Manx

Also called Manks (older spelling), Kayt Manninagh, Kayt cuttagh, Stubbin, Rumpy

Recognised breedShort profile

From Isle of Man, in the Irish Sea, where a natural tailless mutation spread through the island's native cats.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Weight, male4.5 to 5.5 kg3 1 2

Weight, female3.5 to 4.5 kg3 1 2

Lifespan12 to 14 years3

Sizemedium

GCCF and Wikipedia: males 10-12 lb (4.5-5.5 kg), females 8-10 lb (3.5-4.5 kg).

loyal, dog-like companion

gentle and patient with children

skilled hunter and superb jumper

2 3

Coat and looks how to spot one

dense double coat, shorthair or longhair; tailless to full-tailed

A compact, rounded cat that feels heavier than it looks, with a round head, large eyes and hind legs longer than the front, giving a raised rump. The double coat has a soft, cottony undercoat under a glossier outer coat, making it feel well padded. Tails range from none at all (rumpy) through a small bump (riser) and short stumps to a near-normal tail (longy); only fully tailless cats are usually shown.2 3 1

Coloursmany solid colours including white, black, blue, red and creamsmokes and silversclassic, mackerel, spotted and ticked tabbiestortoiseshell, calico and bi-colourcolourpoint, chocolate, cinnamon, lavender and their dilutes not accepted by CFA/GCCF2 3

Personality what they are like

Quiet, gentle and smart. Manx often attach strongly to one or two people and are known for dog-like habits such as fetching and joining in games. They are patient with children, usually get along with other pets, and pair relaxed lounging with sudden bursts of playful energy.2 3 1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Moderate. Spends plenty of time relaxing but has spurts of play; strong hind legs make it a powerful, fast jumper, so it enjoys high places and chase games.2 3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Shorthairs need a comb or brush only two or three times a month; longhairs (Cymric) need weekly combing with a wide-toothed comb, especially under the legs and along the sides of the face. Extra grooming helps during seasonal shedding. Bathing is rarely needed.2 3

Home where they are happiest

Enjoys vertical space to leap onto; adapts to family homes with other pets.2 3

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Like every cat, an obligate carnivore that does best on a complete, balanced cat food suited to its age and activity level, with fresh water always available. GCCF advises kitten food for the first year.3

Company who they like around

Bonds closely with its family, gets on with other pets including dogs, and tends to avoid conflict.2 3

The story where it all began

The Manx comes from the Isle of Man, where visiting sailors noted tailless cats as early as the 1500s. A natural mutation spread among the island's cats, and folk tales blame everything from Noah's Ark to Viking raiders for the missing tails. Manx were shown in Britain from the 1880s, had a written standard by 1903 and were among the first breeds CFA registered in 1906.2 3 1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
A Manx named Stubbs was honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, from 1997 until 2017.3
2
The Isle of Man has featured the Manx cat on its coins since 1970, as well as on stamps.1
3
Manx were valued as farm cats and ship's cats thanks to their rodent-catching skill.1
4
Fans jokingly call the breed a 'bowling ball with fur' because of its round shape.2
5
Tail types have their own names: rumpy, rumpy riser, stumpy and longy.1

Recognised by the official bits

CFA: Registered since CFA began in 1906; shorthair and longhair divisions2
GCCF: Section 3 (British), Group 13
FIFe: Fully recognised in Category 3; the longhair is shown as the Cymric4
TICA: Recognised1
WCF: Recognised1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Manx. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

Brushingevery week
Nail trimevery 3 weeks
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
Litter scoopevery day
Litter changeevery week
PlayDaily playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year

Tell me when it launches

Cymric, Manx Longhair

Japanese Bobtail

Kurilian Bobtail

American Bobtail

British Shorthair

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.

Wikipedia: Manx cat en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, tail types, recognition, weight, history, fun facts
CFA: Manx cfa.orgused for recognition, weight, coat, colours, temperament, activity, grooming, history, fun facts
GCCF: Manx gccfcats.orgused for recognition, weight, lifespan, colours, temperament, care, fun facts
FIFe: Breeds fifeweb.orgused for recognition

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.