Cymric cat breed: the tailless, long-haired cat whose character resembles that of a dog

If you have a Cymric around the house, you will have a great watchdog who will react quickly and growl menacingly or even attack at any unusual sight or sound.

The Cymric can be said to be the long-haired version of the Manx cat. Some associations recognize it as a separate breed, but in many cases it is covered by the Manx breed standard. Like its close relative, it does not have a tail, but its fur is much longer than that of the Manx.

History

The origin of this tailless cats is very controversial, as there have been several theories about when they were created. The most creative hypothesis is clearly that tailless cats came about because Noah accidentally slammed the ark door on the cats’ tails. Another theory is that Irish soldiers cut off the animals’ tails to attach to their helmets. After that, tailless individuals were born to avoid cruelty. Some believe it was the other way around, and the attacked natives cut off the cats’ tails to imitate soldiers. And to prevent this, a mother cat chewed off the tail of her kittens. But there have also been theories that these kittens are half rabbits, half cats. The most accepted origin story is that they lived in isolation for a long time on the Isle of Man, where the kittens were brought by traders, so they do not have tails as a result of inbreeding.

The name Cymric comes from the word cymru, which is the Gaelic name for Wales, although the breed is not Welsh; the first officially documented Cymric was born in Canada around the 1960s. Because it was then that fans of the Manx cat became interested in individuals with longer fur, which were sometimes found in Manx litters due to recessive genes. They also started their selective breeding and managed to stabilize the new breed, i.e. the long-haired version of the Manx.

Breed standard

Most organizations enforce the Manx standard for the Cymric, only their coat differs. Its head is relatively large and round, its facial part is not very pointed. The ears are wide, set far apart, medium-sized, with rounded ends. Its eyes are large and round. The neck is short and muscular. The back is short and tight. If the tail is missing, it is called rumpy, in which case the animal is missing the whole tail and sacral vertebrae; in this case there is an indentation in place of the tail. The rumpy riser has sacral vertebrae but no tail vertebra. And the stumpy tail is a maximum of 3 cm long. Paws are round and proportionate. Its fur is medium long, silky, and forms frills on the neck. Its color can be many: white, black, blue, red, cream, chinchilla, tabby, tortoiseshell, bicolor. It is a medium-sized cat, weighing approximately 3-5.5 kg. Its expected lifespan is 10-12 years.

Character

The character of the breed is often compared to that of a dog. It keeps a watchful eye around the house, is extremely loyal and likes to fetch. It is very strongly attached to a person it chooses, but it is also kind and friendly towards other members of the family. An inquisitive and curious nature, it likes to always be aware of what is going on around it. A balanced and affectionate cat who enjoys a calm environment; this doesn’t mean it’s inactive.

It is a happy, playful kitty who likes to follow its owner’s footsteps to every corner of the house. However, when it is ready to rest, it is happy to take a nap on the couch or on its owner’s lap. It is a smart cat that can learn tricks; it is even willing to walk on a leash.

Ideal environment

The Cymric is highly human-centric. Choose it as your companion only if you can devote a lot of time and attention to it every day. It easily adapts to different life situations and is neither shy nor rude to strangers. (Unless it’s an intruder). It likes to sit in the car, so it is a great companion for those who travel often. These cats quickly learn to open doors, so everything that is fragile must be carefully blocked from them. (It especially likes shiny jewelry.)

Unlike most cats, the Cymric is willing to accept rules and generally respects boundaries when told no. But decent behavior should be rewarded in return. It also gets along well with other cats, dogs and children, but gradual training is important. It doesn’t like loneliness; it’s worth occupying the time spent alone with various intelligence games.

Care

The coat of the Cymric is easy to care for. It should be combed two or three times a week to get rid of dead hairs. Its fur does not tangle as much as, for example, a Persian cat’s coat. However, during the spring and autumn molting shedding, it is necessary to brush more often. Its claws should be trimmed every few weeks if they grow too long, and his teeth should also be cleaned regularly. It rarely needs a bath.

You should occasionally wipe its eyes with a soft, wet cloth. To avoid possible infections, use a separate area of the cloth for each eye. The cleanliness of the ears should be checked weekly. If they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton ball or a soft, damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Since all cats are sensitive to the cleanliness of their litter, make sure that their tray is always spotless.

Common health problems

The Cymric’s lack of a tail can sometimes be problematic. Some of them have spinal defects that cause neurological symptoms, such as problems with defecation or urination. Most Cymric kittens with these problems are identified at four to six months of age and need to be euthanized. This condition is also referred to as Manx syndrome, and the problem can affect up to 20% of individuals.

(Literature used: János Szinák – István Veress: Cat Guide, Jean-Luc Renck: The Cat, Laura Aceti – Viola Autieri: Our Best Friend, the Cat)