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Cymric |
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TranslationFrancis Vandersteen |
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OriginThe Cymric is a cat breed from the Isle of Man (British Isles). |
| This cat is the semi-long-haired variety of the Manx, which has the particularity of not having a tail. |
A brief historical overview |
| Like the Manx, the Cymric originated on the British Isle of Man. As the island's cat population was isolated, a genetic mutation responsible for the absence of a tail spread through inbreeding. Semi-longhaired Manx cats are also found among Manx cats, and it's these that are known as Cymric or Longhaired Manx. Both varieties were bred by a Canadian, Blair Wright, and an American, Leslie Falteisek. The name Cymric comes from the Welsh “Cymru”, which simply means “Wales”. While the Manx was recognized in the 1920s, the Cymric was accepted later. The Canadian Cat Association (CCA) recognized the breed in 1970, and the CFA in 1989, naming it “Longhaired Manx”. The breed is very rare in Europe, but has been recognized by the FIFé. British folklore attributes this trait to the stinginess of the island's inhabitants, who, during a harsh winter long ago, cut off the tails of all the cats to save firewood. In effect, the door of the house would close faster on the cats, preventing the heat from escaping outside. Another anecdote has it that this cat doesn't have a tail, as it was the last to enter Noah's Ark before the door slammed shut. |
Behavior / characteristics |
| Like the Manx, this cat is playful, active and very sociable. It gets on well with children, strangers and other animals. However, these traits are entirely individual and depend above all on the history of each cat. |
Head |
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Cranial region |
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Head |
The head is round but slightly longer than it is wide, of medium size, with a rounded forehead and prominent cheekbones. | |
Facial region |
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Eyes |
The eyes are large and round, and their color should match the coat. | |
Ears |
Broad at the base, rounded at the tip. They are set wide apart on the head, with lots of hair on the inside of the ear. | |
Body |
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Generality |
The Cymric's physique is the same as that of the Manx, i.e., a compact, short but robust body with a rounded croup and pronounced musculature. | |
Tail |
| A breed peculiarity, the tail is almost non-existent. As with the Manx, there are four types of tail: Rumpy: no tail at all. Rumpy riser: swelling of 1 to 3 sacral vertebrae. Stumpy: swelling of 1 to 3 caudal vertebrae. Longy: normal tail, but will not be accepted for championship. |
Limbs |
| The legs are robust, both muscular and boned. The forelegs are shorter than the hind legs, and the paws are round and of medium size. | ||
Forequarters |
Hindquarters |
Coat |
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Coat and texture |
The Cymric's coat is medium-length, silky and with a thick undercoat. The breeches and ruff are well furnished, with seasonal variations, and hair between the toes and inside the ears is appreciated. All colors and coats are permitted. | |
Size and weight |
Authorized marriages |
| Crosses are permitted with Manx, British Shorthair and British Longhair. However, rumpy, rumpy riser and stumpy subjects may only be crossed with Cymric or Manx longy. |
English (United Kingdom)