Cymric Cat 101 : Breed & Personality
Channel: Kitten Life
Date: 2020-10-27

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In today's video, we are going to talk about a tailless cat breed, that won a strong following among many cat fanciers around the world.

The Cymric Cat Breed.

Is it really a cat if it doesn’t have a tail? It is, if it’s a Cymric. There are lots of cats with short tails or no tails, but the Cymric, and his sister breed the shorthaired Manx, is the only one specifically bred to be tail-free. Sometimes jokingly said to be the offspring of a cat and a rabbit. However cute the idea, a “cabbit” is biologically impossible. These particular tailless cats are the result of a natural genetic mutation, that was then intensified by their remote location on the Isle of Man, off the coast of Britain.

The cats are thought to date to 1750, or even later. but whether a tailless cat was born there, or arrived on a ship and then spread its genes throughout the island cat population, is unknown. The island became known for tailless cats, and that is how the breed got its name of Manx. The Manx has long been recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association, The International Cat Association, and other cat registries. A longhaired version was accepted by CFA as a division of the Manx, in 1994. In some associations, the longhaired Manx is called a Cymric and is considered a separate breed.

This is a medium-size cat who weighs 8 to 12 pounds and feels surprisingly heavy when lifted.

The Cymric is known for his lack of a tail, but not every Cymric is completely tailless. Some, known as “longies,” have a normal-length tail, and others, known as stumpies, have short tails. A Cymric with no tail is called a rumpy, and one with just a rise of bone at the end of the spine is known as a riser. You will see only rumpies and risers in the show ring, but cats with tails can be used in Cymric breeding programs.

A Cymric has other distinguishing characteristics as well, including a round head with large round eyes, a stout, powerful body with a broad chest, short back and a broad round rear end, short front legs and long hind legs, accompanied with muscular thighs. The long rear legs give him the appearance of a rabbit, and maybe the source of the “cabbit” myth.

The Cymric has a long, soft, silky double coat that comes in many different colors, including solids, tabbies, tortoiseshells, and calicos. Chocolate and lavender colors, and the pointed Himalayan pattern are not permitted. 

These cats originated as mousers, and whether shorthaired or longhaired, they retain their fine hunting skills and alert nature. With a Cymric around the house, you don’t need a watchdog; you’ve got a “watchcat”, who reacts rapidly and will growl threateningly or maybe even go on the attack at the sight or sound of anything out of the ordinary. If he sees that you aren’t alarmed, he’ll settle back down.

When he’s not protecting his family and property from mice, stray dogs, or other threats, the Cymric is a mellow fellow. And is even-tempered, with an affectionate personality. These cats also seem to enjoy serene surroundings. That’s not to say he is inactive. This is a happy and playful cat who likes to follow his favorite person throughout the house, and assist with whatever he or she is doing.

If the Cymric is introduced to toddlers and other animals in kittenhood, the active and social Cymric is a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He will play fetch as well as any retriever, learns tricks easily, and loves the attention he receives from children who treat him politely, and with respect. He lives peacefully with cats and dogs who respect his authority, and can learn to leave birds and fish alone.