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**UPDATE August 7, 1999**
(see below)
The purpose of this site is to provide some real world
information to those seeking the elusive "Toy Munchkin".
This "rare breed" is more and more often being
featured on talk shows and news segments. This is NOT
a site where you will find contact information about
this dog. This is also NOT a site where you will hear
wonderful things about how perfect this dog is. What
you WILL find here are some basic facts.
This site has been put together because many of us
in the dog and cyber communities are alarmed by the
growing publicity this "breed" is receiving.
Every time the Toy Munchkin appears on a talk show or
a news segment, the electronic bulletin boards are bombarded
by questions on how to find this dog. Each time this
happens, we patiently (okay....we try!) explain why
we do not think this is a valid "breed", and
all the problems we see with the breeders of these wee
dogs. Real, solid, informative facts about the Toy Munchkin
are very hard to get from the breeders. In fact, if
you run a search on the WWW for "Toy Munchkin",
most of what you will find are links back to the questions
posted on the BBs on this subject, and our many many
replies. This is why we have put together this site.
Here we will lay out our opinions on the Toy Munchkin,
the facts as we know and understand them, and then give
you some of the other options available to you in your
search for a canine companion for you and your family.
First let us explain to you what we know about the
Toy Munchkin. Not much. Why? Because all inquires made
to the breeders have gone unanswered. The breeders used
to have websites up on these dogs, but they have been
taken down. Many of us tried contacting the breeders
and received no replies back. The websites (when they
were up) also did not provide much information. The
basic information that was on those websites can be
summed up as follows: "very tiny", "oh-so
cute", and "like to ride on yachts".
They are touted as being an "ancient breed"
from either Asia or Europe, but there are no records
of this "breed" that can be found, and it
is not recognized by ANY registry (not AKC, FCI, CKC,
UKC or ARBA). The breeders claim that these dogs are
champions, but that can not be so, since they are not
registerable, and therefore not showable. And so the
first question is this....If this is not an ancient
breed of champion dogs from Asia, or Europe, what is
it??
Well, we're not entirely sure about this. But we have
our suspicions and our guesses. Keeping in mind that
"we"** are
a vast group of people from all over the world, with
wide and varied experience with many many types of dogs,
we have discussed this at length and come up with a
few educated guesses. The two most likely answers to
the question of "What is a Toy Munchkin" is
that it is either a Pomeranian/Chihuahua cross, or just
a small Pomeranian. Why do they look so "interesting"?
What is that great little "style" they have?
That one we CAN answer. It is called a "Lion Cut",
and it is nothing more than a haircut that any groomer
can provide. They simply shave all the hair off of the
hind end of the dog, leaving the plume on the tail and
the hair on the front of the body uncut. So what we
have is a very small mixed breed dog with a shaved butt.
And what do you get if you want to buy one of these
things? Again....not much. As was stated earlier, we
have not been able to get much information from the
breeders of the Toy Munchkin. But here is what we have
been able to find out. No genetic tests are run on the
parents or the pups, nor are health clearances or guarantees
offered. They apparently claim that there are no health
problems in the "breed", but without doing
any testing, how can they prove that? How can they know?
The breeders also, to the best of our knowledge, sell
only male dogs and sterilized females. All breeding
therefore must be done by the two "original"
breeders. This does not promote a very large or varied
gene pool, and would make any genetic health problems
worse in the "breed". There appears to be
no standard for these dogs other than that of "very
tiny", "oh-so cute", and "likes
to ride on yachts". There is no mention of any
standard weight, height, coloring, or temperament.
There ARE only TWO breeders of the Toy Munchkin, each
of whom claims to be the one who "discovered"
the dog, and introduced it to the other. No one else
has ever admitted to having ever heard of the breed
prior to its "discovery". The breeders of
the Munchkin provide no information as to where it was
developed, who developed it, or what breeds were used
in the development. They simply call it an ancient breed.
The internet sites that used to be up were pulled as
soon as the dog/cyber community started contacting them
and asking for information.
