Cymric
A long-haired version of the Manx, the Cymric first appeared in Canada in the 1960s in litter strictly pedigreed cats that had no long-haired animals in their ancestry. The new cats were bred together, and the breed held true.
The Cymric’s predecessor, the Manx, is itself a genetic mutation first discovered on the Isle of Man, in the Irish Sea. The length of the tail, which is totally actually can vary quite widely and in some individuals is only a bit shorter than normal cat tails. Some individuals have a remnant tail and these are dubbed “Stumpies,” while those which have nearly full tails are called “Longies.”
Some theories suggest that the Manx, the subsequently the Cymric, are actually descendants of the Japanese Bobtail or a related breed that was somehow transported to this distant island half a world from its native land in the Far East. Other tales tell of invaders that nipped the tails from the cats as a sort of victory symbol and of queens that habitually bit the tails from their offspring.
Cymrics are affectionate, very intelligent cats, happiest when they are doing something. They have good mousing ability and enjoy time outdoors, but they are very comfortable at home as well. They get along well with other animals, including dogs.
All colors and patterns are acceptable in the Cymric, which has a medium to long coat with a thick undercoat and shiny, smooth top hairs. The body has a stocky, muscular build. In the true breed standard, the end of the thumb should fit into the hollow that marks the spot where the tail should start. The overall body generally has an arched appearance, due to shorter than normal vertebrae.
The legs are short and thick, with the hindlegs longer than the forelegs. The pages are round and large. The head is round, with a short nose, strong chin, large, round dyes, and medium ears that are rounded at the tips.
The coat requires regular brushing, but it is easily groomed and very rarely mats. The Cymric is prone to spina bifida, the result of the same genes that affect the tail vertebrae.
Because the bodily features that give the breed its distinction are essentially genetic defects, the Cymric is a controversial breed. If it were introduced for recognition today, further breeding would probably be discouraged.
See more: Javanese Cat
