Cymric

Like the Manx, the Cymric originates from the British island of Man. The feline population of the island being isolated, a genetic mutation responsible for the absence of a tail spread due to inbreeding. Among Manx cats, individuals with semi-long hair are also encountered, these are the ones called Cymric or Longhaired Manx. Both varieties were selected by a Canadian, Blair Wright and an American, Leslie Falteisek. The name Cymric comes from Welsh "Cymru" which simply means "Wales". While the Manx was recognized in the 1920s, the Cymric is accepted later. The Canadian Cat Association (CCA) recognizes the breed in 1970, the CFA in 1989, however naming it "Longhaired Manx". The breed is very rare in Europe but has been recognized by the FIFe. British folklore attributes this character to the stinginess of the inhabitants of the island, who, during a very harsh distant winter, cut the tails of all cats to save heating wood. Indeed, the door of the house would close faster on the cats, which would prevent heat from escaping outside. Another anecdote tells that this cat has no tail because it was the last to enter Noah's ark before the door closed and severed it.

Like the Manx, this would be a playful, active and very sociable cat. It would get along very well with children, strangers or other animals. These character traits remain however perfectly individual and are above all functions of each cat's history.

The physique of the Cymric is the same as that of the Manx, that is to say a compact body, short but robust with a rounded rump and well-developed musculature. The legs are robust, both in musculature and in skeletal structure. The forelegs are shorter than the hind legs and the feet are round and of medium size. This difference in length makes the rump of the Cymric higher than the shoulders. This gives the cat an appearance inclined forward. Particularity of the breed, the tail is almost non-existent. As in the Manx, there are four types of tail: