Ok, for those of you who have read a couple of our cat or dog breed reviews here at IndulgeYourPet, you will probably already notice that we don’t get all that excited about “normal” looking dogs or cats. We like those animals that look slightly different or, dare we even say, a bit “odd.” For us, these are the “types” of animals that are the most interesting and the most “fun” to have around.
Which is why…
As you can probably already tell, the Cymric cat breed is one of our favorites. And not just because they don’t have a tail and somewhat behave like a dog, they are one of our favorites because they also have a great personality and origin mythology story behind their existence. But this does not mean that you should just run out and try and find the nearest Cymric cat breeder so you can adopt one today! It just means that if you are considering purchasing a new kitten soon, you should take a moment or two and learn more about this breed because a Cymric might be just the cat you’re looking for!
And…
This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet choose to write articles like these. Because we know that while it is true that every cat is going to have a unique personality, some generalizations can be made about certain cat breeds that may help you narrow down “which” breed might be best for you. So, in this article, we’re going to try and shed some light on what it might be like to own a Cymric cat so that you can better judge for yourself if adopting one will be the right choice for you and your family.
Cymric Cat Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Canada or the Isle of Man (Technically a part of Great Britain), depending on how you want to look at it.
Size: Medium
Weight: 9 to 12 pounds
Eyes: Round
Shape of Head: Round
Life Span: 8 to 14 pounds
The Origins of the Cymric Cat Breed
Technically, the Cymric cat breed is simply a longhaired version of the Manx cat. So, while some may consider the species “separate” or “cousin breeds,” the truth is, they’re practically brothers! For this reason, to adequately describe the origins of the Cymric breed, we will first discuss how the Manx breed came into existence.
The Manx cat breed…
It traces its roots back to the Isle of Mann, a small, independent island about two hours by ferry west of the English coast. Due to the small population of island cats, what started as a “recessive gene” mutation, which would have probably only occurred in one or two generations of cats had they occurred in a larger gene pool population, was able to “establish” itself on this isolated island and develop into its unique cat breed.
Now we say that…
The Manx results from a “genetic mutation” because that is the “leading” theory on how this cat came into existence. Still, we should point out that there is a competing theory and one that we find very interesting. Celtic fol lore attributes the Manx’s missing tail to the fact that this was the last animal to make it on Noah’s Ark! And just as the ship was going to set sail, the Manx jumped on board.
Only to have…
His tail was “chopped” off as Noah slammed the door to his Ark This is why the Manx doesn’t have a seat today! If this sounds unreasonable, there is another competing theory that Noah’s dog was responsible for the Manx losing his tail. This version of the story also explains why the Manx ended up on the Isle of Mann because, to get away from Noah’s dog, legend has it that he jumped off the Ark and swam to the Isle of Mann.
And while…
We’re not sure which of these three competing theories is correct. What we can tell you is that all three are much better than the last, which claims that the reason why the Manx doesn’t have a tail is that the Manx mothers used to “bite off” the bottoms of their kittens to prevent the Vikings (and later the Irish) from cutting them off and using them as good luck charms!
And with that said…
We’ll leave it up to you to decide which origin story is correct. What is known for sure is that over the years, the tailless trait was “established” on the island, and in the early 1920s, the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) did decide to “officially” recognize the breed. That said, however, the Manx breed “must” be a shorthaired variety, which left the longhaired “Cymric” version out in the “cold.” You see, over the years, the longhaired version of the Manx did occur here and there on the Island of Mann; however, these “versions” of the Manx breed were always discarded for the litters simply because these “versions” were not considered desirable by the Manx breeders.
That all changed, however…
A few years later, after the Cat Fanciers Association officially recognized the Manx, the longhaired version of the Manx, known as the Cymric, was deliberately bred in Canada.
Unfortunately, some organizations (such as The International Cat Association, TICA) do not recognize the Cymric as a breed within its right and still classify it as a type of Manx. However, we here at IndulgeYourPet feel that one day they will be, mainly because groups like the CFA have decided to recognize this breed as unique. Either way, it doesn’t change that the Cymric is a really “cool-looking cat with a great personality!
Physical Characteristics
This fancy feline will be missing one tail (or will have a very short, half-a-tail) and a long double coat instead of the Manx’ short skin or the American Short Hair that they are sometimes bred with. The Cymric tail will be short,, similar to the American Bobtail or Japanese Bobtail. But unlike these two other breeds, the Cymric cat will tend to have a bit “rounder” body instead of a long and slender build. Also, Cymric Breeders will typically only favor cats no bigger than 13 pounds with big eyes and wide, flattened ears.
It should also be noted that Cymric cats occasionally come in a long-tailed variant, but it is rare. Unfortunately, these cats won’t “conform” to the “officially” recognized standard, so most breeders will prevent these cats from producing any future litters.
Personality and Temperament
The Cymric cat breed is like a little watchdog…cat. It will growl at strangers, hiss at things that scare it, and generally prowl around your house being suspicious. However, it is a VERY loving beast towards those it knows but is unlikely to get on with certain dog breeds (think back to its prior encounters with Noah’s dog). Now, if your pup is old and slow or simply just docile, then your Cymric might have a chance of becoming its friend, but if your dog is a little boisterous, don’t go for a Cymric.
The excellent news is…
The Cymric is generally pretty good with kids, and since he doesn’t have a tail, we don’t have to worry about your children yanking on it! These cats also have a very high “prey drive” mentality. This means that they will likely be very “accomplished” and “proficient” hunters, which is excellent, provided you don’t have any hamsters or guinea pigs running around. It’s also why it’s often a good idea to let these guys roam outside to put some of those hunting instincts to work on the neighborhood’s rodent population and not on anything within the house that could be torn apart!
Potential Health Issues
The Cymric is descended from the Manx and has almost a hundred years of interbreeding, so we can expect a few issues. And… because the cat population on the Isle of Mann was not huge, we can expect that they may be at an increased risk of suffering from some inheritable disease such as:
- Arthritis,
- Corneal dystrophy,
- Neurological issues could impair your cat’s ability to have “natural” bowel movements.
This is why you’ll want to be sure to only work with a reputable Cymric cat breeder who is familiar with these “types” of medical conditions and is willing to guarantee the health of any animal they sell.
It’s also why…
Suppose you are considering purchasing a Cymric kitten or, better yet, adopting a Cymric rescue cat. In that case, you should also take a moment and see what it might cost to buy a pet insurance policy for your animal. If your pet becomes sick or injured in the future, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of their medical bills!
For more information on who we “feel” currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry right now, feel free to check out our Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
