How to Identify a Manx

The Manx is believed to be an ancestor of a few different breeds of ship cats from the Isle of Man off the coast of England. The variations in the fur show that multiple breeds are responsible for the birth of the Manx. Here's how you know your cat is a Manx.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Find the closest dogs. In personality, this breed is very similar to dogs. It's active and fun-loving. These cats will often be seen running off to do something they shouldn't. Manx cats are known for playing fetch and burying their toys.

2. Lock your doors. These cats are highly intelligent and have been known to open many a locked room and box, much to their owners' surprise. They are also known to find the cat food bag or get their own water out of a sink or toilet.

3. Check the rear end. This breed and its long-haired counterparts are the only breed of completely tailless cats.

4. Look for circles. The Manx is known for being built in a series of circles. These cats have rounded heads with rounded cheeks. They also have large, round eyes.

5. Fluff up the fur. The short-haired Manx has a double coat. The fur is so dense, it appears to stand straight up. The long-haired counterpart has a single coat that's sleek and of medium length.

Tips & Warnings

• These tailless cats often suffer from spina bifida. This affliction causes problems in the spine, legs and digestive tract.

[thewhisperer]

on 6/6/2009 Manx are not all tailless! In fact, the rule in breeding is to not breed tailless cats together because breeding tailless to tailless will produce kittens with defects that are often lethal. Tailless Manx are bred to Manx that have tails. Two folded ear Scottish folds also cannot be bred together for a similar reason and Folded ear is bred to a normal eared Scottish Fold to avoid producing defective kittens.