8 Razas Y Colores De Gatos Munchkin (con Imagenes)
By Dr. Paola Cuevas, MVZ (Vet)
Ultima actualización
Munchkin cats are an energetic, fun-loving breed best known for their short legs. First seen in the 1930s, this breed is the result of a natural and spontaneous genetic mutation. The Munchkin cat that we know today was discovered in Louisiana in 1983 by a music teacher named Sandra Hockenedel.
Breeders have continued to breed Munchkin cats despite the controversies surrounding them regarding their health and issues related to genetic mutation. With proper care, this breed has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
Physically, the most distinctive feature of this breed is its legs. The limbs appear arched and are only half the length of a normal cat’s. This cat is medium in size, has firm muscles and a rounded chest.
Munchkin cats come in a variety of patterns, colors, and coat lengths. Over the years, they have been crossed with other varieties of cat creating different styles.
Here we present the most common breeds and colors of Munchkin cats.
The 8 Munchkin Cat Breeds
1. Minskin
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Developed by Paul McSorley in 1998, this breed is native to Boston, Massachusetts. The Minskin was created by crossing Munchkin cats with three other breeds, Devon Rex cats, Burmese cats and Sphynx cats. This hybrid cross resulted in a cat with stunning pink or light peach fur and sparse patches of velvety fur.
Due to its diverse origin, this breed has a strange appearance with tiny legs and very sparse fur, which has made it very popular. Hairless on the entire body, except for the legs, face, ears and tail. People who love the Hairless Sphynx cat are more likely to love this breed as they are very similar in appearance except for the short legs.
The Minskin has piercing blue eyes, a short body, and short, stubby legs. Due to the lack of hair, he is hypoallergenic, making him a perfect cat for people with allergies. Even with the mixing of four different races.
Minskins are relatively healthy, with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years. However, due to their close relationship with the Sphynx cat, they are prone to a heart condition, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM).
As an intelligent breed, they tend to be mischievous and curious, which is entertaining. They are usually very alert and sociable; Therefore, they are likely to interact with strangers. Additionally, they are fun and loyal pets that adore their families, especially children. They also get along well with other pets.
The Minskin cat does not require brushing because they have only a small amount of hair. However, you will have to bathe them from time to time to care for their skin. Minskins are relatively small and weigh between 500 g and 2.7 kg.
2. Skookum
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The Skookum cat was created by crossing a Munchkin cat and a LaPerm cat.
Established by Roy Galusha in the United States of America during the 1990s, this breed features the curly coat of the LaPerm, and the short legs of the Munchkin. The name Skokuum originates from a Native American tribe, the Chinook, and means: something brave, enduring and powerful.
They have a medium-length, impressive and attractive coat with waves that remind us of sea waves on the sand. Skokuums have long fluffy tails and short legs, their fur comes in various patterns and colors. The breed has a distinctive cat color, which is known as the curly-haired dwarf cat. Females have more subtle curls, while males have more wavy curls.
Being one of the most cheerful Munchkin mixes, this breed is affectionate, social, and lovable. They are playful and love to run around the house. Skokuums are a great choice if you have children or if your house is frequented by strangers, as they are calm, sweet cats that love to snuggle. These are the characteristics that make them perfect for large families with multiple pets.
The Skookum cat has an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years. During this period, they remain relatively free of the health conditions associated with Munchkin cats. The average weight varies from 1.3 to 3 kg.
Despite having a curly coat, this breed requires very little maintenance. It is advisable to brush them once or twice a week to prevent them from getting tangled.
3. Baby
The Bambino cat is a hybrid resulting from a cross between Munchkin and Sphinx cats. Established by Pat and Stephanie Osborne in 2005, this breed inherited the short legs of the Munchkin and the alopecia (hairless skin) of the Sphinx.
This breed has different skin colors, completely hairless, and usually a mix of cream or black tones. These cats will need extra care due to exposed skin.
They must be cleaned frequently with a cloth to remove oily residue from their skin. If you go out with them in direct sunlight, they need sunscreen and to protect them from the cold, coats.
They also need regular baths to keep their skin healthy at all times.
The bambinos are playful and constantly run around the house. They are also gentle and affectionate, making them perfect for snuggling and enjoying cuddles.
When well cared for, Bambinos have a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years. However, they are prone to a genetic heart disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), inherited from the Sphynx cat.
Bambinos are small in size and weigh an average of 1 to 4 kg.
4. Dwelf
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Native to the United States of America, the Dwelf cat is a cross between a Munchkin cat, a Sphynx cat, and an American Curl cat. A rare breed, Dwelfs are difficult to find and can be very expensive. In terms of physical appearance, they present characteristic features of each breed, the short legs of the Munchkin, the alopecia of the Sphinx cat and the wide, rolled-back ears of the American Curl.
The name Dwelf comes from a mixture of the words “Dwarf” and “Elf” which in English mean: dwarfs and elves respectively, due to their unusual appearance. This breed weighs approximately 1 – 3 kg and is prone to bone and joint problems in addition to genetically inherited medical conditions.
Dwelfs are very outgoing and energetic. They are mischievous and will enjoy climbing, jumping and running around the house. Due to their personality, they love the company of humans.
Like Bambinos, Dwelfs need care and maintenance. Due to their lack of hair, these breeds are prone to sunburn when exposed to direct sunlight. They also need to dress to stay warm during the winter. Additionally, it is necessary to bathe them regularly to keep their skin clean and healthy.
5. Genetta
This breed of Munchkin kitten received its name from the scientific name of the musk cat ( Genetta genetta), a spotted wild cat of African origin whose habitat extends to Europe.
