Manx cat breed: his tail was cut off by Noah when he slammed the door of the ark

The majority of Isle of Man cats, also known as Manx, are born without tails, and this has captured people's imagination over time. Some say the breed is half-cat, half-rabbit, others that Noah is the reason for the wolflessness, but there are other legends that try to explain the unusual phenomenon.

The Manx cat is most easily recognised by its tail, or more precisely by its absence. Although some of them are born with tails, this gives the breed its uniqueness. The cat also has a special shape, as it is quite round. Apart from its round head and eyes, its whole body is shaped like this, thanks to its rather long hind legs and short forelimbs in relation to them. Thus the legs make the cat’s shape slightly rounded.

History

The origins of the Manx are highly disputed, and there are many legends about this special cat. One says that at the time of the Flood, Noah accidentally slammed the door of the ark on the tail of a cat from the Isle of Man, and that’s why the ones alive today don’t have tails. According to another story, the ancestors of the breed fell victim to Irish soldiers who cut off the tails of the cats to pin on their helmets. Others say it was the other way around, with the natives attacked by the Irish cutting off the tails of their own cats to pin on their headgear, imitating soldiers. And this was enough for a mother cat who gave birth to her next litter on the top of a mountain to be away from people. To keep them even further away from the kittens, he bit off their tails.

According to a third legend, the ancestors of these cats were living on a Spanish ship in 1588, and when it sank, the cats swam ashore and bred in isolation on a nearby island. Others believe that the ancestors of the breed were Japanese cats that were traded to the Isle of Man, where they bred with each other, and inbreeding resulted in the genetic mutation that has resulted in a large proportion of the breed not having tails. Some people explain this phenomenon simply by saying that the breed is half rabbit, half cat.

There are many cats that have short or no tails, but the Manx (and its long-haired variant, the Cymric) is the only one bred specifically to be tail-free. The tailless Manx is the result of a genetic mutation, which was then amplified by the cats’ remote location off the coast of the Isle of Man. The island is known for its tailless cats. According to experts, the origin of the breed dates back to the 18th century. It first appeared at cat shows in the UK in the early twentieth century, but was not a great success at first. It appeared in the United States in the 1930s, where a few enthusiastic breeders immediately began to work with it. Over the last hundred years, the Isle of Man has seen a decline in the number of Manx living there.

Breed standard

The Manx cat’s body is medium sized, rounded and thick boned. It weighs about 3.5-5.5 kg. The head is large, round, the nose short and well developed. The feet are moderately large, with slightly rounded tips. His eyes are big, round, his gaze is sparkling. The neck is short and muscular. His tail is often missing. The front legs are short, the hind legs are longer and muscular. The coat is double layered, soft and shiny. The undercoat is dense and short. Color can be solid white, black, cream, red, blue and tortoiseshell; tabby; chinchilla. Expected lifetime 10-14 years.

Character

The Manx is gentle, curious and playful. It’s not unusual for him to carry his toys like a dog or follow his owner’s steps. He is both clever and dexterous, able to get his paws into cupboards or open doors. He likes human company and often communicates with them. Some Manx give all their affection to one person, while others are devoted to the whole family, including children. The Manx is highly intelligent, so it is important for him to work his mind and challenge himself. He also likes to learn tricks, which also wear him down mentally. He is an exceptionally good jumper and likes to be high.

Ideal environment

Because he has access to almost everything in the house thanks to his extraordinary dexterity, it is worth keeping dangerous things out of his reach. It is essential to provide one or more high places where it can rest or keep an eye on what is going on around it. It requires regular mental exhaustion and the company of humans. If often left alone for long periods, it will become lonely.

Care

The coat of this breed is easily groomed by weekly brushing to remove dead hairs and disperse sebum. Bathing is rarely needed. Claws need to be trimmed if they become too long, and it is also a good idea to clean his teeth regularly. Wipe his eyes occasionally with a soft, damp cloth. The possible to avoid 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 pad or a soft, damp cloth moistened with a 50-50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water.

Common health problems

Absence of a Manx tail can sometimes be problematic. Some cats have spinal problems that cause neurological symptoms such as bowel movements or urination problems. The majority of Manx cats with this disease are identified by 6 months of age and have to be put down. This condition is the Manx syndrome and the problem can affect up to 20% of individuals. Breeders sometimes include long-tailed animals in their breeding to avoid health problems.

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