Munchkin vs European Shorthair - Breed Comparison

Munchkin vs European Shorthair - Breed ComparisonEuropean Shorthair is originated from Sweden but Munchkin is originated from United States. Both European Shorthair and Munchkin are having almost same weight. European Shorthair may live 3 years more than Munchkin. Both European Shorthair and Munchkin has same litter size. Both European Shorthair and Munchkin requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

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Sweden
United States
Weight Male:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
3 - 4 kg
6 - 9 pounds
Weight Female:
4 - 6 kg
8 - 14 pounds
3 - 4 kg
6 - 9 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 18 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
2 - 6
Other Names:
Housecats
Sausage cat
Colors Available:
brown or copper or blue. , yellow, black ad blue with eyes that are green, red, White, cream
All colors and patterns
Coat:
Short with no undercoat
Short and long haired
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
No
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

european shorthairThe European Shorthair is a cat breed that hails from Sweden but it also has roots that go back to the Roman Empire.

It is referred to as a natural cat breed, which means that the cat came about naturally without any human intervention.

The cat has had great hunting skills and this has what has made it sought after as a cat to keep rodents at bay. It became a famous housecat as well.

munchkinInformation about the short-legged Munchkin cat has been around since the 1940s. A British veterinary report in 1944 noted these short-legged cats.

During the 2nd World War, the cats disappeared but other short-legged cats were seen in Russia during 1956 and then the United States in the 1970s.

The cat was introduced to the general public in 1991 but for many years it wasn't accepted in cat competitions. Eventually, the Munchkin was proposed as a new breed by foundation breeders and accepted by TICA into its New Breed development program in 1994. The Munchkin breed achieved TICA Championship status in May 2003. The Cat Fanciers Association doesn’t recognize the Munchkin.

Description

european shorthair kitten - descriptionThese domestic cats of Europe are a medium- to large-sized cat, weighing between 4 and 6kg, though some can be heavier.

The European Shorthair has a fairly large head and medium-sized ears. The body is robust and round shaped. The cat’s short coat without an undercoat comes in a range of colors and patterns such as white, cream, red, black and blue with eyes that are green, yellow, brown or copper or blue.

Temperament:

The European Shorthair is known for its adaptable nature and the cat is able to fit into different lifestyles with ease. It's a cat that will live happily with children, pets, adults and seniors.

The cat loves his human family and loves becoming involved with fun games and activities. It's an intelligent cat too and cat food puzzles help him to think about how to get his food.

Even though your cat is social with his human family, it becomes fairly shy and nervous of strangers.

munchkin kitten - descriptionThe Munchkin is a small to medium-sized, muscular cat with a thick coat that comes in all colors and patterns. In fact, color, pattern, and coat length will vary.

There is also a long-haired variety. It usually weighs between 3 and 4kg. It has short, stubby little legs and a torso that hangs fairly low to the ground. The cat’s back legs are somewhat longer than the front legs. The legs of these cats can be slightly bowed. The eyes can be any color.

Temperament:

The Munchkin is such a social, outgoing cat that just loves being petted and pampered by his human family. He is sociable and friendly as well as intelligent and is easy to train. While he is an amicable cat and can get on well with everyone in the family, it isn’t a good idea to have such a cat as a playmate for children as they can become injured.

An interesting feature with this cat is the way he doesn’t really sit like other cats but has a way of sitting up on his legs, much like a rabbit.

Characteristics

european shorthair cat - characteristicsThe European Shorthair is such a sweet cat and he is able to adapt fairly easily to new environments. It is such an ideal cat for households with singles, couples, families, and seniors as it adapts its personality to suit, getting on well with other pets as well.

The cat loves his human family and wants to please, but loves to play too, being active and playful. Having one of these cats in your home is like bringing in a treasured gem.

munchkin cat - characteristicsThe Munchkin may be short and stock but he is just as active and playful as any other cat. When you have him in your home, you'll discover that his short little legs don't stop him from trying out everything other cats do.

He is ready to show you what he's made of. He is a confident, social cat and is friendly, intelligent, and loving towards his human family. He makes a devoted companion and he will get along with other cats in the family as well as dogs.

He may be a bit odd to look at but if you want an excellent companion, the Munchkin is well worth your consideration.

Health Problems

european shorthair kittens - health problemsEven if your European Shorthair appears to be well, it is a good idea to get used to taking your cat to the vet for an annual check-up.

To provide your cat with the best chance to remain healthy, good diet and exercise is imperative. Look out for an itchy skin too as this could well be a sign that your cat is being plagued by parasites. Parasites can be a terrible problem and it will need to be attended to by your vet.

Parasites and an itchy skin can be a nightmare for your pet and make him most miserable with excessive scratching and licking as well as thinning of hair.

A new kitten will also require being vaccinated to ensure he remains healthy. These injections protect your cat from life-threatening diseases. Usually, vets start vaccines at between 8 – 12 weeks of age to protect your cat against the likes of Feline Leukaemia Virus, Feline Infectious Enteritis and Cat Flu.

