Buyer question
How long does a Munchkin live?
Our Animal Library gives the Munchkin a lifespan of 12–15 years.
Source: the Munchkin page in the Everybarn Animal Library. Munchkin in the Animal Library
The detail
A short-legged cat from a dominant gene first bred in Louisiana in the 1980s. Munchkins are playful and friendly, but the gene is a form of dwarfism, and major registries disagree about whether it should be bred.
- Origin
- Louisiana, United States, 1983
- Best fit
- Calm homes, informed buyers
- Temperament
- Playful, outgoing, curious
What to weigh
The short-leg gene affects bone and cartilage and is fatal in double copies. Veterinary groups raise concerns about spine and joint disease, and some countries restrict breeding.