Subject
Areas
Where did Manx Originate
?
The Legend
Temperament
Breeding Complications
Common Questions
The Manx makes for a stocky, solid cat with a dense double coat (long or short), a compact body, very short back and hind legs that are visibly longer than the front legs, big bones, a wide chest, and greater depth of flank (sides of the cat nearest the rear) quite unique to other breeds of cat. The standard weight for males is 10-12 lbs. and for females is 8-10 lbs. The Manx head is broad-jowled with round eyes, and the ear-set is distinct to the breed when viewed from the back, the ears and the top of the head form a "cradle" or "rocker" shape. The ears themselves are broad at the base and taper to a narrower, rounded tip. This is the general appearance of all Manx cats, regardless of whether they are show-quality or not.
Completely tailless, or "rumpy," Manx are the desired
show type, though they may also have tails. A litter of kittens may include
a rumpy, a "riser" (a bit of cartilage at the base of the spine, under the skin,
that may be felt when the cat is happy), a "stumpy" (any tail length not long,
but visibly a tail), and a "longy," and all are Manx.
Manx Kittens
1 Stumpy
2 Tailed
1 Rumpy
Tailed Manx are essential for the healthy continuation of the breed.
The tailless gene, a dominant gene, is lethal when breeding rumpies to each
other into or beyond the third generation. Breeders use tailed cats in the breeding
program to insure strong kittens and to reduce the possibility of genetic deformity.
Please refer to Possible Breed Problems.
The most striking feature of the show-quality Manx is the complete lack of a tail. Indeed, the best Manx has a slight indentation at the base of the spine where the tail would begin with a "dimple."
Ideally, the perfectly 'rounded' Manx should have a short back rising in a continuous curve to the rump, and long back legs. The head shouldn't be too large for the body, nor the chest too broad for the hindquarters.
Manx cats can be any colour and pattern. Mackerel tabby Manx, tortoiseshell Manx, calico and solid-colour and bi-colour Manx are popular, but can also include red, blue, cream, brown, black, and white variations.
The Manx coat is either short or long. Longhairs have
a double coat, but the outer coat is of a semi-long length.
All colours and patterns exist in both coat lengths.
Manx cats originated on the Isle of Man, off the coast
of Great Britain, among a population of cats whose common ancestry sprang from
the same roots as the British Shorthair. A spontaneous mutation occurred at
some point several hundred years ago, which resulted in kittens being born without
the vertebrae that formed tailed cats. Over a long period of time and due to
the isolation of the cats, the taillessness eventually became a common characteristic
among the Isle of Man cats.
The mutated gene became a dominant trait.
Early Manx were more 'gangly' looking than today's. However through selective and careful breeding, the size of the cat has increased, and the short-backed, broad-chested and stocky cat of today has become the standard ideal.
Common are the tales of Manx arriving from the wrecks of ships on the Isle of Man. One story has become legendary dating back to the 1600s involving two ships from the Spanish Armada, sunk off Spanish Point near Port Erin. The Isle of Man was the refuge for the tailless cats from these two ships. Another from a shipwrecked cat in 1806 off Jurby Point, another from a Baltic ship wrecked off Castle Rushen and Calf Island.
Early speculation considered the Annamite cats to be the beginning of the Manx, these cats having short tails. They were introduced into Burma. Others felt the Manx may be descended from Siam and Malaya. The Malaya Archipelago cats have kinked, knotted and short tails.
The Welsh also lay claim to the Manx in their legends and the people considered them sacred animals in early times.
Tailless - Because kittens' mothers chewed off their tails to prevent humans from snatching their babies?!
Many cats are tailless, the world over. The Japanese Bobtail has a short kinked tails and are thinner and much smaller than the Manx. The Manx, is the only cat that is bred to be tailless.
The Manx is extremely laid-back and placid with an even temperament. They are renowned for being friendly and affectionate. Manx are popular with people that love dogs because of their loyalty and nature to their owner. They respond to being called by name, and are excellent at timekeeping and learning about your daily routine. They have even been known to wake you gently, regular as clockwork! Manx cats love to get involved with whatever you are doing. Within proximity to a Manx, doing things like reading without their involvement just isn't on... the Manx certainly lets you know too!
Not especially renowned for having a loud 'voice', the Manx does have a wide vocabulary. A distinct 'chirp' is usually given as a warm greeting, and often accompanied by a 'brushing' of its body against you. This is often in response to attention given to your Manx.
A low purr indicates a very contented Manx indeed. This is usually from grooming or stroking.
Manx make good pets for younger children if they grow
up with them, because of their even temperament
They also love to play games - Especially 'football' and 'catch me under the
sofa' (if you can!)
Manx 'show cats' enjoy the interaction of the public - particularly at events organised by the Cat Association of Great Britain.
