Manx

Go to Manx Breeder Listings

Go to Manx Retired Friends List

The Manx is distinguished by its lack of a tail. This natural mutation is thought to have originated on the Isle of Man, hence the name Manx. Because of the island's relative isolation, the breed thrived here. The first documented picture comes from an 1810 painting; while no one knows how long the tailless cats have been on the Isle of Man, linguistic evidence suggests they may have been introduced sometime after 1750.

The "Manx gene" produces cats with tails of varying length, from the "longie" (normal tail) to the "stumpy" (short tail) to the "rumpy" (no tail). Manx cats are very stocky and rounded in appearance, with short backs and long hind legs that make them appear rabbit-like.

Although taillessness is a trait of the Manx, not all tailless cats are pedigreed Manx. Only registration paperwork issued by a legitimate registry certifies a true Manx.

The thick coat can be either short or semi-long, though in some associations the longhairs are known as Cymrics. Manx are available in a variety of colors and patterns.

The shorthaired variety of the Manx has been accepted by most associations for many years; longhaired Manx have taken a little longer. The longhaired Manx was accepted by CFA as a division of the Manx in 1994.

Photo © Chanan

Interesting fact: A common urban legend is about a breed called the "Cabbit" -- a crossbreed between a rabbit and a cat. So-called Cabbits are almost certainly either Manx or cats exhibiting Manx trait. Cross-breeding between rabbits and cats is genetically impossible; these are two different species are too distantly related. Click here for a great Cabbit article.

Associations: The Manx is accepted by most major cat registries. In AACE, ACFA, and TICA, the Manx and the Cymric are recognized as separate breeds.

Books about this breed from amazon.com

• Manx Cats: Everything About Purchase, Care, Nutrition, Grooming, and Behavior by Karen Commings

Breed Information

• Manx Cat Breed FAQ
• Breed Article: Manx (CFA)
• Choosing a Cymric (PetPlace.com)
• Choosing a Manx (PetPlace.com)
• Cymric Breed Synopsis (ACFA)
• Cymric: A Man-Made Tail (Cats & Kittens)
• Manx Breed Profile (CFA)
• Manx: Make It Manx, Thanks! (Cats & Kittens)
• Manx Grooming Tips (CFA)

Show Standards

• Manx Breed Standard (AACE)
• Cymric Breed Standard (AACE)
• Manx Breed Standard (ACFA)
• Cymric Breed Standard (ACFA)
• Manx and Cymric Breed Standard (ACF)
• Manx Breed Standard (CFA)
• Manx and Cymric (Longhair Manx) Breed Standards (TICA)

Clubs/Associations

• American Manx Club (CFA)

 

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