A cat called Blackberry was the foundation cat for the breed we now know of as the Munchkin. This short-legged pregnant feline was found in 1983 by Sandra Hockenedel from Lousiana. In 1991, the breed was first introduced to the public. The cat was unveiled during the TICA Madison Square Garden televised cat show. The initial response to the breed was mixed. Critics predicted that the cat would develop health problems. These concerns included back, hip, and leg problems like conditions that affect Dachshunds (sausage dogs).