Manx and Cymric Cat Breed: A Comprehensive Guide

Welcome to Karello Cattery’s website. Throughout our site you’ll find interesting insight into Manx and Cymric cats, their characteristics, myths about the breed, it’s origin and our breeding philosophies. We share about our blessed journey since 1996 with these truly remarkable cats.

The Manx (short hair) and Cymric (long hair) pronounced “kim rick” is a breed of cat known for being tailless. However, they are also born with other lengths of tails, including a full tail.

Tailless cats were seen in Europe long before becoming famous on the Isle of Man. One theory is that the tailless cats could have been introduced to the Isle of Man by the Vikings when they invaded. The Isle of Man is an island in the Irish Sea, off the coast of England and Ireland. The Manx and Cymric cats were so beloved by the inhabitants on the island, they added them to their currency.

Did You Know?

Manx and Cymric cats born on the island without tails have a naturally occurring genetic mutation. The mutation causes them to be born tailless, semi tailed or full tailed. Lack of the mutation produces a full tailed cat and they’re still Manx cats. Being born tailless anywhere other than the island, doesn’t default any tailless cats into being a Manx or Cymric breed cat. That’s a myth about the breed. A Manx or Cymric cat is a cat from the Isle of Man that has traceable ancestry, back to the Isle of Man. Therefore, getting a registered Manx or Cymric is very important so you get an authentic Isle of Man cat. There are many fakes and knockoffs.

So, regardless of a domestic tailless cats appearance, demeanor, roundness, hopping, no tail, looking or acting like a Manx or Cymric, etc. it doesn’t default the cat into being a Manx or Cymric breed cat. Ancestry and genetics are very important factors in this breed, more so than its appearance. Unregistered tailless cats are referred to as Domestic Tailless cats or Manx knockoffs. They’re usually not true Manx or Cymric cats. They only share a genetic mutation. True Manx or Cymric cats have traceable ancestry to the Isle of Man even those born with full tails. Now, let’s move on to tail length descriptions.

Manx Tail Descriptions

The descriptions below are commonly used when discussing tail lengths for this breed.

Rumpy – A “rumpy” or “dimple rumpy” is completely tailless. They have a dimple or indent at the end of the spine where a tail would be.

Rumpy Riser – The “rumpy riser” comes in two different types. The “rumpy low-riser”, appearance is tailless but has approximately one to three vertebrae fused to the end of the spine. These vertebrae can be felt slightly when standing up when the cat is happy or stroked on its back. They often lay down, unnoticed when the cat is relaxed. The “rumpy high-riser” has slightly more vertebrae. The hi-risers vertebrae are often visible under the skin as a bump at the end of the spine. When relaxed, the vertebrae can sometimes still be felt. It moves up and down but not left to right. It doesn’t have a tail sheath (tubular piece of skin). The vertebrae can be “felt” and “seen”. These cats are still considered tailless, are eligible for showing and should not be penalized from a judge by no placement.

Stumpy or Stubby- This is a Manx with a shorter tail that is visibly present, most times with a tail sheath. It moves from left to right and up and down. Its length can range from 3/4″ to one that is mistaken for a tailed Manx. Sometimes tails appear to be rumpy hi-risers at birth but as the kitten matures the tail is a stumpy and too long to be used for a show cat.

Tailed – This tail appears to be a normal cat tail length. However, it is usually missing a few vertebrae which is not visually noticeable. So, it’s considered a full tail.

Dock – This is a tailed or stubby tail that has been banded or surgically shortened by a veterinarian or breeder for cosmetic purposes. Breeders are more inclined to educate potential owners about what a genuine Manx cat is, than do this today.