 Manx
Cat
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.
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.
Provided with permission
of Barbara French, Copyright © 2005 Fanciers Breeder Referral List
Breedlist.com
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