The Manx is rarely fussed about being put on a Judges table and will seldom display 'kitten-like' behaviour, quite different to their games at home! They are well known for playing up to the Judge - rubbing up against them and if in the right mood, the Manx often delivers "head-butts" to any judge who places his/her face within range!
Manx, mature slowly, taking as long as five years to reach full growth and potential. This means that you may get many years of showing enjoyment out of your Manx; possibly leading to further achievements at show standard for a considerable period of time, cat allowing!
In the championship classes, males may have the edge over the females, as the whole queen will come into heat often when shown, and this can cause her temperament to be uneven. Whole males generally maintain a more even disposition, although a male used often as a stud may develop a testiness as time goes by, especially in early spring shows when females come into season.
In choosing a show kitten, rely on the breeder to point out likely kittens. About 80 percent of the time, the promising kitten becomes the excellent adult. There are exceptions, of course, especially after the cat has been spayed/neutered, when the so-so kitten develops into a surprisingly winning cat. This is one thing that makes cat showing thrilling, though, when that occasional "surprise" comes along and brightens your life.
In the case of Zebedee, Pat Dowling his breeder, certainly knew what to look for when we went looking for something special!
Manx Syndrome is a normally fatal defect caused by the so-called Manx gene, which causes the taillessness. The gene's action in shortening the spine may go too far, resulting in severe spinal defects; gap in the last few vertebrae, fused vertebrae, or spina bifida in newborns. If there is no obvious problem with a Manx Syndrome kitten at birth, the difficulties will show up in the first few weeks or months of the cat's life, usually in the first four weeks, but sometimes as late as four months. It is often characterised by severe bowel and/or bladder dysfunction, or by extreme difficulty in walking.
Breeders of Manx will generally not let kittens leave the cattery until they have reached four months of age because of the possibility of Manx Syndrome appearing. In most cases, however, experience will point to a problem in a kitten long before the kit is four months old. Rarely will a breeder have no suspicion of anything wrong and have the Manx Syndrome appear.
Manx Syndrome may occur even in a carefully bred litter, but is more likely in the instance when a rumpy is bred to a rumpy in or beyond the third generation. For this reason, the breeder carefully tracks rumpy to rumpy breedings, and uses tailed Manx regularly in the breeding program. Generally speaking, a sound breeding between a tailed Manx and a rumpy Manx should produce a litter that is 50% tailed and 50% rumpy, but as we know, what should happen and what does happen are many times two different things. Usually, however, one may rely on this percentage. As long as litters are produced in which all tail lengths appear, the breeder may feel that the breeding program is on track.
Manx litters tend toward the small side in numbers, both because of Manx Syndrome and because of the short back of the queen, which leaves less room for large numbers of kittens. A typical Manx litter will be 3 or 4 kittens. More than that could crowd the kits and a female who has a history of large litters needs careful observation during pregnancy to see that all goes well. A sensible precaution with expectant Manx queens is to have the vet x-ray or ultra-sound her a couple of weeks before the due date, to determine the number of kits to expect.
Some American breeders will have the tails of Manx kits docked at 4-6 days of age. As the "Tailless Manx gene" always causes a modification to the tail length and fully tailed cats will not carry the this particular gene. But, they will always have the others, temperament etc. So this is probably just an excuse to dock.
Is the Manx right for me?
If you love dogs, the Manx makes for an excellent choice. Loyal and people-oriented, they are extremely intelligent, loving, loyal, fun and full of character and quirkiness.
Manx are very laid-back, they do not like shrill noises or disturbance - In particular, they take a great dislike to being poked, prodded and being pulled about by children. They are extremely independent, good 'mousers and are certainly not 'lap' cats.
If you are looking for a small, thin and ordinarily vocal cat, then the Manx is not for you.
At what age can I get a Manx kitten?
Any age after 4 months. By that time visible signs of Manx Syndrome are present, and you may be reasonably certain that you are getting a kitten free from this condition. The exception would be a dock-tailed kitten, which a breeder might place in a new home at around 3 months. It is extremely rare for a Manx with a docked tail to suffer from Manx Syndrome.
How do Manx get on with members of the family?
Manx tend to establish from an early age a 'principle person' or 'owner' which becomes a parent figure. A special bond is created which can be extended to a spouse or partner and other members of the family. The Manx also becomes accustomed to the behaviour of each family member and interacts uniquely in accordance to the nature of that person.
Quite astonishing - Don't you think?!
What about other family pets?
Manx get along with other cats well, and usually adapt easily to dogs, large or small. They are also known to live quietly with other types of pets, such as birds or fish and even mice or rats. Although they hunt regularly for field mice and other small wild animals, they soon learn the difference between a 'catch' and another pet!
It is always a good plan to slowly introduce another animal to a Manx under supervision and over a steady period of time.
