The Cymric (or “Welsh cat”) is a breed of tailless or short-tailed house cats also known as longhaired Manx. And really, apart from coat length, the two breeds are no different.
Breed History
The Cymric comes from the Isle of Man, which lies off the coast of Great Britain. That’s where all Manx cats come from, although Canadian breeders say they were the first to develop the longhaired Cymric.
The first records of short-tailed cats date back to 1750. Since the Isle of Man is small, inbreeding made short tails or no tails at all the main trait of all the local cats. Longhaired Manx kittens were born there too, but back then they were considered a departure from the standard. When similar kittens were born in Canada in the 1960s, people started breeding them as a separate breed. In the US, the CFA now shows these cats as the longhaired division of the Manx, while some other registries still call them Cymrics.
Don’t miss our article on the Maine Coon.
Cymric Personality and Traits at a Glance
| Affection for family | ★★★★★ |
| Shedding | ★★★★☆ |
| Health | ★★★★★ |
| Playfulness | ★★★☆☆ |
| Vocality | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Good with kids | ★★★☆☆ |
| Friendliness toward strangers | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of grooming | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Gets along with other pets | ★★★☆☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
Breed Overview
Cymric cats are medium-sized and weigh about 9–13 lb. The breed standard is the same for the Manx and the Cymric. The Welsh cat’s main distinguishing features are its long coat with “britches,” tufts of fur between the toes, and full tufts on the ears.
Here’s a detailed description according to TICA:
- Head: rounded, slightly longer than it is wide, medium-sized. Prominent cheekbones, a strong chin, and round whisker pads. In profile, the forehead is visibly rounded;
- Ears: fairly wide at the base, with rounded tips, medium-sized, set wide apart, with full tufts;
- Eyes: round and large, set at a slight angle (the outer edge slightly raised). The color matches the coat;
- Body: cobby, medium-sized, with a low belly line and a short back that forms a smooth arch from the shoulders to the hips;
- Legs: muscular, with strong bones; the hind legs are longer than the front legs. The paw pads are round and medium-sized, with tufts of fur between the toes;
- Tail: usually absent, but there may be a small bump of cartilage that doesn’t stick out;
- Coat: long or medium-long, with an undercoat, silky; the texture depends on the color and seasonal changes.
Personality
These are very gentle and playful cats. Thanks to their powerful hind legs, they’re excellent jumpers and can reach any height in the house. The Cymric is a smart cat that quickly figures out how to open a door and get what it wants.
Manx cats also have a habit that’s more typical of dogs: they love to hide or bury their toys. These cats often enjoy a bath, too.
The Cymric doesn’t have a loud voice, but it loves to talk and can make interesting trilling sounds. These cats get attached to people and get along easily with children and other animals. They’re well-balanced and calm, and they’d rather be in company than alone.
Care and Health
The gene that makes Cymrics and Manx cats tailless has a very bad effect on their health. Kittens that inherit this gene from both parents die before birth. Those that inherit one copy can develop Manx syndrome, which involves spina bifida, other spinal defects, and bowel and bladder problems. These problems usually show up within the first months of a kitten’s life, which is why responsible breeders don’t sell these kittens before about 4 months of age.
The Welsh cat lives about 8–14 years.
Even though the Cymric has no visible tail, the nerve endings there are intact and unprotected. So stroke that area gently, and never let anyone grab your pet by the tail (or rather, what’s left of it). Any pressure on this area can hurt the cat. Also, when you pick up a Cymric, always support its hind legs so you don’t put extra strain on its back.
Hygiene is standard: brushing twice a week, cleaning the teeth, eyes, and ears, and keeping the litter box clean so your pet doesn’t soil its long coat.
Feed a Cymric a balanced food with all the vitamins it needs for a beautiful coat. Given how active these cats are, their diet should be nutritious, but not excessive.
Color
The photos below show what a Cymric looks like.
A Cymric can come in all sorts of colors and patterns. The CFA standards include these colors:
- white with blue eyes,
- white with copper eyes,
- white with odd eyes,
- blue,
- black,
- red,
- cream,
- chinchilla silver,
- silver smoke,
- black/blue smoke,
- silver/blue/red/brown tabby or mackerel,
- tortie,
- cream and white,
- bicolors,
- tabby with white.
Chocolate, lavender, and Himalayan (colorpoint) colors (including with white) are considered a departure from the standard.
How Much Does a Cymric Cost?
How much will a Cymric kitten cost you? In the US, a pet-quality longhaired Manx (Cymric) from a reputable breeder usually costs about $600–$1,500, and show-quality kittens cost $1,500–$2,000 or more. The price depends on sex, pedigree, and tail length.
Where to Buy a Cymric in the US
The main challenge is finding a Cymric cattery, since there aren’t many of them. Look for Manx breeders who also breed the longhaired variety:
- CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Find a Breeder – https://find-a-breeder.cfa.org/;
- TICA (The International Cat Association) breeder listings – https://tica.org/find-a-cat/find-a-cat-breeder-listings/;
- Karello Cattery (Manx breeder for over 24 years; longhaired and shorthaired Manx).
Whoever you buy from, check reviews of the seller. And remember: don’t take a kitten younger than about 4 months. It’s a good idea to have a vet check the kitten before you buy and look at its tail (dishonest sellers have been known to dock a cat’s tail on purpose).
