A quirky cat that will make an impression (Manx)

Member Name: edgirl

Product:	Manx
Date:	16/08/09 (40 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Friendly, loyal, tolerant and able to learn tricks

Disadvantages: Doesn't like being left alone for too long

There have been a lot of cats in my life, all fantastic in their own right, but the manx cat I had as a child will always be that 'one cat' that can never be replaced.

About the breed:
The manx cat originally came from the Isle of Man, where it gets its name from.

The main feature of the manx cat is of course it's tail. The tail length can vary from a 'rumpy' i.e. no tail at all to a 'tailed' i.e. a complete or near complete tail. The mutation in the gene that causes the tail variation is dominant. Any kittens born to parents that both have copies of the gene will generally not survive. The manx cats that you see around today are as a result of only one parent with the manx gene, the other parent will be a normal cat.

Manx cats come in two coat lengths. The short-haired has a double coat which has a thick, short under-layer and a longer, coarse outer-layer. The long-haired has a double coat of medium length.

Manx cats come in any colour, and are very sturdy, heavy-boned cats with a broad chest and a round head. The average size of an adult manx is about 5kg. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs which gives the back a round line to it.

Manx cats are generally healthy and can live well into their teens. There is a specific problem called 'manx syndrome' which is a result of the spine being shortened too much. It results in difficulty walking and severe bowel and bladder problems and shows up within the first 4 months of life. However, a reputable breeder will not let you have a kitten until it is 4 months of age, eliminating this problem for you. They mature slowly, and it can take as long as five years to reach their full size.

The manx cat is an incredibly intelligent cat, and is actually a lot like a dog when it comes to playfulness and it's love of humans. It is friendly, laid-back and very affectionate and prone to following you around the house. They are also capable of being taught to fetch and other simple tricks.

My cat:
Manfred was a huge ginger tabby. He was a rumpy, and therefore only had this little tuft of hair as a tail. Despite the lack of tail, Manfred had no problems with balance, which is apparently true of the breed (although I'm sure you will get exceptions as with any breed of cat). He had a great range of vocalisations and it often sounded like he was talking to me.

He was extremely tolerant of me when I was a young child, allowing me to carry him around in my arms despite the fact he was almost as tall as me, and allowing me to stuff him in a little push chair. He loved to find different places to rest, including the flower pot, in the washing and in the paper recycling basket.

We had other cats and a dog as well. He was extremely tolerant of them all, and was actually best friends with the dog, following him around often. He lived until he was 18, and the only health problems he ever had was arthritis.

Is it the cat for you?
If you want a cat with personality plus, the ability to learn commands and to get on well with other animals then this is the cat for you. This cat is extremely tolerant of young children and is extremely loyal to its owners.

Summary: Like a dog in cat form.