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The Cymric, a tailless cat breed originating on the Isle of Man, is an anomaly among cats: not only is its appearance unique, but it enjoys water and has an almost dog-like temperament.

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Cymric Cat Breed Information

Cymrics may be named for Wales, but they originated centuries ago on the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, and gained fame only after they traveled to Canada.  Cymrics are tailless, just like the short-haired Manx, but they have beautiful semi-long fur.  They are great with families and first-time cat owners.  The gene mutation responsible for taillessness also makes Cymrics prone to spinal deformities.  However, most are quite healthy and can live into their late teens.

History and Origins of the Cymric:

The Cymric cat goes back centuries, yet it’s one of the newest cat breeds in the world.  Tailless cats have been known on the Isle of Man for hundreds of years, but long-haired kitties there weren’t regarded as true Manx cats.  While the short-haired Manx was recognized in North America during the 1920s, its long-haired cousin only started appearing there in the 1960s and wasn’t recognized as a purebred until the 1970s.

Stories about tailless cats

One popular legend says that the Isle of Man cat was the last one aboard the Ark and got its tail clipped off when Noah shut the door.  Others imagine that mother cats chewed off the tails of their kittens so humans wouldn’t carry take them.  The most imaginative story is that these tailless cats with long hind legs are a result of interbreeding between cats and rabbits!

Realistic guesses connect these tailless kitties with an Isle of Man promontory called Spanish Head.  During the 16th century, ships often carried cats to control rodents.  Legend has it that two ships of the ill-fated Spanish Armada sank off the coast of the Isle of Man at Spanish Head in 1588.  No sailors survived, but the cats allegedly swam to shore.

Cats from the Isle of Man do like water and they can swim.  They even could have survived a shipwreck in which sailors weighed down by heavy armor drowned.  However, there is no evidence that tailless cats ever lived in Spain.  So where did the Spanish get them?

Another notion is that maybe it was some other group of sailors, ones who weren’t wrecked but instead visited the island regularly.  The Isle of Man has always been an important stop for ships coming from all parts of the world to trade with Britain and Ireland.  A few other bobtail cat breeds do exist in Asia.  Maybe some of those were ship cats and reached the Isle of Man on a long-ago merchant ship?

Facts about the Cymric’s history

Experts have looked into things and have found that there is actually no DNA connection between the Manx and the Cymric or Asian tailless cats.  A few bobtails in Europe might have originally come from the Isle of Man, but it is equally possible that somebody first brought them from Europe to the island.  Nobody knows for sure.

In any event, tailless cats did appear and were isolated on the island for many centuries, developing into a unique and tailless breed.  These Isle of Man cats were easily domesticated.  They worked hard for their keep, hunting rodents and providing companionship on rural farms and in villages.

Long-haired cats sometimes appeared in litters, but locals didn’t consider them part of the true Manx breed.  Again, no one is sure if their long hair was a spontaneous genetic mutation or perhaps due to some Norwegian Forest Cat genes that got mixed in during the Viking occupation of the Isle of Man.

In the 20th century, cat fanciers carried the Manx breed throughout the world.  Canadian cat breeder Althea Frahm was fascinated by the beauty of long-haired individual kitties and exhibited them at cat shows as “Manx Mutants” in the 1960s.

In the mid-1970s, breeders Blair Wright (whose grandmother reportedly had seen long-haired tailless cats in Wales) and Leslie Falteisek changed the breed name to Cymric, from the Welsh word “Cymru” for Wales.

1976 was a banner year for Cymrics.  The breed was accepted that year by the Canadian Cat Association for championship status.  In addition, the United Cymric Association was formed.

Today, many major cat associations recognize Cymrics, while others prefer to call them long-haired Manx cats.

Size and Physical Characteristics:

The first two things you notice about a Cymric cat are its tail and its beautiful fur.  This round, compact kitty is also surprisingly heavy for its size.  Its muscle and bones are well developed, thanks to its heritage of hardworking ancestors.  Cymric fur comes in all colors and patterns.

