Manx Kitten Breed

The Manx cat, named after the Isle of Man, in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland, is a mutation in which a dominant gene results in taillessness. Fetuses which inherit two of these dominant genes die in the womb but those with only one may have complete or partial taillessness or sometimes a full tail. Tailless cats are therefore usually bred to Manx born with full tails to create the next generation. Unfortunately, the gene for taillessness can sometimes affect other vertebrae or lead to malfunction of the sphincter muscle. Even tailed Manx have a distinctive conformation, with a short back, short sturdy front legs and longer back legs with the back rising in a continuous arch from the shoulders to the rounded rump. The double coat gives a well-padded feeling and its quality is of much greater importance than color or markings. The tailless cat ideally has a decided hollow at the end of the spine. A rise of bone or cartilage there, a lack of double coat or any sign of the abnormalities which affect the cat's health and well-being would be faults. The lack of tail does not seem to affect the Manx sense of balance and its long back legs give it a powerful spring.

Solid and compact with broad chest and short back ending in a round rump, higher than the shoulder; short, sturdy front legs and much longer back legs, paws neat and round. Taillessness should be complete; the CFA allows arise of bone provided it does not stop the fudge's hand or spoil the tailless appearance.

Round with prominent cheeks, broad nose and a strong muzzle, on a short thick neck. The CFA specifies jowliness and large, round whisker pads. Wide ears with open base and rounded tip are angled slightly outwards.

Large and round, the CFA specifying outer corners higher than the inner. Colors con-forming to usual shorthair coat color matches.

A close thick undercoat with a slightly longer overcoat.

All colors, but not Siamese and Himalayan pointed patterns. The CFA, exclude chocolate and lavender.