Standards

General  

Munchkin is a short-legged cat. Its distinctive short legs developed from a spontaneous autosomal dominant mutation which has occurred several times in the domestic cat 

Points 

Head:  

20 

Shape  

Top of head 

Modified wedge with gently rounded contours, in proportion with body. High, defined cheekbones. The forehead is flat. 

10 

Muzzle and chin 

Moderate with gentle contours in proportion with head. Prominent whisker pads are acceptable. 

7 

Profile  

The profile shows a slight stop. The nose is of medium length.  

3 

Eyes 

Walnut shaped and well open, giving an alert expression. They are set wide apart and at a slight slant to the base  of the ear. All eye colours are permitted. No relationship between coat and eye color. 

10 

Ears 

The ears are in proportion to the head, broader at the base with rounded tips. The ears are set relatively upright at the corners of the head and not flared. Lynx tips are acceptable on Longhair cats only. Ear tufts are tolerated. 

5 

Body: 

35 

Size and boning 

The medium-sized cat is muscular and has a solid, slightly elongated body with medium bones. The body is not compact. 

10 

Torso 

Back gently slopes upwards from shoulders to tail. Well-rounded chest and firm hips. Angulated shoulder blades are acceptable. The spine is unaffected and similar in form and flexibility to that seen in other domestic cats. 

10 

Neck 

Firm musculature on males, slightly less on females. 

2 

Legs and paws 

Short, set evenly apart when viewed from front or back. Upper and lower forelegs equal in length. Hind Legs: Thigh and lower leg approximately equal in length. Back legs slightly longer than front legs is acceptable. Feet are round, compact in proportion with body. All four feet pointed directly straight forward, not inward or outward. 

13 

Tail 

Tapering to a rounded tip. Not overly thick. Length of the body. 

5 

Coat: 

20 

Length 

Medium to short.  

5 

Texture  

Semi-plush, allweather, resilient, with medium undercoat and lustrous appearance. Solids may have a less dense coat. 

10 

Colour 

All colours and patterns are recognized. Any amount of white is permitted. 

5 

Condition  

See general part. 

5 

Total  

100 

Special breed faults 

Round head 
Snub or excessively long nose. 
Round eyes.
Cow hocks. 

Without certificates 

Short, cobby body. 
Curly coat. 

Disqualify 

Sway back. 
Excessive bowing. 
Appearance of being a recognized breed in head and torso (apart from European Shorthair) 

Remarks 

Long legged offspring of the MNL may be used in the breeding programme, but not shown. 

Outcross 

Domestic longhair/shorthair, not a member of a recognized breed.