchkins usually produces smaller litters.  There is a 50/50 chance you will end up with some standard and some non-standard kittens.  To date, there are no specific health problems noted with the breed.

Both Standard and Non-Standard kittens are registrable as Munchkins, but only the Standards can be shown competitively.  The Non-Standard kittens, though, have the same personality as the Standards and make wonderful pets, as well.

Munchkins have been recognized and are a registrable breed by several cat organizations, such as The International Cat Association, Southern Africa Cat Council, and Waratah National Cat Alliance in Australia.  The Cat Fancier's Association does not currently accept the  breed for registration

and/or showing but does accept  enrollment to the CATS (Cats Ancestral Tracking System) as a way to track the munchkin breeding program.