Cymric

Origin and History

The Cymric is the semi-longhaired version of the Manx, the tailless cat of the Isle of Man; its name means "Welsh" in the Welsh language. Taillessness stems from a dominant gene mutation that became established in the Isle of Man's isolated cat population. In character and build it is the same as the Manx; the main difference is coat length.

Appearance and Coat

It has a round, muscular and solid body, a round head and a rabbit-like stance because its hind legs are longer than its front legs. Its most distinctive feature is the complete or partial absence of a tail; it ranges from completely tailless ("rumpy") individuals to short-tailed ("stumpy") ones. It has a semi-long, dense double coat.

Personality and Temperament

The Cymric is friendly, loyal and attached to its people; it is often described as dog-like. It is playful and intelligent, can learn to play fetch and likes to follow its family around. It strikes a balance between calm and playful; it gets along well with children and other animals. With its powerful hind legs, it is a good jumper.

Care and Nutrition

Its semi-long double coat should be brushed two or three times a week to prevent tangles; grooming is stepped up during seasonal changes. A balanced diet and regular play support its health.

Health

Because the gene that causes taillessness in the Cymric can also affect the development of the spine, it leads to an important inherited risk: Manx syndrome. This condition results from developmental abnormalities at the lower end of the spinal cord and can cause signs such as spina bifida, urinary/fecal control problems and hind-leg weakness. Signs usually appear in the first months of life. In addition, the taillessness gene is lethal in its homozygous (double) form; for this reason, responsible breeders do not mate two tailless cats. It is important to be aware of these health issues before adopting.

Who Is It Right For?

The Cymric is suited to informed owners looking for a friendly, playful cat who are also aware of the health responsibilities associated with taillessness. When adopting, it is important to prioritize healthy individuals without symptoms.