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The Munchkin is a relatively new breed of cat characterized by its very short legs, which is caused by a naturally occurring genetic mutation. Named after the short-statured characters from Wizard of Oz, the breed was developed in the 1980s in the United States. Much controversy erupted over the breed when it was recognized by The International Cat Association in 1995 with critics voicing concern over potential health and mobility issues, although such fears have not as yet materialized.

History
Short-legged cats have been documented a number of times around the world since the 1940s. A British veterinary report in 1944 noted four generations of healthy short-legged cats which were similar to normal cats except for the length of the legs. This line disappeared during the Second World War but other short-legged cats were spotted in Russia in 1956 and the United States in the 1970s.

In 1983 Sandra Hochenedel, a music teacher in Louisiana, found 2 pregnant cats who had been chased by a bulldog under a truck. She kept one of the cats and named her Blackberry and half of her kittens were born short-legged. Hochenedel gave a short-legged male kitten from one of Blackberry's litters to a friend, Kay LaFrance, and she named the kitten Toulouse. It is from Blackberry and Toulouse that today's Munchkin breed is descended.

Toulouse was an unneutered cat with outdoor access and after some time a population of stray short-legged cats started to form. Thinking that they might have a new breed, Hochenedel and LaFrance contacted Dr. Solveig Pflueger, a show judge, chairperson of The International Cat Association's(TICA) genetics committee and advisor to the Board of Directors. Together with Dr David Biller, Head of Radiology at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, Pflueger conducted studies on the cats and determined that the short-legged trait has an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance and that the cats did not appear to have any spinal problems associated with those found in short-legged dog breeds such as the Corgi and Dachshund.

The Munchkin was first introduced to the general public in 1991 via a national network televised cat show held by TICA in Madison Square Garden. Critics predicted that the breed would develop back, hip and leg problems. Amidst much controversy, the Munchkin was presented for New Breed status by early breeders Laurie Bobskill and Robert Bobskill of Massachusetts and accepted into TICA's New Breed development program in September 1994. One veteran show judge resigned in protest, calling the breed an affront to breeders with ethics. The Munchkin achieved TICA Championship status in May 2003.

Apart from TICA, registries that recognize the breed includes The American Association of Cat Enthusiasts, UK's United Feline Organization, the Southern Africa Cat Council, and the Waratah National Cat Alliance in Australia. Several cat registries do not recognize the Munchkin: Fédération Internationale Féline, which refuses to recognise what they consider a breed based on a "genetic disease", achondroplasia. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy likewise refuses to recognise the breed, considering this breed and others like it to be "unacceptable" because they are based on an "abnormal structure or development". The breed is also not recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association.

Bold text==Genetics== The munchkin gene is an autosomal dominant one. Homozygous embryos for the munchkin gene are not viable due to gene lethality. No sign of these "missing" kittens or fetuses has been seen by Munchkin breeders, leading feline geneticists, including the late Dr. Solveig M. V. Pflueger, to speculate that the doubled Munchkin gene is a "pre-implantation lethal." Only kittens that are heterozygous for the munchkin gene develop into viable short-legged munchkin kittens. Because only heterozygous munchkin cats are able to pass on the gene, all litters with at least one munchkin parent have the possibility of containing all short-legged kittens, all normal-legged kittens(referred to as non-standard Munchkin)), or a combination of short-legged and normal kittens. A litter with two munchkin parents may be all short-legged, all normal, all non-viable embryos with two copies of the munchkin gene (in which case the pregnancy will terminate, the embroyo will be resorbed, and no kittens, living or stillborn, will be delivered), or any combination of the three.

Punnett squares, in which the M represents the dominant munchkin gene and the m represents the recessive normal gene, may be used to illustrate the chances of--50.176.26.212 (talk) 03:19, 18 July 2014 (UTC) Bold texta particular mating resulting in a short-legged cat. Embroyos bearing two copies of the munchkin gene (MM) will fail to develop. Kittens bearing one munchkin gene and one normal gene (Mm) will be short-legged munchkins. Kittens bearing two normal genes (mm) will be normal. Mm munchkin kittens will be able to pass on the munchkin gene to their own offspring. Normal mm kittens will not, as they do not have a copy of the munchkin gene.

For each egg fertilized from this mating, there is a 25% chance it wilchance develop, a 25% chance it will be normal, and a 50% chance it will be short-legged.

For each kitten born from this mating, there is a 0% chance it will be non-viable (unless it has a different, unrelated condition), a 50% chance it will be normal, and a 50% chance it will be a Munchkin.

Characteristics
The Munchkin has similar characteristics to normal domestic cats, due to their frequent use as outcrosses. It is a small to medium sized cat with a moderate body type and medium-plush coat. A male Munchkins typically weigh between 6 to 9 pounds (3–4 kg) and is usually larger than a female Munchkin, which typically weigh between 4 to 8 pounds. The hind legs can be slightly longer than the front which creates a slight rise from the shoulder to the rump. The legs of the Munchkin may be slightly bowed, although excessive bowing is a disqualification in the show ring. Cow-hocked legs are also penalized.

The Munchkin comes in all coat color and pattern. It also comes in a long-haired variety which is shown in a separate Munchkin Longhair category. TICA rules for outcrossing allows the use of any domestic cat that does not already belong to a recognized breed. Similarity to other breeds is grounds for disqualification. Non-standard Munchkins are not allowed to be shown

There are three sizes: Standard, Super Short and rug-hugger.

Health
Early speculations that the Munchkin will develop spinal problems commonly seen in short-legged dog breeds did not materialize. In 1995 several Breeders had their oldest Munchkins X-rayed and examined for signs of joint or bone problems and no problems were found.

Two rare problems documented in the breed are lordosis(excessive curvature of the spine) and pectus excavatum(hollowed chest) although actual prevalence is not known. These conditions can appear in other breeds and some breeders have denied that it is a problem for the Munchkin.

Although the genetic mutation causing the short-legged trait in Munchkins has been referred to as achondroplasia, it has not been proven that the trait is due to a gene at the same locus as causing achondroplasia in humans. Furthermore, while achondroplasia is typically associated with an enlarged head as well as short legs, this combination of features is not seen in Munchkin cats. The condition has sometimes been referred to as hypochondroplasia instead.

Small litter sizes when two munchkin cats are crossed indicate that embryos that are homozygous for the munchkin gene are non-viable.

There is controversy among breeders of pedigree cats as to what genetic mutations are abnormal and potentially disadvantageous to the cat.

Recognized crossbreeds
The Munchkin has been crossed with the curly coated LaPerm to create the Skookum, and the hairless Sphynx to create the Minskin.