Black-and-white cats look like tuxedo manxes, but only the manx has a stumpy tail.
The Manx is a breed of cat that originated on the Isle of Man. Manx cats are typically characterized by being tailless, or having a stumpy tail. However, a tailless cat is not necessarily a Manx, and can only be called such if its ancestry can be traced to the Isle of Man. Tuxedo Manxes are Manx cats that possess a black-and-white color pattern that can resemble a tuxedo.
History and Mythology
The origin of the tailless manx was linked to Noah's Ark. The story claims that Noah cut off the cat's tail when the rain began to fall. Another story claims the cats were on a Spanish ship that wrecked near the Isle of Man. In reality, the stumpy-tail Manx originated on the Isle of Man. A genetic mutation resulted in stumpy-tailed cats, and since the Isle was an isolated environment, the stumpy-tail gene was passed on over and over through many generations. It is cultivated today, as the manx is bred to be tailless.
Physical Characteristics
The Manx has a stout body type and a dense coat of fur. The front legs are noticeably shorter than the hind legs, and the length of the back is much shorter than that of average cats. The set of the Manx's ears form a distinct cradle shape on the top of the head. The Manx is a big-boned cat with a wide chest and a broad head with round eyes. Females weigh between 8 and 10 lbs., and males are slightly larger, at 10 to 12 lbs.
Behavior
Manxes are an amicable, people-loving breed. The breed history is of a working cat so modern manxes tend to be active indoor/outdoor cats and enthusiastic hunters. They are sometimes called the "dog cat" because of their propensity to follow their owners around the house. Usually a quiet cat, the Manx is protective of its home and often growls at strange people or animals. They prefer a quiet atmosphere and startle easily, but are generally even-tempered and great for families with children.
Medical Issues
The vertebrae-shortening gene that creates the stumpy tails in Manxes is also the cause of a unique condition known as Manx syndrome. Manx syndrome describes any of the spinal defects the gene can cause, which are usually present at birth and often fatal. The symptoms usually develop in the first few months of the kitten's life and include difficulty walking and bladder and bowel dysfunction. Breeders also dock the stumpy tails of kittens to prevent the onset of painful arthritis, which can occur after four or five years. Performing surgery on the arthritic vertebrae is more costly and more painful for adult cats.
Tags: Manx cats, Manx syndrome, originated Isle, shorter than, story claims, stumpy tail