Tailless and round

Ideally, a Cymric is a rumpy – it has no tail at all.  Rumpy risers have a little bump at the rear end that won’t stop a cat show judge’s hand during a stroke along the cat’s back.  This bump usually has one to three vertebrae.  Stumpies have up to five vertebrae, while longies have a tail with more than five vertebrae.

The key word for a Cymric cat is “round.”  Its body can actually be drawn as a set of circles.  The long hind legs and short spine make the back arch upwards in a pretty curve.  Flanks are deep and circular. The chest is broad and curves outward.

Cymrics have a round forehead, whisker pads, and cheeks.  Their eyes are big and round, set at a slight slant pointing down toward the nose.  Even the tips of their large ears are rounded rather than pointed.

A neck ruff and furry britches

These cats have a double coat of fur.  The layer closest to the skin is dense and cottony.  The outer coat varies in length but can be up to 2 inches long, weather resistant, and glossy.

Cymric cats have a neck ruff that starts at the ears and runs down to the jawline, as well as back over the neck and shoulders.  There is also longer fur over Kitty’s lower back, hips and legs, where it forms furry britches.  These can even fluff out like a set of little pantaloons.

On the Isle of Man, cats had a limited range of coat colors – usually black, black and white, gray-striped tabby, tortoiseshell (two colors, neither of which is white), and sometimes solid white.  Today, thanks to mixed breeding, Cymrics come in all colors and patterns.  Some of the lighter coat colors also feature dark fur outlines around the rims of eyes, nose, and mouth.

A Cymric cat’s eyes match its coat color.  White cats have pale eye colors, while other solid-colored cats usually show copper or deep orange eyes.  Tabbies may have brilliant copper eyes, too.  They also come with hazel, green, or golden eye color. Silvers and smokes have either copper or blue-green eyes.

Personality and Temperament:

Like their Manx cousins, Cymrics turn the classic “dogs are friendly, cats are aloof” stereotype upside down.  They are loving, intelligent, and very loyal and protective.  These cats adapt well to most home environments and get along well with other pets.

The “dog cat”

Cymric cats are loyal and very friendly.  They will come when called or follow their owners everywhere, including into the shower (Cymrics love to play with water). This furry round basketball is chatty, too.  It has a sweet vocabulary of quiet chirps, calls, and trills.

The breed’s friendliness doesn’t automatically transfer to guests and other strangers.  Cymrics can be a little shy, and they will let you know when somebody new is at the door.

These cats are smart and can learn to walk on a leash.  They also can be trained to play fetch.  Unlike many dogs, though, a Cymric cat will figure out how to open a door or a drawer.  So far, these intelligent kitties haven’t worked out locks, so be sure to use one on anything you want to keep out of your Cymric’s reach.

Good with families and pets

A Cymric will either adopt the entire household or bond with one or two favorite people.  That bond can be so strong that Kitty needs no other companion.  It gets lonely when you are away, but will be happier if there is another animal around to keep it company.

This cat breed is friendly enough to tolerate children most of the time, especially if the cat is young when they are introduced.  When things get too intense, Kitty will quietly signal that playtime is over by walking away or wiggling out of little arms.

Cymric cats fit in well with other pets, including dogs.  However, they have a strong hunting instinct and may go after birds, fish, or rodent-like pets.  Cage doors should be securely locked, even if they seem out of reach, and aquarium lids should be tightly fastened to the tank.  Cymrics are great at fishing!

Grooming and Upkeep:

The thick double coat of a Cymric cat needs brushing two to three times a week.  Kitty will also need regular care of its claws and teeth.

Grooming and bathing a Cymric

These cats have a double coat of dense, silky fur.  It is very easy to comb out and brush.  Some owners groom their Cymric cat daily but many choose to do this just two or three times a week.  The aim is to keep the coat from matting and also reduce shedding.  Regular brushing and combing also cuts down on hairballs.

When grooming a rumpy Cymric, be careful around the area where the tail would be.  Nerves can be close to the surface here, and the cat might be very sensitive.

