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Manx (Cat) | anx | | lternative Nicknames: | | a href="/encyclopedia/Cabbit" title="Cabbit">Cabbit, Cymric (if long-haired) | | ountry of origin: | | a href="/encyclopedia/Isle-of-Man" title="Isle of Man">Isle of Man (lies in the Irish Sea) | | eight: | | mean of 5.5kg/12lb | | reed developed: | | efore the 1700s | | reed standards (external links): | a href="http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/standards/manx.html" title="http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/standards/manx.html">CFA, ACFA, TICA, CCA,
ACF, FIFe | Manx is a breed of cat with a naturally occurring mutation of the spine. This mutation usually shortens the tail to the extent where the cat becomes tailless. The hind legs are longer than the front legs, creating a continuous arch from shoulders to rump giving the cat a rounded appearance. In their gait, Manx cats move more like a hop than a stride when running, in this aspect they resemble more of a rabbit than a cat http://www.tiscali.co.uk/reference/dictionaries/animals/data/m0041174.html. Many Manx have a small 'stub' of a tail, but Manx cats are best known as being entirely tailless: it is their trademark. Origin The Manx breed originated on the Isle of Man, hence their name. They are an old breed, and tailless cats were common on the island as long ago as two or three hundred years. It is unknown exactly how the mutation originated, but one legend has it that it was the result of cats surviving a shipwreck centuries ago; these legends even state that Noah had influence on the tailless part by closing the door to the ark, thus, cutting off the tail, and genetically altering their DNA legacy forever. Other legends allege that cats and rabbits mated, and their offspring became the Manx cat; this is reasoned by the mere fact that Manx usually do not have tails, and longer hind legs, which gives them somewhat of a similar appearance to rabbits, especially when running. This was further backed up by the Cabbit myth. The most scientific explanation of this breed's evolution is that the lack of cats on Isle of Man became a problem, and thus, inbreeding became a very common thing—to the extent where a lack of tail became a natural trait with this breed. It is normal (not always) for cats to be born tailless, or have a shorter tail than usual when exposed to inbreeding, regardless of the breed. However, the taillessnes disappears with subsequent breedings for such cats http://moggycat13.tripod.com/id46.html. This is one of the reasons why not any tailless cat can be called Manx. Tail length The Manx (tailless) gene is dominant; kittens from Manx parents are generally born without any tail. There is no accurate rate to determine the amount of tailed to tailless kittens produced in each litter. However, tailed Manx bred to tailed Manx normally results in all tailed kittens, even though there are exceptions. Manx kittens are classified according to tail length. Tail lengths range from no tail whatsoever known as 'dimple rumpy' or 'rumpy', a small stub of cartilage or several vertebrae under their fur that may be felt when the kitten is happy as 'riser' or 'rumpy riser', a kitten with more of a tail than a riser but not a full tail as 'stumpy', and finally kittens with a complete or nearly complete tail are known as 'tailed' or 'longy' Manx. Breeders have reported all tail lengths within the same litter. The ideal show Manx is the rumpy. The stumpy and tailed Manx do not qualify to be shown. Depending on if the mutation is present, their kittens may or may not be tailed. In the past, kittens with stumpy or full tails have been docked at birth as a preventative measure due to some partial tails being very prone to a form of arthritis that causes the cat severe pain. However, tailed Manx cats have been being born for hundreds of years on the Isle of Man with no known documented problems. Most countries today have put a ban on altering animals for cosmetic appearances. Some United States breeders still practice docking Manx kittens tails as a rule. Although, this is on the decline as Manx breeders educate people that this breed can be born with a partial to full tail without removing it, and with no ill effects, yet still be a Manx cat. Docking tails on cats is not an exclusive practice performed on Manx; for whatever reason necessary, it can be performed on any cat breed for beneficial medical reasons not covered here in this article. The mutation that causes the Manx cat to be born without a tail is not present in every Manx kitten that is born. Therefore, not all Manx lack a tail. However, since they carry Manx genetics, their kittens or descendants can be born without a tail despite that their parents had tails. Some stumpy Manx can be born with kinked tails