The Tale of the Tailless Manx

The Manx is said to have originated on the Isle of Man.  According to folk beliefs and legends, the cat came from the Spanish Armada wherein the cats on its ship swam towards the shore.  The gene of the Manx being tailless is quite dominant.  Breeding two Manx cats with no tail can be quite lethal.  Breeders have to be very careful when breeding two tailless cats, so it usually more advisable to breed tailed ones with tailless cats to decrease the occurrence of the spinal mutation in Manxes.

Legend has it that the Manx lost its tail when Noah closed the door of the ark when it began to rain, cutting off the Manx’s tail as it was playing outside.  Another legend states that the Manx is an offspring of a rabbit and a cat.  This is said to be the cause of being tailless and having long hind legs. 

The breed is usually classified according to the length of its tail.  When the Manx is tailless, it is usually considered as a dimple rumpy or a rumpy.  When there is only a stub of cartilage for a tail, it is considered a riser or rumpy riser.  If there is a partial tail, it is considered as a stumpy.  It is called tailed or longy when it has a complete tail.   When entering Manxes in shows, it is usually the rumpy that is qualified to be shown. 

Besides its tail or lack thereof, this breed is also known for being robust and rounded in appearance.  This characteristic is even more prominent in males than in females.  Because their hind legs are much longer than their forelegs, their rump tends to be higher than their shoulders. 

Two types of Manx coats exist – shorthair and longhair.  The shorthair, with its double coat, has a much more glossy appearance.  The longhair on the other hand, has a more silky texture to its coat.

Manxes usually have sweet expressions to match their playfulness.  They can jump higher than any other breed, so it is not unusual to find them on some of the highest points in your house or in any room.  This is mostly due to their powerful hind quarters, similar to that of a rabbit.  Like other breeds, they also exhibit some dog-like characteristics.  They like to play fetch and enjoy digging holes and burying their toys.  They can develop a strong bond with a family, which makes it difficult for a Manx to adjust to a new home once it has already created a bond with a previous family.