Cat Child or Minskin, the cross between Sphynx and Munchkin
From the cross between Sphynx and Munchkin (and not only) comes the so-called Baby Cat, also known by the name of Minskin and very particular
There’s a sweet little Kitty with a truly one-of-a-kind appearance, known as the Baby Cat. It is a particular cross between Sphynx and Munchkin and this alone would be enough to make us fall in love with it.
Imagine this feline, (almost) without hair covering it and with the typical short and stocky legs of the Dachshund cat. A mix created in quite recent times which, with an unusual appearance, combines an affectionate and sociable character.
Have we intrigued you? So here’s everything you need to know about Baby Cat (or Minskin): from the origins of the breed to the physical characteristics and temperament, as well as of course the specific care it needs.
Index
History and origins of the Baby Cat
As anticipated, the Baby Cat has a rather recent history that begins to be exact in 1998 when Paul McSorley – American photographer and breeder, as well as a great cat lover – decides to create a new type of cat. This Kitty should have had small legs and be almost “naked”, with the fur more evident in some parts of the body and with a shaded coloration similar to that of the Siamese.
It took a few years before McSorley was able to obtain the specimen he had imagined in his mind, crossing specimens of Sphynx and Munchkin. From the first he stole the “nudity”, while from the second he took the typical short and stocky legs of the Dachshund of the feline world. To complete the whole, however, he also made use of further crossings with specimens of Devon Rex and Burmese.
In 2005 the breed finally consolidated, also thanks to the help of some expert breeders, and today the Baby Cat is a real rarity, much appreciated all over the world. There is one question still open, however, about this new Micio: the TICA (The International Cat Association) has officially recognized the feline breed as “experimental” (Preliminary New Breed), while the CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) and all the other associations consider any crossing with “dwarf” cats unethical and therefore to be avoided.
Because the Baby Cat is called Minskin
Although the Baby Cat is not internationally recognized, it has a precise name: Minskin. Paul McSorley fused the two words together thumbnails And skins, meaning “miniature” and “skin” respectively. It is not difficult to understand why, as they perfectly reflect the two main characteristics of this new and adorable Micio!
Appearance and characteristics of the Baby Cat
Speaking of characteristics, let’s find out in more detail what a Minskin looks like. We have already said a lot about the two main ones: the Baby Cat has an appearance small and a little clumsy due to the very short legs, while the skin is almost visible because it has a very short hair and absent in some parts of the body.
The specific dimensions speak of a cat that does not exceed 18-20 centimeters in height and the 2.5 kilograms of weight. In practice it is as if it were a cat that never fully grows, remaining just as small as a puppy. Even the expression remains typical of kittens, with large and very sweet eyes and a round head, while the large, triangular ears they are typical of the Sphynx from which it comes. The latter also owes its “nudity”, even if it is not completely hairless (it grows longer on the head, muzzle, legs and tail while it is usually hairless on the tummy) and can be of different colours.
Minskin character
The character of the Baby Cat is exactly as you are imagining it: affectionate, sociable, active and playful. The Minskin gets along with pretty much anyone and is always happy when it comes to meeting or interacting with strangers, no matter if they are people, cats or other animals. THE his favorite humans are children – obviously – but in general he loves anyone who fills him with attention and cuddles.
The Minskin also has a marked sensitivity, we could hazard a real gift of “empathy” which allows him to perceive every state of mind of the people who take care of him, from the happy ones to the saddest and most negative ones. If on the one hand loves to climb and hop around from one part of the house to the other, on the other hand the Baby Cat will always be ready to meet you when you need a little cuddles and to be consoled!
How long does the Baby Cat live
Despite its small and slightly awkward appearance, the Minskin is a rather robust cat and its life expectancy is around 12-14 years old. Naturally we are talking about a fact that could undergo variations: the breed has existed for almost twenty years and is still under careful monitoring by the TICA.
Having said this premise, let’s not forget however that like all cats, the Minskin also needs care and specific attentions and that his life expectancy may depend, at least in part, on these. First there is the issue of “nudity”, which exposes the skin to both the highest temperatures, making it sensitive to sun and sunburn, than to the lower and colder ones. Both in summer and in winter, the Baby Cat needs protection and this is why it tends to be said that it is an apartment cat, which should avoid unscheduled outings.
Ears are another weakness of this Micio because, being very large, they collect greater quantities of dust, dirt and debris. For this reason they must be cleaned regularly with the appropriate products, thus preventing infections and other health problems.
Minskin, health and cures
On the health of the Baby Cat there is another small chapter to open. As generally happens to specimens derived from crosses, the Minskin is also exposed to the health problems and diseases typical of the breeds from which it comes: spinal lordosis (Munchkins), heart disease (Sphynx, Devon Rex).
Studies on the breed are still ongoing but, as with all cats, here too we can only recommend regular visits to the vet.
