Manx Cats
The Manx breed originated before the 1700s on the Isle of Man (hence the name), where they are common. They are called stubbin in the Manx language. Tail-less cats were common on the island as long as three hundred years ago. The tail-lessness arises from a genetic mutation that became common on the island (an example of the founder effect).
Folk beliefs claim the Manx cats came from the Spanish Armada; a ship foundered on Spanish Rock on the coast of the Isle of Man. According to legend, the cats on the ship swam ashore and became an established breed. Legend has it that the cats originally went onboard the Spanish ship in the Far East.
The Manx tail-less gene is dominant and highly penetrant; kittens from Manx parents are generally born without any tail. Having two copies of the gene is semi-lethal and kittens are usually spontaneously aborted before birth.
History of Manx Cats
Physical Characteristics
The Manx is a stocky, solid cat with a dense double coat (long or short), a compact body, very short back, hind legs that are visibly longer than the front legs, big bones, a wide chest, and greater depth of flank (sides of the cat nearest the rear) than other cats. The standard weight for males is 10-12 lbs. and for females is 8-10 lbs. The Manx head is broad-jowled with round eyes, and the ear-set is distinct to the breed--when viewed from the back, the ears and the top of the head form a "cradle" or "rocker" shape. The ears themselves are broad at the base and taper to a narrower, rounded tip. This is the general appearance of all Manx cats, regardless of whether they are show-quality or not.
Although the completely tailless, or "rumpy," Manx is the desired show type, Manx may also have tails. A litter of kittens may include a rumpy, a "riser" (has a bit of cartilage at the base of the spine, under the skin, that may be felt when the cat is happy), a "stumpy" (any tail length not long, but visibly a tail), and a "longy," and all are Manxes.
Temperament
The Manx is a mellow, even-tempered cat, friendly and affectionate. Its origins as a "working" cat are still strongly seen in the breed, and any Manx which lives an outdoor or outdoor/indoor life is a fierce, dedicated hunter. Many people call the Manx the "dog cat" because of its strong desire to be with its people. Manx cats will follow you about the house, "helping" with whatever you happen to be doing at the moment. Manx cats are not prone to restive movement, and even kittens like to curl up in a lap for a nap. Manx do like to get on things, and if you're looking for your cat, look about the room at eye-level (yours, not the cat's) on tables and the backs of chairs and on bookcases. Chances are, you'll spot your cat pretty quickly.
Manx make good pets for younger children if they grow up with them, because of their even-temperedness. An older Manx may have some difficulty adjusting to the noise and quickness of children, however, since Manx generally prefer a quiet, settled environment. If your home is a quiet one, you'll find that your young Manx quickly becomes accustomed to that peace and quiet, and simply slamming a door may startle the cat. For the most part, though, Manx aren't timid cats, and will place a lot of confidence in their people's reaction to events. A Manx that has been raised in a family environment will transfer easily to another home and remain a happy, playful cat.