Overall, the cat should have the appearance of a medium-sized, compact, muscular cat. The Cymric has a round head with a solid nose and prominent cheeks, short front legs, a tall hindquarters, a deep flank, and a short back with a smooth continuous arch from the shoulders to the round rump.
The Manx and Cymric are nearly identical in every way, with the Cymric having a longer coat. The Cymric has a medium to semi-long coat with a smooth feel that varies depending on coat color. The Cymric is distinguished by breeches, tufts of hair between the toes, and complete decorations in the ears.
Personality
The Cymric’s personality has gained a large following. Cymrics are fun-loving, clever cats who get along well with other pets, even dogs. Cymrics are known for their devotion to their humans and enjoy spending time with them. Cats, on the other hand, are easily taught tricks. They are kind and nonaggressive despite their lively nature.
The Cymric’s whimsical yet approachable personalities make them an excellent choice for families with youngsters. Cymrics are strong jumpers who, if sufficiently driven, can breach even the most secure shelf. They are likewise interested by water, as long as they are not submerged in it. Perhaps this attraction stems from having grown up on a small plot of property surrounded by it.
History
Researchers believe that human colonizers and explorers introduced the Manx to the Isle of Man, where they had lived for generations. The Isle of Man, lying between England and Ireland in the Irish Sea, has no indigenous domestic cat species, and numerous hypotheses abound regarding the arrival of domestic cats. Arrival with the Spanish Armada, Phoenician traders, or Viking invaders who settled the Isle of Man are all possible sources.
Records have been discovered that characterize the cat as a mutation among the island’s domestic cats, rather than a cat that arrived already missing its tail. Unlike most other breeds with short tails, the lack of a tail in this case is controlled by a dominant gene. This suggests that the Manx and the Cymric (KIM-ric) are unrelated to breeds with recessive genes for tails, such as the Japanese Bobtail. Manx cats are also mentioned in early American cat registry records. The Cymric appears to have existed for as long as the Manx itself.
While the Cymric was first displayed in the ACA in 1963, the breed didn’t really take off until the mid-1970s. Originally known as Longhaired Manx, the character’s name was changed to Cymric during this time period. Blair Wright and Leslie Falteisek, pioneer Cymric breeders, picked the word as the Welsh name for Wales. CCA was the first to accept the Cymric for championship status in 1976; it currently has full championship standing in the majority of organisations.
The CFF is the only association that does not accept the Cymric; however, this is because no group of fanciers has advocated for acceptance. CFA changed the name from Cymric to Longhair Manx in May 1994; both hair lengths share a single breed standard. Because only hair length distinguishes the two breeds, CFA breeders advocated for the Cymric to be declared a subspecies of the Manx. Longhaired kittens born to Manx parents can be registered as Cymrics in all associations except CFF if both parents have the recessive gene for long hair.
This eliminates the previous status issues associated with “split litters” that have both hair lengths present. Because of the Manx gene, the Cymric and the Manx are two of the most difficult to breed. Cymric embryos that are homozygous for the Manx gene (inherited from both parents) die in the womb. Because homozygous kittens account for around one-fourth of all kittens conceived, Cymric litters are typically tiny (see Manx profile, page 187). Even heterozygous kittens can have malformations such as spina bifida, spine fusions, and colon anomalies, thus any breeding must be carefully managed to minimize the problems.
Physical Attributes
BODY
Compact; well-balanced; powerfully muscled; medium size; strong bone structure; broad chest; short back generating a smooth, continuous arch from shoulders to rump; extraordinarily broad and round rump
HEAD
Rounded and a little longer than wide. Size medium. The mature stud cat has large cheeks and stud jowls. Strong chin. Muzzle is slightly longer than wide, with a distinct muzzle break. Whisker pads that are round. In profile, there is a slight nose dip and a moderately rounded forehead. The neck is short and thick.
EARS
Wide in the base, tapering to a rounded tip. They are medium in size and spaced far apart; when viewed from behind, they resemble cradle rockers. In the Cymric, hair can be tufted with full furnishings.
EYES
Rounded and large-angled, slightly higher towards the eye’s outer edge. Color matches the coat color but should be evaluated only if all other points are equal.
PAWS & LEGS
Legs with strong boning and muscle mass. The forelegs are shorter than the hind legs. When viewed from behind, hind legs with significant musculature should be straight. Medium-sized circular feet with a round contour. Toe tufts are suggested in the Cymric.
TAIL
There appears to be no tail.
COAT
Double coat in medium. Silky in texture. The texture of the coat can differ depending on the hue. Because of the open outer coat and thick close undercoat, the coat should be well-padded. Seasonal variations in coat length and texture are permitted.
COLOR
Any color or pattern will do.
Disclaimer
While the qualities listed below are common for this breed, cats are individuals with unique personalities and appearances. For more information about a specific pet, please contact the adoption group.
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