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Manx Cat

The Breed

A stocky, solidly built cat with a short back and compact body. It has long back legs which are noticeably longer then the front legs. Covered in a dense double coat the cats can weigh on average 10 to 12 pounds for males and 8 to 10 pounds for females. A highly intelligent and affectionate breed often referred to as the "Dog Cat".

The Manx breed is the result of spontaneous mutation, which occurred hundreds of years ago. This mutation caused kittens to be born without the vertebrae which forms a normal cat tail. The isolation of the cats on an island meant years of inbreeding produced dominate gene traits, which we now recognise as the Manx Cat.

Types

  • Rumpy - Completely tailless.
  • Riser - Bit of stump at base of spine.
  • Stumpy - A short stump of a tail.
  • Longy - A visible short tail.

    Mythology and Folklore of the Manx Cat

    There are many ideas as to how the Manx Cats might have come into being. Listed here are some of such tales ...

    When filling the ark and the rains came down, Noah closed the door and caught the tail of a cat.

    Cats from ships wrecked on the coasts around the Isle of Man came ashore and made the Island their home.

    Mother cats bit off the tails of their kittens to keep them from being snatched by the invading Scandinavians, who cut off the tails and used them for decorating their helmets.


    Publications
    The Manx Cat (Learning about Cats (Capstone))
    Joanne Mattern
    Capstone Press, Library Binding, July, 2002
    ISBN: 0736813012
    List Price: £11.93
    New Price: £11.93
    Used Price: £8.19
    Third Party Price: £7.90
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    Manx Cats (Checkerboard Animal Library)
    Stuart A. Kallen
    Abdo&Daughters Publishing, Library Binding, September, 1995
    ISBN: 1562394495
    List Price: £11.10
    Used Price: £20.46
    Third Party Price: £11.28
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    The Manx Cat
    Marjan Swantek
    Tfh Pubns Inc, Hardcover, June, 1987
    ISBN: 0866227245
    List Price: £9.92
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    Tales of the Tailless
    Robert Kelly
    The Manx Experience, Paperback, 01 January, 2001
    ISBN: 1873120222
    List Price: £7.75
    New Price: £9.74
    Used Price: £6.00
    Buy Now More Info
  • Manx Cat in Old Laxey

    Manx Cat at Castle Rushen

    Manx Cat at Farrants Fort

    Manx Cat along Laxey River

    Manx Cat in Peel

    Manx Cat in Peel

    Manx Cat in Maughold

    Manx Cat on Ramsey Rail Tracks

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