Origins of Manx Cats
The Manx breed originated before the 1700s on the Isle of Man
(hence the name), where they are common. They are called stubbin in
the Manx language. Tail-less cats were common on the island as long
as three hundred years ago. The tail-lessness arises from a genetic
mutation that became common on the island (an example of the founder
effect).
Folk beliefs claim the Manx cats came from the Spanish Armada; a
ship foundered on Spanish Rock on the coast of the Isle of Man.
According to legend, the cats on the ship swam ashore and became an
established breed. Legend has it that the cats originally went on
board the Spanish ship in the Far East.
Legends of Manx CatsThere are various legends that seek to explain why the Manx has no
tail. In one of them, Noah closed the door of the ark when it began
to rain and accidentally cut off the Manx's tail, who'd been playing
and almost got left behind. Another legend claims that the Manx is
the offspring of a cat and a rabbit which is why it has no tail and
rather long hind legs. In addition, they move with more of a hop than
a stride, like a rabbit. This legend was further reinforced by the
Cabbit myth. Recent postcards on the Isle of Man depict a cartoon
scene of a cat's tail being run over and removed by a motorbike,
because motorbike racing is popular on the Island.
Physical Characteristics of the Manx
The mature Manx with all its rounded contours reminds one of a bowling ball.
It is a round, heavy cat of medium size. Its primary feature is its lack of a tail.
Not all kittens are born tailless. The ideal Manx has a rounded rump with just a
dimple where the tail would have been however some have short stubby tails and some
are born with full length tails. But the intelligent Manx is far more than just
a cat without a tail! Its hind legs are long than the front legs so the rump is
raised in the air. In days gone by, some people thought they saw a hopping gait
and this, combined with the longer hind legs and lack of tail, gave rise to the
moniker of 'bunny cat'. These charming cats claim an origin from the Isle of Man
and come in two coat lengths: the shorthair known as the Manx and the longhair known
as the Cymric.
Is the Manx the right cat for you?
These
gentle cats are generally playful and their powerful hindquarters
make them excellent jumpers able to get to the highest corner to
investigate something that has attracted their interest. They are
intelligent cats quickly learning how to use their paws to turn a
door handle to get to a room containing something they want. Manx and
Cymrics quickly learn to retrieve and sometimes bury their toys like
a dog. While they have a relatively quiet voice, they can be quite
talkative and often use a unique trilling sound. They are
people-oriented cats who form strong bonds with their families. They
get on with children and other pets when properly introduced. These
even-tempered, calm cats have a lot of affection to share and prefer
not be on their own for long periods of time.