A cross between a Munchkin cat, a Bengal cat, and a Savannah cat, the Genetta cat has a distinctive marbled spot pattern, making it one of the most distinguishable Munchkin breeds. The goal of crossing was to create wild cats like the Genet with an indomitable personality.
Genetta kitten inherited the short, stubby legs of Munchkin cats and the exotic, spotted coat of the Bengal and Savannah cat breeds. It is because of this mix of genes that Genetta kittens have the appearance of little tigers. Its origin is attributed to Shannon Kiley of the Pawstruck Cattery in Texas, who created the first Genetta in 2006.
These cats have excellent temperaments and make great playmates for children and other pets. They love to snuggle and crave attention from their family members; Therefore, they do not like to be left alone for long periods.
Genetta cats weigh between 1.8 and 3.6 kg and their average life expectancy is between 12 and 16 years. They tend to live longer than common cat breeds. They require moderate maintenance which involves brushing their fur to prevent tangling.
6. Kinkalow
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Terri Harris of Florida established the Kinkalow breed in 1994. This breed got its name from the word “Kink”; which in English refers to curvature or curl, due to its curved ears and the word “low’; which in English means short, and refers to its short legs. A cross between an American Curl cat and a Munchkin cat, they are characterized by the short legs of the Munchkins and the curved ears of the American Curl.
Kinkalows are practically Dwelfs with fur. They’re adorable; curved ears and short bodies with tails that exceed their body length and make them appear shorter. Some cats of this breed do not develop curved ears, but they carry the gene.
Because this breed was experimental, it is rare to find them. Their coats develop different colors, which makes their physical appearance unique.
Kinkalow cats are known for their playful nature. However, they are not just mischievous; They love spending time with their owners and cuddling. If you are looking for a loving companion that will get along well with your children, Kinkalows are the perfect choice.
This breed generally weighs between 1.3 and 3 kg and has a life expectancy of approximately 12 to 15 years. They require weekly brushing sessions to remove knots and tangles from their coat.
Kinkalows are a normally healthy breed, but their ears require frequent cleaning to prevent infection.
7. Lambkin
The Lambkin cat is a cross between a Munchkin and a Selkirk Rex cat. He inherited the short, stubby legs and curly coat from his parent breeds. This breed was founded by Terri Harris in 1991, who also created the Kinkalow breed.
The name refers to the similarity between its curly fur and the wool coats of the lamb, which in English is called “Lamb”. The Lambkin’s coat is super soft and requires brushing at least every second day. Because of this, this breed requires high maintenance to preserve its clean and healthy coat. Additionally, they also require regular bathing to get rid of dirt that easily adheres to the coat.
Despite inheriting traits from the parent breeds, not all cats will develop Selkirk curls. Some will have straight hair like a Munchkin cat.
His personality is friendly, fun and playful. This breed has interesting attributes, they enjoy following you around the house as they do not like to be left alone. Therefore, if left alone for long periods of time, they will tend to misbehave and become destructive around the house. To prevent these aberrant behaviors, toys should be used to keep them occupied.
It is one of the cats with the longest life expectancy, about 15 to 20 years. In addition, it is among the heaviest Munchkin breeds and can weigh between 2.25 and 4 Kg.
As one of the newest cat breeds, Lambkins are rare and difficult to find.
8. Napoleon
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The Napoleon cat breed was created by crossing Munchkin cats and Persian cats. It was developed in 1995 by Joe Smith and has become one of the most popular cat breeds. Its appearance combines the tiny paws of the Munchkin and the adorable face with the short snout of the Persian.
These dwarf cats are typically medium to long-haired and come with coats in any variety of the colors common in today’s domestic cats. Additionally, they have circular faces with large, round, piercing eyes.
His personality is a combination of sweet, friendly and docile. Although these cats are not as active, they are still playful and will run around your house from time to time. They love the company of their owners and hate being alone. Because they are sociable, they get along well with small children and other pets in the home.
Napoleons love making friends with strangers and visiting your home. Make sure you can provide plenty of human interaction time before purchasing a Napoleon for your home.
The grooming and maintenance of the coat depends on the type of hair your cat has. Long-haired breeds need a daily brushing session, while for short-haired varieties, you can do it weekly. This cat weighs between 2.25 and 5 kg and has a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
Due to their Persian genes, wrasse are prone to more health problems. They are more likely to develop PKD (polycystic kidney disease), photophobia, lysosomal storage neuropathy, or ocular cataracts.
What are the most common coat colors of Munchkin cats?
Munchkin breeds come in a wide variety of coat colors and patterns. The most common include brindle, bicolor, calico, spotted, tortoiseshell, and tuxedo. With continued breeding, color varieties have continued to increase and become more unique.
The coats are also very varied. There are long-haired breeds that require constant grooming, while short-haired breeds have soft, plush coats. With crossbreeding, each breed has a different coat. Some breeds are completely hairless depending on the parent breed, while others have fluffy, curly fur coats.
Conclusion
Munchkin cat breeds are known for their unique appearance. If well cared for, they have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years .
Due to its genetic mutation and increased health risks, breeders have developed new varieties with crosses of other more common and popular cat breeds. Most of these breeds are relatively new, making them rare and difficult to find.
Due to their recent breeding and experimentation, we still lack enough information, especially about their health conditions. However, these existing breeds are unique with their protruding coats, ears, and characteristic short, stubby legs that distinguish them from typical common cats.
If you are considering purchasing a Munchkin cat breed, there are several breeds available. Most of them require little maintenance and will get along well with small children and other pets in your home. Each Munchkin breed is unique and distinctive if you are looking for an original and impressive cat breed for your home.
Main Image Credit: SV_zt, Shutterstock