Gradually becoming accustomed to another creature breeds trust and respect from both sides.
Do they need a companion?
Like most pets, a Manx will benefit from having another
cat or dog, as a companion. However, Manx attach very closely to their owner(s)
and to human members of the household and do not especially miss the companionship
of another animal.
If, however, the cat is left for long periods of time by members of the household,
it isn't good to leave them alone for too long.
With this scenario, to prevent loneliness, a companion makes for a sound option.
How intelligent are they?
More likely, are you intelligent enough for a Manx? They are extremely clever and they love interaction with people. They have a great understanding. Some Manx have learned how to open doors, to eat out of open cans, to drink from cups and to let you know what they want and what they don't want!
They also go hunting for 'presents' for you - usually field mice which they obtain from using their skills - If you don't fancy these sorts of gifts, our advice is for you to use your intelligence... and purchase a belled collar as a discouragement!
Manx can make up inventive games which demonstrate their intelligence. Play time can involve retrieving small objects to be thrown again as well as mock hide and seek "attacks". They often play 'football' and scamper up loft ladders and chimneys demonstrating how 'brave' and agile they are!
Do they purr?
Yes. They also 'chirp' affectionately and sometimes respond to being called with a loud cry of "I'm Here!" They love to let you know where they are!
Will my furniture be ruined from scratching?
Like any cat, Manx will scratch what feels good to them to do so. If provided with scratching posts covered in the materials they prefer, they will learn to use those posts if one is patient in putting them in front of the post and praising them for using it. A squirt bottle or water pistol can be quite effective in keeping them from scratching the forbidden objects.
Are they noisy?
You will often hear them jumping down from an object with little thudding noises as they go running about. Sometimes they will 'meow' in short bursts, similar to chatting, unless it is a male and female calling each other, or a female calling her kittens. They do like to chase each other, so hearing the thunder of furry feet is usually the disturbance the Manx owner is used to.
What about bad habits?
Generally Manx are extremely clean creatures but occasionally "faecal matter" will cling to the close-lying hairs around the back end. Adjusting the type and amount of food given to your Manx can correct the problem. Manx respond excellently to reprimand, for example successive 'catches' and 'presents'. Try a firm "NO!" Just like a dog's training!
Male or female?
If the cat is spayed or neutered, the sex of the cat is of little import in deciding which to pick as a pet. It costs less to neuter a male than to spay a female. Either sex is loving and sweet-natured when raised in a loving home. If you plan to show your pet in the championship (or "whole" cat) class, you probably would be happier with a male than a female, since being around males will bring a female into season and make her grouchy at the shows. On the other hand, a whole male will most likely spray throughout the house, and the smell of a whole male is extremely pungent.
Unless you plan to breed your cat (and the only reason to do that would be if you have a top show-cat with excellent genes to pass on, and you intend to become a breeder yourself), it would be best to spay or neuter and show in the premier classes altogether. Either sex can be successful in premier classes if the type is good. Neither males nor females are more or less likely to adapt to showing based on sex alone.
Should the cat be allowed outdoors?
Full vaccination is required to protect your cat and other cats from unwanted illnesses, diseases and medical conditions
It is our opinion, that the keeping of a pet involves allowing them their liberty to roam outside. Naturally, you have an obligation to deter the unwanted conception of kittens and so spaying or neutering should certainly be considered prior to allowing your pet the freedom to roam. Also, make your judgement based upon the area in which you live; be aware of other dangers: speeding vehicles, cat-nappers, other wild animals, people that dislike cats, etc.
Your Manx will love sitting in a window for hours on end, observing the garden's activities and get very excited seeing birds and squirrels and such. Also, the Manx likes the comfort of a favourite chair.
How long do they live?
Manx may live into their 20's, and certainly may be expected to reach the late teens as a matter of course. Once past the danger of Manx Syndrome, the Manx is generally healthy when receiving regular veterinary care and proper diet. The Manx doesn't fully mature until around 5 years of age, and the greatest threat to health is overweight. Because of the great depth of flank in the Manx, and the standard which calls for a large, solid cat, it may be difficult to tell if you're overfeeding your cat. It can be hard to distinguish between depth of flank and fat. The best thing to do is to watch for panting after normal exertion. If it doesn't stop after a short period of time, the cat probably has a weight/health problem.
What should I feed my cat?
Kittens should get a high quality "growth formula" food for the first year of their lives, and adult cats need a balanced maintenance diet. It is a good idea to check the contents of any food you want to give your cat, and avoid those with high ash/magnesium/potassium content. The diet should be divided between dry and moist food, 1/4 moist to 3/4 dry. A source of fresh water should be provided at all times, and changed/filled daily. They will, in time, 'tell you' what types of dried food and what types of moist food they prefer!
How do I get a Manx?