Size: Medium to large.
Coat Length(s): Long hair.
Body Type: Semi-cobby.
Grooming Requirement: Twice a week.
Talkativeness: Average.
Activity Level: Average.
Affection: Very affectionate.
Usually Good With: Everyone.
Time Alone: More than 8 hours a day.
Attention: Needs average attention.
Handling: Easy to handle.

According to island records, taillessness began as a mutation among the island’s domestic cat population, although some believe the mutation occurred elsewhere and was later transported onto the island. We’ll never know for sure, though, since it happened hundreds of years ago. Given the Isle’s closed environment and small gene pool, the dominant gene that governs the Cymric’s taillessness easily passed from one generation to the next, as did the gene for long hair. Soon a thriving population of tailless cats of various types and hair lengths roamed the green hills and wooded glens of the Isle of Man, playing hide and squeak with the resident mice.

Unlike the taillessness gene, long hair is governed by a recessive gene, which means a cat must inherit the longhair gene from both parents to exhibit the trait. Because of this, longhaired kittens can and do appear in Manx litters. Since the longhair gene is recessive, it can be carried for generations without manifesting in the physical appearance. Even though longhaired cats were on the Isle all along, it took many years before the Cymric was recognized as a breed in its own right by the cat associations. In North America, the Manx was recognized in the 1920s, but the Cymric wasn’t shown until the early 1960s and didn’t begin to gain popularity until the mid-1970s. In 1976, CCA was the first to accept the Cymric for championship status. Other associations soon followed, and today the Cymric enjoys championship status in all but one association.

In 1994, the CFA dropped the name Cymric and accepted the "Longhair Manx" as a division of the Manx breed. TICA and TCA accepted the breed in the same way. This is a benefit to breeders, since longhaired kittens born to Manx parents can be registered and shown in the longhair division. Except for coat length, the standard for both breeds is the same.

All other cat associations that recognize the breed consider the Manx and the Cymric separate breeds, but most allow longhaired Manx offspring to be registered and shown as Cymrics. This eliminates problems with "split litters" in which both hair lengths are present. While the Cymric is still rare, the breed has a steady following and many Manx breeders also breed Cymrics, or Manx Longhairs, depending upon their chosen association.

While they commonly bond with one special person of their choosing, Cymrics enjoy the company of all family members and generally make good family pets. They get along with other companion animals as well, even cat-friendly dogs, if proper introductions are made. If you spend a great deal of time away from home, consider getting another cat to keep your Cymric from becoming lonely.

Even though they are only moderately active, Cymrics are very playful. Because of their powerful back legs, Cymrics are exceptional jumpers. Combine that with a healthy curiosity and you’ll usually find them on the tallest perch in the house. Unless you want to see your Cymric smiling down at you like the Cheshire cat from the highest drapery rod, provide her with a tall, sturdy cat tree.

Like Manx, Cymrics are fascinated by water, perhaps from all those years on the Isle of Man. They particularly enjoy running water, and some will beg you to turn on the faucet. Don’t let this mislead you into thinking they love baths, however.

The gene that gives the Cymric its unique tail also can be lethal. Kittens who inherit two copies of the tailless gene—one copy from each parent—die before birth and are reabsorbed in the womb. Since these kittens make up about 25 percent of all kittens conceived from Cymric-to-Cymric matings, litters are usually small, averaging two, three or four kittens. Even Cymrics who inherit only one copy of the tailless gene can have what’s commonly called Manx Syndrome. An abnormally short spine can result in Spina bifida (an incompletely formed spinal column that doesn't close completely, allowing the spinal cord to protrude through the opening), gaps in the vertebrae, fused vertebrae, and bowel or bladder dysfunction. These defects are usually so serious that affected kittens must be put down.

Not every Cymric with a short spine has these problems and Manx Syndrome is not necessarily an indication of poor breeding practices; it can occur even in the most carefully planned litters. It’s just an attribute of the Manx gene. These problems usually become apparent within the first month, but they can occur within the first six months of age, which is why it’s wise to wait until the Manx or Cymric kitten is older before you purchase one. Buy from a breeder who is willing to guarantee the health of her cats and kittens. A veterinary health certificate at the time of sale is not enough, particularly if the kitten is less than four months old. Avoid Cymrics who show any signs of weakness in the hindquarters or who walk stiffly, hop, or have trouble moving freely.

Dr. Leslie Lyons of the University of California, Davis, as part of the Feline Genome Project is studying the Scottish Fold, Manx, and Munchkin to determine why some bloodlines have health problems associated with their unique autosomal dominant traits and others do not. In the future, this research may help breeders keep their lines healthy and free of defects.

The Cymric requires regular grooming, but not nearly as much as longhaired breeds like the Persian. Despite the double coat, the hair resists matting and therefore doesn’t require daily grooming. Still, the Cymric's dense coat needs to be combed with a good steel comb twice a week to remove loose hairs and prevent matting. During the fall and spring shedding, every other day combing is needed to keep your Cymric from becoming matted.

It’s impossible to predict what tail types will appear in any given litter, even when breeding rumpy to rumpy. Since other genetic defects are more likely to occur when rumpies are bred together for three or more generations, experienced breeders include all four tail types in their breeding programs.

The Cymric is a solidly muscled, compact, medium to large cat with a sturdy bone structure. Adult males weigh 9 to 13 pounds; adult females weigh 7 to 11 pounds. The overall impression is of roundness; the round head with prominent cheeks and jowls enhances the round appearance. The eyes are large, round and full. The ears are medium-sized, widely spaced and wide at the base, tapering gradually to a rounded tip.

The hair is medium-long, dense and well padded over the main body, adding to the rounded appearance. The hair gradually lengthens from the shoulders to the rump, and the full breeches are thick to the hocks. The hair on the abdomen and neck ruff is usually longer than that on the main body. The cheeks have thick, full hair, and the ruff extends from the shoulders to the chest like a bib. Toes and ears have impressive tufts. Even though the coat is full and plush because of the dense undercoat, the hair is soft and silky and falls smoothly over the body. As with most longhairs, coat length changes with the seasons; the summer coat is shorter than the longer, heavier winter coat.