These cats from the Isle of Man like to play in water, but they dislike baths as much as any other cat.  A show cat needs to be bathed every week, but pets can be washed less often.  Be sure to use a shampoo designed for cats, and have a nice warm towel ready to wrap Kitty up in afterwards.

Routine care

Despite its history as a working cat, the Cymric can be kept indoors all its life.  It isn’t cruel to keep cats inside.  Indoor cats are generally healthier and live longer.  If your Cymric does go out, you will need to watch out for fleas, ticks, and other parasites.  There are several ways to prevent or treat infestations.  Your vet can help you decide the best approach.  The important thing to remember is that the yard and the house also must be treated or the problem will continue.

Domestic cats groom their own claws by scratching, but they need a little help.  Trimming a cat’s claws may seem intimidating at first, but it goes very quickly and easily with practice and the right tools, especially if your Cymric has bonded closely with you.  Check with a veterinarian for tips on how to do this safely.

Tooth care is always challenging for cats.  They are prone to gingivitis, but quite naturally, don’t like anyone touching their teeth.  Some dry foods and treats claim to clean teeth, but this has never been definitely proven to be effective.

Dental care is a little easier with Cymrics, if they have already bonded with you and have been trained from a young age to accept your handling their mouths.  All you may need to do is go over their teeth with a gauze-covered finger a few times a week.  You could also use a vet-approved toothpaste and a cat toothbrush.  If Kitty doesn’t go for this, then the vet might have to do dental cleaning at regular intervals, although this exposes the cat to the risks of general anesthesia.

Nutritional and Exercise Needs:

Cymrics don’t need any special food.  These lively little kitties will get plenty of exercise while interacting with you and with other pets.

Protein and water

Unlike dogs, cats get more energy from protein than they do from carbohydrates.  Commercial cat foods that meet standards established by the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) are designed to give this to them along with the proper balance of other nutrients.

A Cymric cat can live on either dry or canned cat food.  The nice thing about canned food is that it also contains about as much water the cat would get from its prey.  This water content is important because domestic cats don’t always feel the urge to drink, even when they should.  Instead, they get water from their prey.

Domestic cats get slightly dehydrated if they only eat dry food.   Make sure that there is always plenty of fresh water available when you serve dry food, and your Cymric will drink enough to stay healthy.

Active and intelligent

Cymrics are surprisingly agile.  Their long, heavily muscled hind legs compensate for the lack of a tail.  These cats have excellent balance for jumping and running.

They’re also intelligent and need mental challenges.  Your kitty won’t expect you to play chess, but it will appreciate puzzles that challenge it and dispense treats or catnip as rewards.

These former farm cats love hunting games and will be delighted to interact with you at playtime.  Plan to spend some time each day do things like tossing balls, twirling a feather, or sending the laser dot racing around the floor.  Cymric cats also love to ambush things and carry them around in their mouths.

Always praise your kitty exuberantly.  Never yell at it. Cymric cats quickly learn what a firm, gentle “no” means.  They’ll behave because they want to please you and bask in your attention.

Unique Characteristics of Cymric Cats:

The Cymric has beautiful fluffy fur.  Also, no other breeds have the unique tail of Cymric and Manx cats.

That colorful semi-long fur

The gene that gives Cymric cats their beautiful coat is recessive.  In other words, two short-haired cats can have long-haired kittens if they both have the right gene.  If only one has it, then some kittens will be shorthairs and others will be longhairs.

When Cymric kittens are born, their hair looks just like the short-haired Manx kitten’s coat.  Then, within a couple weeks, the top layer of guard hairs appears.  This layer can reach up to 2 inches in length.  This glossy hair is silky and weather resistant.  It falls naturally all over the body, but Kitty still has a nice plush appearance because of its thick, wooly undercoat.

Taillessness

An animal’s tail is an extension of its spinal column.  Cats usually have anywhere from 19 to 23 vertebrae in their tails.  Cymric rumpies have none.  Risers have one to three vertebrae, and stumpies have four to five.

