Short cats: munchkin, bambino

In nineteen eighty-three, a new breed appeared in the USA (Louisiana) - short-legged cats (munchkin). These are surprisingly sociable, friendly and affectionate creatures. They are very attached to their master. The main feature of this fairly rare breed is shortened limbs. In this case, all the other bones of the skeleton are completely normal. This phenomenon is explained by mutation.

Sometimes these funny animals are called "cat-dachshunds". Their movements are a bit like ferrets. They can have both long and short wool of a variety of colors. Once you see it, you will never forget how the short-legged cats look. Their appearance amazes everyone. When the animal lies, it is no different from a normal cat, but it is worth it to stand up, as his short legs immediately rush into the eyes. This, perhaps, is its only difference from other breeds. Such a physiological feature does not in the least prevent a baby from enjoying life.

There are two varieties of these animals - they are longhaired and short-haired. In Germany, short-legged cats have been called "kangaroos" for their peculiarity - they sit down "in a column" and inspect their territory. In this position they can be for a long time. Short-tailed cat, whose price exceeds 30,000 rubles, is not yet very common in Russia.

The birth of munchkin is dictated by the presence in the genotype of achondroplasia - the dominant gene. If at least one parent belongs to this breed, then in the litter will necessarily be short-legged cats. It is believed that they should be born as much as the birth of ordinary animals, but this happens very rarely.

Short limbs in no way affected the mental development and intelligence of the animal. Sometimes such not grown representatives of a feline are called dwarfs, but this is not correct. Real dwarfs have reduced all parts of the body.

Munchkins are moving and cheerful animals. Very fond of games. They do not jump well, but run well, crawl through trees and climb into narrow cracks. If your house has other animals, then you can be sure: Munchkin will necessarily become a leader. Short-legged cats perfectly get along with dogs, love to play with children.

There is another kind of these amazing creatures. This is a bambino, a short-legged cat, whose photo you can see in our article. Charming babies are bred by crossing the Canadian sphinxes and munchkins. The breed was founded by Elena Chernova, the curator of the Sphinx Center. In 2005, the first bambino was registered in our country. This can be considered a major event, as Russian felinologists rarely succeed in becoming the founders of a new breed.

In the United States, the development of this species is very slow - the big Sphynx breeders are obstructing, and besides, there is still not enough supporters of this breed who are ready to invest in this population.

Bambino have incredible grace and plasticity, which more closely resembles the predator's grace (for example, martens). Animals are endowed with high intelligence. Very easy to assimilate simple commands, well remember the established by the owner the regime of the day. They treat people kindly, they often single out one person in the family. Character cheerful, lively, active. Excellent get on with other pets, and children are delighted with these babies.