Cymric
The Cymric is a Canadian semi-longhaired cat with a tailless or short-tailed mutation, sharing the Manx's unique spine and potential health risks.
The Cymric is a semi-longhaired variety of the Manx cat, developed in Canada, though some registries treat it as a separate breed while others classify it as the Longhair Manx. The defining feature is the same taillessness mutation found in the Manx, but with a dense, semi-long coat that distinguishes it visually.
Breed recognition is split by registry
Whether a cat is called a Cymric or a Longhair Manx depends entirely on which organization is judging it. The Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe), World Cat Federation (WCF), Canadian Cat Association, Australian Cat Federation, New Zealand Cat Fancy, Southern Africa Cat Council, American Cat Fanciers Association, and Cat Fanciers' Federation all recognize the Cymric as a distinct breed. In contrast, the International Cat Association (TICA), the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA), the Co-ordinating Cat Council of Australia, and the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) consider it a variety of the Manx, with the latter two using terms like "Semi-longhair Manx Variant" or "Manx Longhair".
This split exists because the only physical difference between the two is the length of the fur. In a single litter, you can find kittens of either variety, as the genes for taillessness and long hair are inherited independently. The name "Cymric" comes from the Welsh word for Wales, Cymru, chosen to give the breed a Celtic-sounding moniker, even though the breed has no historical connection to Wales and originated in Canada.
Appearance is defined by the spine and coat
These cats are muscular, compact, and medium to large, with a sturdy bone structure. Males can weigh up to 5 kg (12 lb), while females typically range between 4 and 5 kg (8–12 lb). The lack of a tail often makes them appear smaller than they are. Their front legs are noticeably shorter than their hind legs, contributing to a rounded, rabbit-like silhouette. Their eyes come in various shades including amber, green, hazel, copper, gold, yellow, and orange, and they possess tall ears angled slightly outward with moderate tufts.
The coat is a semi-long, dense, and resilient double coat. It features a soft undercoat and is notably voluminous around the ruff, extending down to form a shirtfront. The fur on the upper hindquarters creates "breeches," a term describing the baggy appearance of the fur over the hocks. In the show ring, coat quality is valued more highly than color or markings, although the breed accepts a wide array of patterns.
Tail classification varies by vertebrae count
Kittens in a Cymric litter display a spectrum of tail lengths, classified by the number of vertebrae remaining. A "Rumpy" has no tail and no extension of the tailbone. A "Rumpy Riser" has up to three vertebrae that rise when the cat is petted. A "Stumpy" has up to five vertebrae, resulting in a small stump. "Longies" have a tail longer than five vertebrae but shorter than a full-length tail. While Rumpies are the most valued for shows and the only type allowed in some organizations, the variation is a natural result of the dominant gene.
Health risks are inherent to the mutation
The genetic mutation responsible for the tailless trait also causes serious health complications, most notably spina bifida, a spinal defect that can lead to neurological issues affecting movement or waste elimination. Some cats exhibit a rabbit-like hop due to this spinal deformity. These problems are usually identified before six months of age.
There is a lethal aspect to the gene as well. Kittens inheriting two copies of the tailless gene die before birth and are reabsorbed in the womb, accounting for about 25 percent of all kittens and resulting in small litters. Cats inheriting only one copy may develop Manx syndrome, a condition where the shortened spine causes neurological deficits. Not every cat with a short spine suffers from this, but the expression of the gene cannot be entirely prevented. Due to these welfare concerns, the Australian Cat Federation and the GCCF impose special breeding restrictions on these cats.
The tailed variant exists for breeding purposes
The Isle of Man Longhair is a fully tailed cat with Cymric features, essentially a Cymric without the expression of the taillessness gene. It is recognized as a separate breed only by the New Zealand Cat Fancy. In other registries, these cats are designated as "Tailed Cymric" or "Tailed Manx Longhair" and are recognized only as breeding stock. Breeding two tailless cats together is dangerous, so tailed variants are essential for producing healthy litters without the risk of lethal gene combinations.