Now, we'd like to step back for a minute, and take
another look at this. Many people have accused us of
being "anti mixed breed". Nothing could be
further from the truth. Many of us proudly share our
homes with mixed breeds. In fact, we have nothing against
these poor little dogs at all. What we're against here
is what we feel are the irresponsible ethics of the
breeders. They have dogs of a questionable background
and lineage. They provide no real information about
the "breed", other than claims that no one
can verify. They sell dogs without any guarantees, and
keep all breeding to themselves. And what, you might
ask, does one pay for the privilege of owning one of
these questionable animals? The prices we've seen and
heard quoted are between $2,000 and $5,000. That is
a lot of money to pay for a dog with no health guarantees,
no genetic testing on any of the line, and no registry
or conformation to judge how your dog compares to others
of the same breed. We feel that these are signs of irresponsible
breeders, who seem not to have the best interest of
the dogs and the potential owners in mind. Responsible
breeders spend years learning about their breed, and
what is desired in the line. They research carefully
and do extensive health checks on dogs before they breed
them. They show their dogs in order to compare them
to others of the same breed and to the conformation
standard of the breed.
We have no problem with someone wanting to pay lots
of money for a dog. We have nothing against people who
want a "pavement special" mutt. We just think
that people should know what they are (and are NOT)
getting when they purchase a Toy Munchkin. Thousands
of dollars is a lot of money to hand over to people
who seem interested not in providing a sound dog as
companion, but only in their own profits.
We ask you please to think very carefully about what
we have said here. There are hundreds of thousands of
dogs in need of homes in this world. There are dogs
and pups in every shelter in this country and others
waiting to be adopted. There are responsible breeders
available who will happily and openly answer your questions
about their breed and their own lines. It isn't necessary
to support breeders like these. If you really want a
little toy dog to share your life and your home, then
please check into either adopting a small mixed breed,
adopting a pure breed rescue, or purchasing a small
dog. We are providing for you here some links to other
sites with information on other breeds of dog. You will
find some wee doggies, some giant beasties, and all
manner in between. Please check into rescue as well
as purchasing from a breeder. Feel free to contact "us"**
and ask us any questions you might have. We are more
than happy to help you in your search for an alternative
to the Toy Munchkin.
Toy Munchkins- Buyer
Beware Barkerick
(written by Lazerpoodle)
Oh dear! You've discovered:
"Toy Munchkin!"
A cross-breed which costs: A big Bunchkin!
Their web sites are down,
Cause wee dog folk barked this Sound:
"Half Chihuahua/Half Pom: Out-to-Lunchkin!"
Their web site said: "Toy
Munchkins, such Tots!,
Will fit nicely upon their owner's Yachts!"
In my humble O., Those breeders don't know,
Their half-asked breeds from their little Whot's-Whot's!
If you wish a sound toy
breed; Delightful;
Get a Pom, or a Peke. Buy a bike Full!
For what Munchkin breeders peddle,
Shall win no AKC medal!
Take paws from these posters; Insightful.
LP~
Recommended Reading
Thoughts About Breeders
Dog Breeds
Rescue Resources
Other Helpful Resources
**Who are "We"??
"We" are a group of people, some of whom
have met, some of whom have not. We are from all over
the world, and have all kinds of dogs. Some of us are
"professionals", working with dogs, or breeding
them. Some of us are simple pet owners. What binds us
together is our love of dogs, and our desire to share
our love and knowledge with others. You can think of
us as the Cyber Dog Community, and we are providing
for you here some of the places where you can find us.
We welcome new members to our group! ;)
Bulletin Boards
A Note To Munchkin Supporters
We have done as much research as we have been able
to regarding this "breed". We have done extensive
searches on the web, and have come up with very little.
There is one "standard" that we have found
that appears to us to be little more than a standardized
advertisement that is released on the dogs, especially
when compared to the standards that are available for
other breeds. It contains the same information given
on the talk show circuit, and can be found on the web,
and also in some "breed guide" magazines.
In our opinion it is vague, and makes some unrealistic
claims. If any breeders of the Toy Munchkin feel like
we have given an unfair opinion of the dog, or the breeders,
or have made false claims, we would welcome a chance
to discuss the issues. As we have stated previously,
we have tried unsuccessfully to contact the breeders
to ask questions about these dogs. You may find us at
the above links, or you may contact the author of this
page at lead@sunshineband.org.
