Manx (cat).

Manx (cat). Manx (cat), breed of shorthaired cat whose most distinctive features are a rabbitlike gait and the absence of a tail. The breed is native to the Isle of Man, a British island off the coast of Great Britain; although there are many stories about how tailless cats first came to the island, it is most likely that the genetic mutation originated there. The taillessness is caused by a dominant gene that affects the entire spinal column and which may, in some specimens, cause serious defects. Some kittens, called "stumpies," are born with stumps of tails; others, with a rounded rump and the complete absence of a tail ("rumpies"), are preferred by cat fanciers. Although kitten mortality is high due to problems in spinal development, Manx that survive the neonatal stage grow to be strong, healthy adults. In general, the Manx gives an impression of roundness, with a round head, prominent cheeks and jowls, and a compact body. The coat is double, a soft outer coat overlying a thick undercoat; the coat comes in various colors. The Manx is a polite, reserved cat, and is extremely loyal to its owners. The Cymric, a longhaired version of the Manx, has a semilong, double coat. Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2009. © 1993-2008 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.