Manx Cats 101: A Guide to the Unusual Cat Why This Breed is Part of England's History

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Manx cats photo
Small Breed Manx

Is The Manx Cat Good For You?

  • 1 Manx cats are unique for having little or no tail due to a natural mutation.
  • 2 The Manx was always a highly desirable cat because of their strong hunting skills which made them top mousers.
  • 3 The Manx cat is susceptible to spinal issues relating to the shortness of the tail.

HISTORY

The Manx is a breed that can trace their origin back hundreds of years, back to a small island in the Irish Sea known as the Isle of Man. If the myths surrounding these cats are to be believed, they first arrived on the island after a Viking ship, carrying cats to help keep the ship free of vermin, was marooned on the island, where their Norwegian longhaired forest cats bred with the shorthaired cats native to the island. Regardless of where they came from, this cat has been an invaluable working cat for the people of Man for years.

Quick Facts

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    Size

    Medium, Large

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    Lifespan

    10 - 12 years

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    Hair Length

    Short

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    Litter Size

    An average of 5 kittens

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    Male Weight

    9 - 13 pounds

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    Female Weight

    7 - 11 pounds

Personality

The Manx is a smart, dog-like breed that is known for their loyalty and love of play. Getting along great with everyone in the family, from kids to other pets, these cats are always up for a game. Also a wonderful hunting cat, they donโ€™t need any help taking out anything they consider prey, whether it is a mouse, a bug, or a bag of catnip. A great jumper, this cat can get everywhere!.

Color

The Manx can come in a wide variety of colors and patterns.

Health Concerns

Manx syndrome is the most common disease affecting this breed. This can result in:

Appearance

The Manx is a fairly compact breed, especially if they are one of the Manxes born without a tail, as is quite common with this breed. Their hind legs are incredibly powerful, giving them the ability to propel them at great speeds and launch them through the air. Their face is similar to that of a domestic shorthair, with a medium length muzzle and wide eyes. They can either be long or short haired, and in general they weigh somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 pounds.

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