Manx & Cymric

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The Manx Cat originated on the Isle of Man. Records of tailless cats on this island go back to at least the 1820’s. King Edward the VII was a Manx owner and perhaps encouraged interest in the breed. Manx were one of the first cats to ever be shown and in the 1930’s the demand for breeding stock was so high that the Isle of Man feared the breed would disappear from the island. In the 1960’s a government funded breeding colony was set up to preserve the future of the breed in it’s native home. Longhair’s were also often seen. In Australia the Longhaired Manx is known as a Cymric

Although the Rumpy Manx is what most people think of as a Manx. The Manx actually comes in various tail lengths. There are Rumpies (no tail) Stumpies (Very short stump of tail) Stubbies (a bit more tail) longies (even more tail) and fully tailed Manx that do not carry the Manx gene.   

The Manx itself is a controversial breed because the “M” gene for taillessness can be associated with skeletal deformities. Breeders who continue to breed for shorter and shorter spines in the pursuit of getting lots of “Show Rumpies” may run into problems, as taking the tailless characteristic to the extreme can lead to spinal problems (remember - any physical characteristic taken to the extreme can be damaging to the health of the cat!!). The Manx survived naturally on the Isle of Man long before the intervention of the cat fancy and is by no means a breeder’s invention. These natural colonies were made up of cats with various tail lengths, including many tailed cats. To breed Manx it is necessary to keep tailed cats in the program. Therefore Manx are notoriously difficult to breed as many variations of tail length can be born in the one litter and the desired show Rumpies may be in the minority. Responsible breeders must accept this variation. Manx cats are actually very sturdy and robust in health, many living beyond 20 years of age. In Australia, British Shorthairs and Longhairs are accepted as an outcross for breeding Manx & Cymric. Tailed Manx are also valuable as part of the breeding program.

Although they are one of the oldest recognized breeds, Pedigree Manx are very difficult to find in Australia. It took us 12 months to finally get our first queen. She is a Show Quality Rumpy. Her temperament is fantastic; she has the loudest purr you have ever heard!!!

Nivek Catreeny

Blue Tabby & White Rumpy Manx

Sire: Nivek B&W Minstrel (Black & White Manx)
Dam: Nivek Millie Manx (Black Mackerel Tabby Manx)

Contact: Gary & Jenny

Phone: 03 9736 4587

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