Appearance of the Manx Cat

The Manx Cat is a well known breed that is known for its lack of tail. The genetic mutation due to imposed cohabitation and crossing of other breeds would eventually see a spinal curtail, omitting the tail entirely from its body. Due to this change in body, the appearance of the Manx is a unique one. In addition to missing its tail, its body appears almost rump like as its spine curls round. In some cases small tails would grow but this was not a common occurrence and they were not referred to as Manx cats. Rather, they would be fittingly named stumpies.

Due to the inherent gene across all Rump Manx cats, breeders should take caution when selecting mates. The spinal deformation condition occurs in both male and female cats, when breeding this can cause adverse effects on the resulting litter as the kittens will not be able to develop. In similar fashion to the genes that are in Scottish Folds, these cats are often crossed with other genetic pools to avoid such issues. Over the years, the Manx cat has gained recognition from various associations as a breed. Standardisation has been introduced that specifies that true Rump cats will exhibit a void where the tail is normally expected to be in addition to the spinal curtailment.

Manx cats exhibit great intelligence and strength and were often regarded as working cats in society. Possessing a calm yet active temperament has made them to be great companions in the household. Showing restraint when necessary, the highly intelligent cat is able to engage with the owner to a heightened level of interactivity. Aside from the lack of tail there are other defining factors that the Manx cat is well known for. For instance, the thick and well padded coat is a feature that is visibly evident on visual observation and also fell. It could be compared to the thickness of two coats in its entirety and gives these cats a robust structure. The patterning of these cats will come in many variations including tortoiseshell, pointing and others. Colours will once again be in a diverse range and gives prospective owners a great amount of choice when selecting a cat to care for. The eyes of the Manx will often complement its coat, they are well rounded and larger than other varieties. The Manx cat is a unique and reliable companion that is easy to care for and would be a fine choice for any cat owner.