Manx Myths

GC, GP, RW Karello's Play It Again Sam's.

A neighbor or someone you know has a tailless cat. You've never seen anything like this so you inquire, they tell you it's a Manx cat. They got it from a shelter or SPCA. The breed is very unique, it has no tail, hind legs longer than it's front, sort of hops when it runs, is very affectionate and has a high intelligence level. The breed interests you so you set out to find out more about it, perhaps get one of your own.

It's not long before you realize how unique the breed really is, there aren't many Manx cats or breeders to be found, easily. You decide to search the internet, there you find web sites, breeders and loads of information. You make contact with a registered Manx breeder who informs you the tailless cat you thought was a Manx cat might not be an actual Manx cat. This puzzles you, so you inquire further. You learn that not every tailless cat is a Manx. In fact, the genetic mutation which causes the actual Manx breed cat to be born without a tail can happen in "any cat" spontaneously. This happening in "any cat" does not then automatically make that cat or it's offspring born without tails Manx breed cats. Shelters, SPCA's, back yard breeders and even Veterinarian's are the largest source of spreading the myth about all tailless cats being Manx. Manx cats are "best known" for being tailless cats however, there are fully tailed kittens born in just about every registered litter. The true Manx cat has traceable descendants from the Isle of Man, a small island located off the coast of England. Several hundred years ago a spontaneous mutated gene carried a dominant trait which occurred at some point on the island. This mutation caused some kittens to be born without the vertebrae that form the tail of normal cats. With the passage of centuries and due to the isolation of the cats from outside breeding, the taillessness eventually became a common characteristic among the Isle of Man cats.

So, just as people who may "look" to be a specific nationality, yet can't actually claim that nationality without having actual ancestry, it's the same with the Manx breed cat. Registered Manx breeders are finding this happening more and more and have sought out to educate the public. These tailless cats with unknown origin are referred to by registered breeders as Domestic Tailless cats. Their origin and ancestry is not usually known, chances are they have no actual Isle of Man descendants. There are several cat breeds with shortened tails, one can't assume a cat is a Manx due to it's shortened tail or lack of tail. Domestic Tailless cats are not bred selectively like registered Manx cats. The genetic mutation which causes the Manx breed to be born tailless has limitations, there can be health complications in some cats who carry it and are not monitored how they are bred. Tailed Manx are very important in a breeding program, they give it stability and soundness.

I've had many instances where people contact me about their Domestic Tailless cats with heart wrenching stories. The out comes is usually the same, it always ends in heart break. They thought they were doing something good or saving a few bucks by picking up a tailless cat that was unregistered. If you want a Manx cat bottom line is your best choice is to purchase one from a reputable, registered Manx breeder. Choose a breeder who is actively showing their cats, they will be most informed on the breeds standard and be looking to produce kittens that model it for shows. Seek breeders who are willing to supply other breeders actively showing their Manx as references. (Who best to tell you if the person is a good breeder than their peers!) Registered breeders take great pride in their breeding programs and offspring, they don't sell their Manx to pet stores, allow their cats to be used in back yard breeding programs or end up in shelters. They have a sales contract with a written health guarantee, require the cat be returned if things don't work out and are there long after the money has been spent and the sale is complete. These breeders place their cats spayed or neutered or have an altering clause in their contract and with hold the registration papers until proof has been supplied it has occurred. You can expect not to permitted to declaw these cats, this is very inhumane and painful. How would you like your fingers cut off at the first knuckle? Since there are many dangers most pet owners aren't aware of for cats outside you can expect your breeder to never allow their cats to be outside cats.

Owning a Manx cat be one of the most enjoyable pleasures in life. They've been known to live up to the ripe old age of 19. Once you've been owned by a Manx your life will never be the same without one in it.

The following article was written by twenty-five year Manx breeder Sherman Ross, BS Eng.Phy., MS Ed, President, American Manx Club, technical consultant to Karen Commings for Manx Cats: (Complete Pet Owners Manual), (Barons, 1999) and Joanne Mattern for The Manx Cat, (Capstone Press, 2003).

Manx Syndrome is a subject of great concern to all lovers of the Manx breed. It is fraught with emotion, steeped in misinformation, and perpetuated by the ignorant. Perhaps some light can be shed on this subject by comparing some of the myths of Manx Syndrome to the actual truth.

The Myth: Manx Syndrome is any of several birth defects related to the Manx gene and afflicting the Manx breed.

The Truth: There is no common definition of what Manx Syndrome is. All of the conditions commonly called Manx Syndrome occur in other breeds of cat and other species of animals. Therefore these conditions cannot be linked to the Manx gene.


The Myth: Manx have shorter backs than other cats because they have fewer vertebrae. This leads to severe neurological problems.

The Truth: The Manx gene does not impact the spine above the pelvis. The gene causes the cat to have fewer caudal vertebrae causing a shorter tail. Manx have the same number of vertebrae in the upper spine as any other cat.


The Myth: Spina Bifida is a Manx condition.

The Truth: Spina Bifida is a condition found in all animal species that have spines. It is caused by the neural tube that forms the spine not closing completely in the fetus. It is not related to the Manx gene. It has been shown to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In humans the environmental trigger is insufficient folic acid during pregnancy. The environmental factor in cats is not known. Some Veterinarians have bred Manx with Spina Bifida in their genes and related it as a Manx Syndrome. This is really bad science. But unfortunately, since it was published in a Veterinary Journal, many vets believe this.


The Myth: Urinary and fecal incontinence is a part of Manx Syndrome. It is due to insufficient nerve endings.

The Truth: Incontinence occurs in all breeds of cats; it is not related to the Manx gene. There is no diagnostic for missing nerves except extremely careful and complete autopsy. Incontinence is related to spina bifida. NOTE WELL: Not all spina bifidas are visible externally. In all probability, most cases of incontinence in the Manx are related to spina bifida.


The Myth: The homozygous rumpy is an automatic lethal, and is never born.

The Truth: The Manx gene for taillessness is a variable _expression gene.This type of gene is also called an incomplete dominant. The gene is always present, but always variable. It acts very much like the white spotting or bicolor gene. Homozygous rumpy is in fact a meaningless term.


The Myth: It is necessary to use tailed Manx in the breeding to prevent Manx Syndrome.

The Truth: This is demonstrably untrue. A good MANX breeder can point to sound healthy Manx without tails in the pedigree for six generations. A much more important consideration is the length of the upper spine. Breeding excessively for shorter bodies causes the individual vertebrae in the upper spine to be shorter. Bred to the extreme, this causes problems in any breed.

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