An American giant and a gentle wild cat

This cat’s name is derived from its native Isle of Man, off the coast of Ireland. These cats, described in China, Japan, Malaysia, and Russia, were once thought to be from the Far East. For example, they could have been brought by Spanish sailors after the wreck of a Spanish galleon in Philip II’s invincible armada in 1588. Actually, the breed is the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation caused by a dominant autosomal gene (M) expressed in various ways: from tailless Manx cats (rumpies) to those with a normal tail (tailies).

Because of the high degree of inbreeding in the feline population on the small Isle of Man, the M gene was easily passed down through many generations.
The Manx was very popular in England by the late 19th century. A Manx Club was created in Great Britain in 1901.

While very popular in countries including the United States and Great Britain, the Manx is quite uncommon in France.

A semi longhaired Manx called the Cymric has been selectively bred in North America.

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Characteristics

With its excellent character, this cat adapts easily to changes in lifestyle.

Manxes are sociable and accepting of other animals. Patient with children, they are affectionate toward their owner. Hardy, lively, and active, they are good hunters. Manx kittens grow slowly. Manxes are less prolific than average domestic cats, and they are difficult to breed. Homozygotic kittens (MM, carriers of two “does” of the dominant mutant gene) die in the uterus (due to the incomplete development of the spinal cord). Thus, all Manxes are heterozygotic (Mn). Rumpies should not be bred together, due to the risk of this fatal gene combination. Instead, it is advised to breed Manxes with American Shorthairs or British Shorthairs, knowing that not all the kittens in each litter will be Manxes. Manxes are easy to groom.