The Manx is the tailless cat of the Isle of Man, a rounded, sturdy breed with long hind legs. Tail length varies from none to nearly normal.
The gene responsible can also cause serious defects of the spine, and the pedigree breed is now very rare in Britain.
The Manx is the tailless cat of the Isle of Man: a rounded, sturdy breed with long hind legs. The gene that removes the tail can also damage the spine, which makes the Manx one of the most debated breeds.
Tailless cats have been recorded on the Isle of Man for several hundred years. The mutation arose in the island's cat population and spread because the population was small and isolated. Legends explain it in other ways, among them that the cat was last aboard the Ark and had its tail shut in the door. The cat is an emblem of the island and has appeared on its coins and stamps. Manx were exhibited at the earliest British cat shows.
Not every Manx is tailless. Breeders distinguish the rumpy, with no tail and a dimple where it would begin; the rumpy riser, with a small knob of bone; the stumpy, with a short stump; and the longy, with a tail of nearly normal length. Only the first two are shown.
The body is compact, with a short back, a deep flank and a rounded rump carried higher than the shoulders, which can give a hopping gait. The head is round with prominent cheeks. The double coat is short and thick; a long-haired form, called the Cymric in North America, is not recognised in Britain.
Manx cats are calm, loyal and playful, often attaching themselves to one household member, and they are noted hunters.
The Manx gene is dominant. A kitten that inherits two copies dies before birth, so every living Manx carries one copy, and litters are small. In some kittens the gene shortens the spine as well as the tail, causing spina bifida, loss of control of the bowel and bladder, and weakness of the hind legs. This is known as Manx syndrome. It usually shows within the first few months, and severely affected kittens are put to sleep.
Careful breeders mate tailless cats to tailed ones and keep kittens until at least four months to be sure they are sound. Some veterinary and welfare organisations hold that the breed should not be bred at all.
The Manx is recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy and the international registries, but it has become very rare as a pedigree cat: no Manx kittens were registered in Britain in 2023.