Breeding Munchikns

Seeing the long-legged Munchkin kitten from Sandie's litter got me thinking.

I've heard that with Scottish Folds you shouldn't breed two folded cats to each other, because the kittens will be deformed. How about Munchkins? Do you breed two short-legged Munchkins together? Can you use long-legged Munchkins too in a breeding program? Just wondering. Genetics is fascinating, isn't it!

Well, no there hasn't been any real data that shows that breeding short leg to short leg has any real effect either way. Usually it has to do with the mom or the dad weather long or short leg. Some cats just seem to produce more or less short to long legged kittens. In order to produce short legged kittens, you need to have one of the parents with the dominant mutation (short legs). There has been some discussion on a problem that showed up in some kittens. They are calling it lordosis, but it is a gross curvature of the spine just below the neck. Some people are saying that it is because of the shortened legs. However, there is not enough proof. Many including me, have found that it was introduced by a domestic cat and is line related. If you do not introduce this problem into your lines, there are no affected kittens. It is always like x mas when the kittens are born because you never know what you are going to get..

I know Scottish fold breeders that breed fold to fold and have not had a problem - Perhaps the problem is inbreeding?
With munchkins, some of the top breeders right now are breeding short leg to short leg and are on fourth and fifth generation pedigrees and the cats are just fine. We are actually agenting one of them - a fifth generation munchkin to munchkin - what most people call calico (although technically she is a tortie with white). Many times breeders will use non-standard munchkins (what Sandie called long legs) in their breeding program - because they can still be registered as munchkins and maintain a clean line for their generation pedigree. Most problems, I think, are caused by not increasing your gene pool - that is why Sandie has started with cats from different pedigrees. She has tried to pick the best of the best.

Ok, I'm off, here I go, I can't keep my mouth shut about this. I have seen both Sandie's and Rene's munchkin's and they are absolutely beautiful and very lovable. Can't wait to see Sandie's new litter at the shows. She can start showing them at four months. I know both Sandie and Rene well and must say that all of their critters are very well kept, loved, etc. and Sandie only uses the best in her breeding program. If I didn't think Rene who absolutely is a great person who also has a cat rescued squad (and also helps rescue dogs), she would never be getting one of my aby's (or one of my mom's OSH) within the next two weeks. Hey Sandie, bring good pics of the new gang to dinner.

Frannie

Thanks for the info. So, what you're saying is that the short-legged gene is dominant and a breeding a Munchkin with a regular cat (non Munchkin long legged) will produce offspring that are all short legged but carrying the gene for the long legs as well, right? If you breed those short legged Munchkin to others like them, you should get 50% short legged Munchkins, 25% short legged carrying the long-legs gene and 25% long legged Munchkins, right? So, I guess you really can't tell what will come out when you breed Munchkins...

You kinda got it and no you just never know what percent is going to be short or long. I have seen 2 short legged parents have a litter of all long legs...it rarley happens, but it does. This is why I like the munchkin so much. Because of the domestic backgrounds you never know what you are going to get. They tend to be so loving and kittenish all the time. I suppose I am partial because I myself am only 5'5"..not very tall!!

Sandie, I just wanted to say the kitties on your site are just darling! I did have question though. In the 'About Munchkins' section, it says that the male munchkins don't carry the gene. Is that right? If is true, can you explain it to me because I don't understand. Thanks!

You know, I am glad you said something. When I first brought up my webpage, I used a bio from someone else. I need to change that. Yes, the Males can carry the gene. However, to produce kittens with short legs, one of the parents themselves must have short legs weather it be the male or female. I need to change that after this weekend, I am glad you asked!!