Manx cats: breed description with photo

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

The cat creates an atmosphere of kindness and warmth in the house. With her mere presence, the fluffy beauty calms and gives a wonderful mood. People have bred dozens of breeds of these graceful animals. For example, some individuals are hairless or have unusually shaped ears. Manx cats have a very short tail, and sometimes it is completely absent. You can learn more about these beautiful creatures from the article.

Historical background

The Isle of Man, which belongs to Great Britain, is considered the birthplace of these beautiful animals. You need to start describing the Manx cat breed, a breed that does not have a tail, with the history of its occurrence. It is believed that the ancestors of these animals miraculously escaped from a ship in distress. At that time, cats still had a tail, but then, due to mutations, it disappeared.

According to another version, the ancestors of animals of this breed arrived in the UK on merchant ships from the Far East. The Isle of Man was isolated from the mainland, which led to inbreeding amongcats. This is what led to numerous mutations, as a result of which individuals appeared that did not have a tail. The breeding of animals in those days was not controlled by anyone, so cats with an interesting defect continued to mate with other cats. Over time, tailless animals became more and more.

In Europe, they learned about an unusual breed only in the 19th century. Breeders began to carry out selection work only in the 20s of the 20th century. Now the breed is known and has many fans, but it is especially loved in Western Europe.

Standard

The animal has rounded lines of the torso and head. In the description of the Manx cat breed, the body must be strong and muscular. An animal that is brought to the exhibition for examination must be completely he althy, otherwise it will be disqualified.

Manx heads are rounded and large. Cheeks and cheekbones are well defined. The nose is short, wide and straight. The bite is correct, the muzzle is developed. The ears should be in proportion to the head. They are set high and slightly outward looking. They are wide at the base but taper towards the tips. Sparse long hair grows inside the ears. The eyes are expressive, large, round. Ideally, their color should match the tone of the coat.

The body is harmoniously developed, strong, compact. The chest is well defined, the ribs are not flat. But despite their impressive size, the Manx does not look obese and awkward, they are rather strong and fit. The back is short, especially in cats, but the body must stilllook harmonious. The front legs are short, but the hind legs are noticeably longer. The tail is absent, the croup is wide and muscular.

Manx coat is shiny and very soft. To the touch, it resembles a feather bed or a pillow. Double wool. All shades are acceptable, except for the Siamese color. Crossing Manx with any other breed is strictly prohibited.

Varieties

The main feature of Manx cats is the tail. 4 varieties of these animals are known:

• rumpy;
• riser;
• stumpy;
• longs.

Because of the unusual tail, the cat is called the Manx Patronus cat. This is a very beautiful mystical entity from the world of magic. The most popular type of Manx is the Rampy. She completely lacks a tail, and in its place there is a characteristic hole. The back of these cats is perfectly round.

The second type of Manx is the riser, also called the riser. They have cartilage in the place where the tail should be. Outwardly, it is completely invisible, since the coat completely hides it. The Stumpy variety has a tail, but it should not be longer than 2.5 cm. The process is clearly visible in the coat and consists of 1 or 2 vertebrae. The last variety - longs - has a tail of ordinary length. They are also called tailed Manx.

Character

Looking at photos of Manx cats, people immediately get the feeling that this is a very smart and playful animal. And there is. Manx love to spend time with their master and very hard to endure separation from him. If athe owner will be at home, then the faithful cat will definitely take a place near him.

Manx loves children and would love to play with them. But this cat is not a plush toy, so anyone who pulls on his ears or paws will be immediately punished. But if you do not offend the Manx, then this is a very friendly and peaceful animal.

Games are a favorite pastime for these cats. They love to jump or run after the ball in a fun way. When resting, the Manx tries to take a place at the top so that he has a good view of the dwelling. These cats can easily learn tricks, they can even follow commands. If the owner loves to travel, then the Manx can be a great companion for him.

Buying a kitten

In Russia, there are practically no breeders involved in this breed, so, most likely, you will have to buy a baby in Europe. Looking at the photos of Manx cats, it is impossible not to fall in love with them. But breeding these animals is very difficult, and therefore the cost of a fluffy beauty will be expensive. Now the minimum price for a cat of this breed is 30-50 thousand rubles. The price of cats that completely lack a tail can reach up to 100 thousand rubles. Show class animals can cost even more.