There are also other vaccinations you might want to consider such as rabies and chlamydia.

munchkin kittens - health problemsBecause this is a fairly new breed, it's still not too clear about its health. It was once thought that the Munchkin cat could develop spinal problems because of its short legs.

It was in 1995 that some breeders had some of their older Munchkins x-rayed to see if there were any signs of joint or bone problems, but none were found.

The Munchkin cat should also be vaccinated as a kitten and be treated for parasites. To ensure the good health of your sweet little Munchkin cat, give him the best diet possible.

In fact, if you take good care of your Munchkin and you make sure to get all the necessary vaccines for him and get him to the vet when he shows signs of illness, your munchkin can reach 12 to 15 years of age.

Caring The Pet

european shorthair cats - caringEuropean Shorthairs like to groom themselves, but even so, you want to brush your cat once a week to keep the hair shiny and healthy. Make sure to trim your cat’s claws at the same time. It’s your time to feel for any unusual lumps or scratches on your feline friend’s skin. Check his eyes and make sure they are still bright and clear, look inside the ears to make sure they aren’t becoming clogged with dirt and wax and look inside the mouth to ensure no signs of gum- and tooth disease.

Your cat may well be outgoing with his human family, but his nervousness with strangers will require you providing him with a safe haven of his own. This might be his own bed which should be in a safe, dry, quiet area where he can retreat and feel more secure.

European Shorthairs love being outdoors and particularly if you have a female you’ll want her spayed to avoid her becoming pregnant. Cat shelters are already full of unwanted kittens and you don’t want to add to the burden. Also, have your male neutered too as he is ar less likely to want to roam. Spaying and neutering come with many health benefits too.

Be very careful of your cat’s diet. This is because the domestic cat is a carnivore and still essentially a predator, liking to hunt for their meat. They require a meat diet. However, cats have special dietary requirements and they require a balanced diet. All cats are individuals and they have different food likes and preferences, but they all need the best food there is to remain in peak condition. If you feed your cat commercially manufactured food, always follow the instructions on the label.

Provide your feline pet with cat accessories – food and water bowl, collar and tag, soft bedding, a climbing tree, scratching post, litter box, grooming accessories and toys.

munchkin cats - caringEvery cat is unique and the Munchkin is a unique cat, This little cat is a carnivore just like any other cat and his diet must be made up mostly of protein.

Speak to your vet about the best food for your Munchkin because a kitten will require a different diet to a senior Munchkin. Also, you don’t want your Munchkin to put on too much weight as this can be detrimental to his joints.

Not only that, being overweight comes with all kinds of health issues. The manufacturers of commercially manufactured cat foods have made sure that they have brought out foods for every stage of a cat's life and age.

Munchkin cats will need to have their fur brushed at least once a week. Trim the claws at the same time.

Provide your sweet little Munchkin with a litter box and keep the litter box immaculately clean, removing the feces every single day.

Comparison with other breeds

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  2. European Shorthair vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  3. European Shorthair vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  4. European Shorthair vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  5. European Shorthair vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  6. European Shorthair vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  7. European Shorthair vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  8. European Shorthair vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  9. European Shorthair vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  10. European Shorthair vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  11. European Shorthair vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  12. European Shorthair vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
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  17. European Shorthair vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  18. European Shorthair vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
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  24. European Shorthair vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  25. European Shorthair vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison
  26. Munchkin vs Abyssinian - Breed Comparison
  27. Munchkin vs Aegean - Breed Comparison
  28. Munchkin vs African Serval - Breed Comparison
  29. Munchkin vs Chausie - Breed Comparison
  30. Munchkin vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison
  31. Munchkin vs American Curl - Breed Comparison
  32. Munchkin vs American Keuda - Breed Comparison
  33. Munchkin vs American Longhair - Breed Comparison
  34. Munchkin vs American Polydactyl - Breed Comparison
  35. Munchkin vs American Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  36. Munchkin vs American Wirehair - Breed Comparison
  37. Munchkin vs Applehead Siamese - Breed Comparison
  38. Munchkin vs Ashera - Breed Comparison
  39. Munchkin vs Asian - Breed Comparison
  40. Munchkin vs Asian Semi-Longhair - Breed Comparison
  41. Munchkin vs Australian Mist - Breed Comparison
  42. Munchkin vs Balinese - Breed Comparison
  43. Munchkin vs Bengal - Breed Comparison
  44. Munchkin vs Bicolor - Breed Comparison
  45. Munchkin vs Birman - Breed Comparison
  46. Munchkin vs Blue Russian - Breed Comparison
  47. Munchkin vs Bombay - Breed Comparison
  48. Munchkin vs Brazilian Shorthair - Breed Comparison
  49. Munchkin vs Bristol - Breed Comparison
  50. Munchkin vs British Longhair - Breed Comparison