Munchkins Uncovered - The True Story
(MUTTS)
If you'd like to join the campaign, feel free to link
to this site. Please also feel free to refer people
to this site whenever the issue of the Toy Munchkins
comes up.
We ask that this site be linked to or printed out as
a whole, since we have tried to be careful with the
"facts" that we've presented. This site will
be updated with any new information that comes to light.
Also, if you have sites which you think would be good
resources, especially about specific small breeds, PLEASE
email the host of this page at lead@sunshineband.org.
Thank you for your assistance in supporting responsible
breeding and pet ownership.
**UPDATE 8/7/99**
The Toy Munchkin is back online.
Actually, they have been for a while, and I apologize
for not updating this article sooner, but sometimes
life happens.
One of the Toy Munchkin breeders does have a website
up (TDR Toy Munchkins*) once again.
From the site I gathered that puppies currently "cost
$2000-$4000, depending on the quality and size."
Another change is that a "health and size written
guarantee is provided with each pup." The website
does not state what the terms of the guarantee are.
The biggest "news" on the site is that the
dogs are now "registered". Yes, indeed. Direct
from the source; "ALL Toy
Munchkins are registered with the Federation of International
Canines. If you choose to buy from another breeder,
BE SURE your puppy will be registered with the F.I.C.
If not, it is is not a Toy Munchkin!!!"
PLEASE NOTE that this is NOT the FCI*
(Federation Cynologique Internationale), which is an
internationally recognized organization. The FIC*,
on the other hand, has a HUGE list of breeds that they
recognize. Their website lists over 400 breeds, but
does not (that I found) say how many actual members
they have, or how many of the breeds listed they actually
have on their registry books. There's a big difference
between a registry recognizing a breed, and having any
of that breed actually registered. The FIC website has
breed profiles of only three breeds on their list: the
Alaskan Klee Kai (miniature Husky), the American Lamalese
(Lhasa Apso / Maltese cross) and the Ori Pei (Pug /
Shar Pei cross). The rest of the list looks for the
most part to be a list of all breeds that they could
find. I'll grant that most of them are breeds that I
recognize, but then I'm a breed-recognition junkie.
Nearly all of the listed breeds are covered in The Book*,
but many of them aren't found in this country.
Of course, being "registered" doesn't make
a dog a champion. The FIC doesn't appear to offer it's
own shows, but rather recognizes shows sponsored by
any other recognized registry. I'm not a dog-show expert,
but I would dearly love it if someone who is could go
over the FIC policies and give a report on them as compared
to other registries. From what I can figure out, you
take your dog to whatever shows you choose, and then
send in a "winsheet" from that show to the
FIC to get points towards your FIC titles. How convenient.
(*sarcasm*) And since no other registries recognize
the Toy Munchkin, there is still no way to judge them
against a breed standard or other members of the breed.
The point of this article is not to dissect suspect
registries, but I do find this one highly suspect. Seems
to be mostly a way for breeders of mixed breeds to be
able to claim their dogs are "registered"...much
like the WKC (World Kennel Club).
The Toy Munchkin website still does not give an actual
breed standard, and the dog is said to be "a European
breed that [was] brought over and downsized." They
are sold with "restricted papers", meaning
that if you want to breed your TM, you must first have
permission from the breeder, or the dog won't be registerable
with the FIC (oh, there's a loss *more sarcasm*). Contact
information is given for TDR Toy Munchkins (email, phone,
and address), but I have not contacted them. I do not
have the time to do so, but if someone else does, I
would make an attempt to update this article with any
pertinent information gathered.
*References Made in This Update
(So you can check out the information for yourself.)
- TDR
Toy Munchkins
- FCI (Federation
Cynologique Internationale)
- FIC (Federation
of International Canines)
- "The Book" is The Atlas of Dog Breeds
of the World
by Bonnie Wilcox, DVM and Christ Walkowicz
© 1995 by T.F.H. Publications, Inc.
~~~Lead
August 7, 1999
Copyright © 1997, 2001 by OffLead Productions.
Reprinted with permission of the author.
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