All About The Manx Cat

All About The Manx Cat

Manx cats are an amazing and adorable breed of many feline lovers. It is best known for a mutation that results in a small, stub-like tail (or in some cases, no tail at all).

Manx cats have the independent qualities of cats but are loyal, warm and playful like dogs. These often tailless, robust hunting cats are mellow and, oddly enough, known for their partiality to water.

HISTORY

Manx cats originate from the Isle of Man, a small island on the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland. Due to the isolation of these cats from outside breeding and the passage of centuries, the taillessness finally became a common characteristic among the Manx cats, because the mutated gene is a dominant trait. Manx cats are not a different species than other domestic cats, but they carry a gene known as the Manx gene, or just the M gene – that causes their taillessness. Edward Forbes, a famous Manx zoologist, discovered the gene.

GENERAL FEATURE

The most distinctive feature of Manx cats is their lack of a tail or a short one. Manx cats are known for their firm stature. Manx cats have round heads, which make their ears look big, especially as kittens. The ears also are more pointed than other breeds of cats. Their bodies are normally broad, with wide chests. They’ve big round eyes that vary in colors. Their back legs are long, in comparison to their front legs, which is different than other breeds of cats. Manx cats come in both shorthair, and longhair varieties and their fur also vary in colors. The most obvious patterns for Manx cats are tabby or bi-colored. The ears are broad and taper to a narrower, rounded tip at the base. The coat is soft, well-padded quality due to the longer open outer coat and the thick close undercoat. This is the overall appearance of all Manx cats.

WHO SHOULD OWN ONE

Manx is the Cat for dog People. They’re gentle, playful, smart and dexterous. The Manx cat is well fitted to any home with people who are willing to comb its gorgeous coat weekly, keep him indoors to protect him from cars, diseases spread by other cats and attacks from other animals. Fond of human company, Manx can carry on a discussion in a sweet trilling voice. Most Manx do give all their love to a single person while others are affectionate toward the entire family, including children. Manx make good pets for younger children especially if they grow up with them, because of their even-temperedness. An older Manx may have some difficulty adjusting to the noise and quickness of children since Manx prefer a quiet, settled environment. If your home is a quiet one, you’ll find that your young Manx will quickly become accustomed to that peace, and simply slamming a door may startle the cat.

IN CONCLUSION

When it comes to personality, the Manx cat is known for its playfulness, high-spirited nature and love of water. Many owners think of the Manx as charming and almost dog-like in its willingness to play games and even learn simple commands. Manx are healthy cats who lead a normal life of a fifteen to twenty years span. If you’re looking for a cat that’s sociable, loves children, and enjoys playing and snuggling, then the tailless Manx cat may be just right for you. They’re balanced and agile despite the absence of a tail and are fairly adept hunters.

Categories: Cat Breeds