The "Toy Munchkin" was basically a small Pomeranian with a shaved butt.
Back in the late 90’s, when we had lots of money to spend trinkets and novelties, a new breed appeared on several shows. This dog looked very much like a Pomeranian in a lion clip. This breed was called the toy munchkin, and it cost several thousand dollars.
And it was it really nothing more than very small Pomeranian or Pomeranian X Chihuahua with a shaved butt. Here’s a picture of one.
So for several thousand dollars you could get a small Pomeranian or Pomeranian cross with lion clip. Whoever came up with that idea was a genius, a puppy miller extraordinaire. All you have to do is breed very small Pomeranians or small Pomeranians to small long-haired Chihuahuas, which don’t cost that much to buy, house, or feed and can be easily hidden from the authorities, and then charge very high prices for their offspring, which you groom in an unusual way.
I’ve not seen this “breed” advertised in nearly ten years. The web community was smaller then, but I think word got out that this toy munchin business was a scam. After all, anyone who knows anything about dogs could obviously see that all they were doing was clipping a Pomeranian.
But I’d like to know how many suckers fell for the Pomeranian with a shaved butt. I bet they would also fall for that Nigerian bulldog scam.
Mmm… I have similar opinions of the Lowchen. A very generic fluffy mopdog, just with a lion cut to make it look different than a Havanese or Coton.
But those poor puppies! Of course I loved the day the scam included an illegally lifted picture of one of MY dogs!
I am constantly fielding inquiries from friends and family members or friends of friends etc.. about one designer mix after another and my opinion.
My opinion is generally that they should go to a reputable shelter or rescue group, find something little and cute and call it whatever name they wish.
But if they are going to get a puggle or havasilk or goldendoodle, I advise them to demand the same standards, testing, clearances etc… from the designer breeder as they ought to from a purebred breeder. But I know darn well they’ll justify the purchase to themselves somehow.
But I do quibble with the idea that people are flocking to designer dogs because they are rejecting purebred dogs for health concerns. They usually will say that as a justification, but in most cases it seems it’s because they want something “unique” and “different” and hey, everyone’s doing it.
From Steve Martin:
Now repeat after me “I am an individual!” “I am unique!”
Most people can’t even be bothered to research health testing or what they should look for in a purebred. They prefer the line ‘Hybrids are healthier by default cuz of hybrid vigor!’ because that means they don’t have to think as much.
Also, most people’s opinions of purebreds are puppymill/BYB or petshop ‘purebreds’. Compared to those, of course those ‘hybrid vigor’ dogs seem like a better deal.
It’s really frustrating to me the level of willful ignorance so many pet owners in this country have.
lols
Came upon your site through your post about ear cropping; i just recently wrote a post about that myself!
It’s nice to find other (dog) people’s views that are similar to my own! I feel I will be visiting often. :)
Don’t forget the “I want it so I want it Now!” immediate gratification consumerism syndrome that has plagued us for the past 8 years. That has contributed greatly to the success of millers, hvbs, and bybs. It is to be hoped the current economic crisis makes the Great Unwashed think twice about walking into Petland with credit card in hand.
Hi,
I happened to come across your blog while doing a search for the Toy Munchkin (I don’t want to buy, I’m just curious). I have heard of them before. They were mentioned on a show on Animal Planet. I did a search for them then and I came across several breeders. I was looking at their websites and their prices started at $2,000 for a puppy. I didn’t really think about it at the time until I read your blog just now. Those dogs really do look like extra small Pomeranians. I’m kind of curious, I wonder if those ‘breeders’ are still in business. I haven’t heard anything on TV since that show.
What do you think about the ‘Designer Dogs’?
Rachelle Leech