Most Manx kennels are located in America and Great Britain. They are reluctant to sell promising animals for breeding in Russia. Therefore, people who want to buy a kitten will face some difficulties. Conscientious breeders sell babies already vaccinated and aged after 3 months. Together withpet buyers receive a veterinary passport and a cat card for free.

Manx care

Although these cats have short hair, they need to be combed. Often this is not necessary, a few times a week is enough. It is most convenient to comb out the dead undercoat with special slicker brushes. Manx cats love to watch the water but are reluctant to bathe themselves.

A pet's eyes and ears can get dirty and should be cleaned regularly with hygienic drops available from a veterinarian's pharmacy. If desired, the owner can trim the cat's claws, usually this should be done no more than once a month.

Manx love the company of their owners, but sometimes they want to be alone. On the day of these goals, the owner can buy a special cat house for the pet. In it, Manx can sleep or just take a break from games. The house should be placed in a calm, quiet place so that no one disturbs the cat.

If the owner walks with the Manx, then he should regularly treat him for fleas. It is most convenient to use drops at the withers for these purposes. Also, regardless of whether the Manx walks or not, it must be periodically treated for worms. The cat also needs annual vaccinations. If the Manx walks on the street, then the owner must buy him a harness so that the pet does not run away.

Feeding

Manx are picky eaters, so they can eat both quality food and balanced natural food. Owners must specialpay attention to the content in the diet of a sufficient amount of vitamins, especially calcium. Due to the rapid intensive growth, by 3-6 months the kitten practically reaches the weight that an adult animal should have. This is a big load on the skeleton and internal organs of the baby, so the lack of nutrients in this case is unacceptable.

For advice on the choice of food, the owner can contact either the veterinarian or the breeder. It is impossible to feed Manx cats with food from the table, this will lead to the development of diseases in the future. Cheap low-quality food for a gentle pet is also not suitable. If suddenly the cat began to refuse food or he had problems with the gastrointestinal tract, the pet should be taken to a veterinary clinic.

He alth

Manx cats are prone to diseases of the spine. This is due to the tailless gene that the baby receives from its parents. Moreover, if the kitten receives it from both dad and mom, then he will die without even being born. If the gene is transmitted from only one of the parents, then the baby will be born safely, but, like all Manx, he will be prone to spinal diseases.

In all other respects, these are practically he althy cats, they suffer from ailments no more often than representatives of other breeds. However, diseases of the spine in a matter of months can turn a pet into a deep invalid. He may develop rectal lesions and spina bifida. Veterinarians call this Manx Syndrome. Often this disease develops in a kitten in the first months of life, but even if allIf it doesn't, the danger doesn't go away. Manx syndrome can affect a cat at a year, and at 5 years, and at 10.

Breeding

It is forbidden to mate 2 tailless Manx cats. This will lead to the birth of either non-viable offspring, or profound disabilities. Therefore, a tailless cat is always picked up by a cavalier of the longi variety. Thanks to such mating, completely he althy babies will most likely appear. There can be both tailless kittens and long kittens in one litter.

Breeders are now conducting their breeding activities aimed at preserving the historical appearance of the breed and reducing the negative manifestations of the mutation. When selling kittens, owners are given written guarantees of the he alth of the baby.

Interesting Manx Facts

There is an ancient legend about the origin of these tailless cats. When Noah was building his ark, he called the Manx to it. The cat then still had a standard tail and was very proud. Manx said that he did not intend to huddle in the ark with the rest of the animals and would wait out the flood elsewhere. However, when the water began to rise, he changed his mind and jumped on board at the very last moment, his tail pressed against the door. According to legend, this is how Manx cats acquired their modern look.

Owner Reviews

These pets are playful, love their owner and, if necessary, are even ready to defend him. Reviews about Manx cats are only positive. Some owners are frustrated by the animals' propensity for dangerous spinal disease,but in this case, they try to visit the veterinarian more often.

Manx love the company of children and other animals. A cat of this breed can be taken as a second pet. Manx do not require special care, they are also picky eaters. These cats can be taken on walks where they will walk on a leash like dogs. Also, Manx can become faithful companions of travelers, as they are not afraid of a change of scenery.