because of incomplete development of the tail during the fetus period. This is somewhat rare though, because of other tail lengths (or lack thereof), as well as straight-tailed stumpy tails being more regular and decreasing the chances. Health Purebred Manx of today are much healthier and have less health issues related to their genetic mutation than Manx of years ago. This is due mostly in part to careful selection of breeding stock, knowledgeable, and dedicated breeders. Manx have been known to live into their mid to high teens and are no more or less healthy than other cat breeds. Like any other cat, keeping Manx cats indoors, neutering or spaying, and providing acceptable surfaces for a cat's normal scratching behavior are vital to lengthen the life of any cat. Manx Syndrome As a remnant of the cat's inbreeding history, the genetic mutation that shortens the spine can have an excessive negative effect. It shortens the cats' spine, which in turn could lead to serious damage to the torso and the nerves including an 'open' spine, bowel and bladder problems, and spina bifida. Even the cat's digestion can have problems because of this. This is called Manx Syndrome, it is a defect and in worst case scenario, can be fatal. It is most likely to occur when two completely tailless Manx are bred together. For this reason, breeders generally breed a 'stumpy' or fully-tailed Manx with a 'rumpy' or 'rumpy riser' to minimize the chances of serious defects. Health problems will show up within the first months of life, known problems have been found mostly in 'rumpy' and 'rumpy risers'. On average, breeders usually don't place their Manx for sale before the age of 3 to four months old. It is good for a prospective cat owner to hold off getting a Manx until they are at least this age to be sure the kitten is healthy. Manx syndrome was very common in the early history of this breed, fortunately for the breed, in later years, it is less prevalent than it used to be, but it is not eradicated. Personality The Manx breed is a highly intelligent cat breed, it is playful, and in its behavior, very reminiscent of Dogs. It is considered a social feline, and the breed loves humans. It is also very prone to like water, many times even playing with it, and unlike many other cats, this breed is very easy to give a shower for hygiene purposes. Although not as much as dogs, it can also learn some easy commands like No. Other cat breeds that share similar personality traits are Bengal and Ocicat. If there are two Manx cats in a household, the owner might notice that the two (or more) Manx cats will chase each other heavily. This is a very common thing for Manx cats to do, being as they like to chase each other. This in turn could get strenuous for the owner, because the cats might go "berserk" in the house. However, Manx cats usually are very quiet cats, so this is normally their only vice. One very disliked habit by Manx owners is that the completely tailless variants may sometimes have problems with their bathroom hygiene, as a direct result of the lack of tail; many cats use their tail as an assistant aid of releasing their faeces, but since rumpy variants do not have a tail, parts of the poop may cling on to their fur (or the anus area), resulting in the Manx using whatever it can as "toilet paper" in order to get it off; like carpets, the litter box, furniture, et cetera. One must understand though, that this is not something the cat does out of spite, nor is it always the case with every rumpy Manx, it is just unavoidable for the cat if it has this problem. Coat There are two types of Manx coat lengths. The short hair Manx has a double coat with a thick, short under layer and a longer, course outer layer with guard hairs. The long haired Manx, known to some cat registries as Cymric, has a silky textured double coat of medium length, with britches, belly and neck ruff, with tufts of fur between the toes and full ear furnishings. CFA considers the Cymric a variety of Manx. It is referred to as being a long hair Manx and is shown in the short hair division with other short hair cats even though its hair is longer. TICA recognizes the long hair Manx as a Cymric, it is the same in all respects as the Manx, except the Cymric has a longer coat. TICA judges the Cymric with other long hair cats in the long hair division. Short or long-haired, all Manx have thick double layer of coat. Trivia - The Manx breed, in spite of the absence of tail, has no problems with balance at all.
- Manx has become in its native island adopted as a symbol. In Isle of Man, Manx cats appear on currency coins and stamps.
- There are other tailless cats, but only the Manx gene is inheritable; only Manx cats can have tailless kittens with subsequent breeding.
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