Did You Know?
The Cymric and the Manx have everything in common, except that the former is the long-haired variety of the latter.
Size
The Manx weighs 8 to 12 pounds.
Coat
Soft, short double coat and long-haired double coat.
Color
The coat comes in a range of colors, including tabbies, solids, calicos, and tortoiseshells.
Life Span
8-14 years
The tailless cat, Manx is a friendly, affectionate feline whose name is derived from the Isle of Man. The gentle, playful cat is fond of human company. He loves to carry on a conversation with his favorite human. They live up to 8-14 years.
Physical Characteristics
Notable for his round contours and robust appearance, the Manx boasts a round head, round cheeks, large round eyes tilting slightly toward his widely spaced ears, which taper to a rounded rear end with a wide base. The widely spaced ears are set slightly outward while the outer corners of his eyes appear higher than the inner ones. One of his characteristic features is his taillessness. However, some members of this cat breed have up to five vertebrae at the end of the spine while some have three vertebrae. Some others do have a tail longer than the stump, though it is still smaller than that of a typical cat.
His thick coat comes in an array of colors and patterns, with calico, tabby, and tortoiseshell being the most common ones. The Manx has high hindquarters, with longer back legs compared to the forelegs, which creates a distinct appearance and the rump looks higher than the shoulders.
Both the longhaired and shorthaired varieties have dense double coats. While the longhair has a medium, silky coat, the shorthair has a hard, glossy outer coat.
Manx Cat Pictures
Personality and Temperament
The Manx has an alert nature, which makes him a “watch cat,” who reacts rapidly at the sight or sound of anything suspicious. With a Manx around, you do not need a watchdog. He exhibits dog-like qualities in his loyalty to the family and is your best companion, who loves his human pals and likes to follow his favorite person in the house. The Manx will be right in your lap when you are ready to relax. If no lap is available, he will curl up on a nearby spot where he can keep an eye on you.
The Manx will carry on a polite conversation and “speak” in a quiet trill.
He is a happy, playful cat who enjoys serene surroundings and interactive playful sessions. Their powerful hindquarters allow them to jump to great heights and make quick turns.
Although the Manx is always curious to open doors and cabinets, he is willing to accept boundaries. As an obedient pet, Manx will usually respect your wishes. By rewarding him for his good behavior, you can train him to stay respectful. Tell him “no” when he scratches your sofa or jumps on the kitchen counter, and he will be happy to respect your decision.
The highly people-oriented cat is fully devoted to his family. The Manx is known to enjoy the company of children and other pets who are friendly toward them. The agile and interactive kitty will always keep you entertained with their great sense of humor.
Health and Care
The Manx is a generally healthy cat breed, though they are more likely to have the following diseases:
- Corneal dystrophy may develop in a kitten who is 4 months old.
- Arthritis of the tailbone, especially in cats with a partial tail.
- Manx syndrome occurs in about 20 percent of Manx kittens. It is a kind of birth defect in which the spine is too short. The kitten may suffer from bowel and digestion problems and urinary tract defects. The condition usually surfaces when a kitten is 4 months old.
Additionally, weekly combing or brushing is needed to keep the short, soft coat of the Manx clean. Keep your Manx indoors to prevent him from infections and attacks by wild animals.
A healthy cat lives up to 8-14 years.
History and Background
The tailless Manx is an ancient cat breed that originated on the Isle of Man. The taillessness of the breed is due to a genetic mutation that originated in the shorthair cat population on the Isle of Man. The original cats on the island were shorthairs. However, the longhaired gene was introduced during the Vikings era. It was then that the longhaired cats left the Viking ships to comingle with native cats.
The Manx has the distinction of being one of the original show cats. Not only this, they were one of the founding breeds when the CFA came up in 1906. They also were the first show cat in Great Britain.