The gene mutation that affects the tail is called M.  It is dominant; that is, the M gene produces a tailless cat even if only one of the cat’s parents carries the gene.  Before genetics was understood, this gene dominance led to a superstition that just having a tailless cat near another cat would make the next litter of kittens tailless.

A litter of Cymric kittens will be a mix of rumpies, risers, stumpies, and longies.  Some kittens may even have normal tails.

Genetically speaking, these normal-tailed cats aren’t Cymrics at all because they don’t have the M gene.  They are sometimes called Isle of Man Longhairs, but currently only the New Zealand Cat Fancy recognizes them.

However they may fit into cat fancier registration systems, tailed Cymrics are very important in keeping the breed healthy.

Health and Wellness:

Cymric cats are generally quite healthy, but the M gene that affects their tail length also makes them prone to spinal deformities.  They also need the usual core immunizations and routine boosters.

Manx syndrome

A cat’s spinal cord normally doesn’t go all the way through the tail.  However, those tail bones do protect the nerves that control Kitty’s hind leg sensation and movement as well as its bowel and bladder function.

Technically, the M gene mutation that makes tailless Manx and Cymric cats so special is a spinal defect.  Sometimes it shortens the cat’s spine too much and causes serious problems.  This is called Manx syndrome, even if it happens in the Cymric breed.

Manx syndrome shows up in the first few weeks or months of life.  A kitten will have problems walking or may even become paralyzed.  It will also get urinary and fecal incontinence.  Sadly, there is no cure.

While some inherited disorders can be bred out of a cat line, this isn’t possible with Manx and Cymric cats because the problem is caused by the same gene that makes these two breeds unique.

It helps to use tailed cats in Manx and Cymric breeding programs.  For genetic reasons, this reduces the chances for Manx syndrome.  It also cuts down on the number of miscarriages that can happen when two tailless cats breed over many generations.

Cymric cat breeders also keep kittens longer before selling them, just to see if Manx syndrome will develop.  It’s very unlikely that you will ever get a Cymric kitten with Manx syndrome from an ethical breeder.

Routine health care

Cymric cats need core immunizations for feline distemper (parvovirus) and two serious upper respiratory infections (FHV-1 and FCV).  They may also need to be vaccinated against rabies; it depends on local laws.

Core vaccinations are first given to kittens at six weeks or older, and then every three or four weeks for the next ten weeks.  Adult cats can have them, too, although females shouldn’t be vaccinated while they’re in heat.  After this initial series, your cat will only need a booster every one to three years, depending on the vaccine.

Your Cymric may need other vaccinations, depending on where you live and the cat’s lifestyle (whether it goes outdoors or is exposed to other cats, if you plan to breed it, etc.).  The vet can tell you which typically optional vaccines might be necessary.

It’s also a good idea to talk with the vet about intestinal parasites if your cat has had fleas.  Some over-the-counter worming treatments can be poisonous, or they may not treat the specific parasite Kitty has picked up.  Deworming is definitely a job for a professional.

Cymrics cats are prone to obesity.  They’re active, but they like to eat, too.  Their fur, their overall roundness, and their strong bones and muscles all make it hard to tell when these cats are overweight.

It’s not hard to help a Cymric lose weight.  Kitty will enjoy the extra attention as you offer it playtime a little more often.  You can also cut calories by simply by watching how much food you give at each feeding.  If anything is left over, serve a little less next time.  If all else fails, the vet can suggest a good feline weight loss food.

Interesting Facts about Cymrics:

• The name Cymric is pronounced as either kum-rick or kim-rick.
• Cymric cats like water so much they may come to you and ask you to turn on the faucet.
• Breeders often dock the tails of stumpies and longies while the cat is a kitten, since this tail tends to get arthritic later in the cat’s life.
• On average, Cymrics can live 8-14 years..
• Cymrics look longer than Manx cats, but this is just an optical illusion because of the fur. The two breeds have an almost identical body build.
• Some Cymric cats have tufts of hair on their ears and toes. Expect to pay more for these kitties!