Origin
Isle of Man
Lifespan
14–16 years
Weight
3–5 kg
Group
Shorthair
Personality
Colors & Patterns
Various Colors and Patterns
Manx
About This Breed
The Manx cat is a breed of domestic cat (Felis catus) originating on the Isle of Man, with a naturally occurring mutation that results in a shortened tail. Many Manx cats have a small stub of a tail, but Manx cats are genetically distinct from the bobcats that they resemble. The Manx has a rounded head, prominent cheeks, and is usually described as 'a round cat'. They are known for their dog-like loyalty to their humans and enjoy playing fetch.
Characteristics
Scores describe general breed tendencies, not an individual animal. A higher score means more of the named trait or need; it does not always mean better.
Life with a Manx
Origin
| Origin | Isle of Man |
| Group | Shorthair |
For the breed’s history, see the reference sources and Wikipedia link below.
Size and coat
| Weight | 3–5 kg |
| Lifespan | 14–16 years |
| Colors & Patterns | Various Colors and Patterns |
These are approximate adult ranges. Individual animals may be smaller or larger.
Temperament
| Personality | Playful · Gentle · Social · Intelligent · Loyal |
Usually active. Make time for play, exercise, and activities that keep it interested.
Often seeks company and attention. Allow time together and help it get used to short periods alone.
Coat care
Usually needs relatively little coat care. Brush as needed for its coat and shedding.
Some shedding is expected, and it may change with the season.
Living together
Often adjusts to changes fairly well, though a gradual introduction still helps.
Often gets along with children, but an adult should still supervise their time together.
Often gets along with other pets. Introduce them gradually rather than assuming they will be friends.
Health and lifespan
A lifespan range is not a prediction for an individual animal. Breed scores cannot diagnose illness or replace a veterinary assessment.
Offer places to climb, hide, scratch, and rest. Try different toys to see what your cat enjoys.
More from breed and care sources
Excerpts from the linked sources. Read the original for full details.
About the Breed
A Manx in repose is so round and cobby that it is jokingly called a “bowling ball with fur.” But remember—bowling balls roll! These gentle, companionable cats are quiet, devoted companions most of the time, but have a slightly purr-verse streak that can prompt them to start chasing invisible objects at 10 p.m. The combination of placidity with occasional episodes of spontaneous playful activity creates a breed that everyone feels comfortable with. Your Manx will spend most of its time curled up on the couch or in your lap, but just when you think you’ve got a true couch potato, it may decide to leap to the top of the refrigerator in a single bound.
Breed History
An ancient breed that originated on the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, the tailless cats were first recorded in the sixteenth century by visiting sailors. Despite a charming story that the Manx was so late in boarding Noah’s Ark that its tail was cut off by the closing door, it seems likely that the lack of tails is due to a mutation that began among the island’s native shorthair cat population. An incomplete dominant gene, it then spread to the other cats on the island. The longhair gene was probably introduced during the long rule of the Vikings, when ancestors of today’s Norwegian Forest Cats comingled with the native cats. Represented at the first cat shows found in Great Britain, Manx are one of the oldest breeds of show cat and were included when CFA began registering cats in 1906.
Character & Temperament
Affectionate and intelligent, Manx cats tend to attach themselves primarily to one or two family members with such a strong bond that they may take a while to acclimate to newcomers in the home. Because they are fond of playing fetch and other interactive games, they are often called “doglike,” and will politely seek you out with an object that they would like you to throw. They tend to get along well with dogs and other family pets, including other cats. Patient and tolerant, Manx do very well with children of all ages. Rather than respond aggressively, a Manx who is being held a bit too tight by a child will most likely squirm free with its powerful back legs and make a quick escape. Talkative but not loud, Manx take pleasure in telling you about their day, communicating with chirps, trills, purrs and occasional head bumps.
Physical Appearance
Robust and rounded in appearance, with great depth of flank, Manx have shorter-than-average bodies that are surprisingly heavy when lifted. The head is very round, with rounded cheeks giving a jowly appearance. The back legs are longer than the forelegs, the rump is higher than the shoulders, and the shortness of the back forms a continuous arch from shoulders to rump. The large, rounded eyes and medium sized ears with a characteristic “rocker” set complete the picture. Both short-haired and long-haired Manx have thick, plush coats with a well-padded feel, designed to protect against the elements. Tailed and partially-tailed Manx do occur, but only the completely tailless cats can be shown. Males average between 10 and 12 pounds, with females slightly smaller.
Grooming
To control shedding, Manx should be groomed regularly, but since the texture of the coat is not prone to matting, grooming should not be a challenge. For a longhair Manx, a wide-toothed comb is best and particular attention should be paid to the areas under the legs and on the sides of the face, where mats often start. Weekly combing is recommended. Shorthaired Manx can be groomed with either a comb or a brush, two or three times a month. Most Manx do not require regular bathing unless they are being shown.
Life at home
If considering a Manx, talk to your breeder about any possibility of Manx syndrome in the lines. The term refers to an array of problems involving the function of the hind legs, urinary bladder, and colon of a tailless cat. Since it typically is found before kittens reach four months of age, breeders may wait to place kittens until their health can be assured. Testing and monitoring kittens for health issues, as well as the regular use of tailed Manx cats in breeding programs, have proven instrumental in helping maintain a healthy, diverse gene pool for this breed.
Breed Overview
The Manx—whose origin story is told in many whimsical tales—is an ancient cat breed from the Isle of Man. Whether a traveler aboard Noah's Ark, as some stories suggest, or a descendant of mousers on Viking ships, Manx cats are renowned for their easygoing, playful, and cheerful nature, says Kelly Fishman, DVM, founder of Strut Animal Mobility Specialists and veterinary consultant for MYOS Pet. Manx are stocky cats, weighing 8–12 pounds, with short back limbs. They can have a tail or be tailless—it’s all up to genetics, Fishman says.
Care Guide
Their history may be rich in tales, but not all Manx cats have tails. “Taillessness in Manx is caused by a mutation,” explains Fishman. However, not all Manx cats lack a tail. They can be born with a short and stubby tail, a full-length tail, or no tail at all. In fact, Fishman says, two tailless cats can have a full-tailed kitten or kittens of varying tail lengths in a single litter. Manx cats have been described as both dog-like and rabbit-like: dog-like for their lifelong playfulness, social streak, and love of learning new tricks, and rabbit-like because their hind legs are longer than their front legs, causing a gait that looks a lot like a bunny hop.