Cymric
Breed Profile
Size: Medium
Origin: Wales, Britain
Colour: All colours are acceptable, although some authorities reject colour-point patterns.
Similar to the Manx Cat. Confident, playful, intelligent, docile, friendly, alert, observant and relaxed. A good indoor cat.
Owner's Guide
Domestic Breed: The long-haired version of the Manx Cat. The name (pronounced kim-rick) is taken from the Celtic word for Wales (Cymru) and was given to the breed because Wales is close to the Isle of Man, just as the Cymric Cat is close to the Manx Cat. Some cat societies do not use the breed's Welsh name, however, preferring to call it simply the Longhair Manx.
Appearance: Exactly like the Manx Cat in every way except for the coat, which is long and thick. The woolly undercoat is even thicker than the outer coat. The texture of the fur has been compared with that of the Norwegian Forest Cat.
History: Long-haired kittens had been born to Manx Cat mothers on the Isle of Man on many occasions, but had always been discarded as unwanted variants. Then, in the mid-1960s, similar kittens born in Canada were treated with greater respect. They were carefully kept and developed as a separate breed. The driving force behind this project was Canadian cat breeder Althea Frahm, who first exhibited the cats as 'Manx Mutants', before they were given their own breed name. In 1976 a special group was formed to promote the breed, called the 'United Cymric Association'.
The earliest records that can be found for the showing of this breed are those from the American Cat Association (ACA), dating from late 1963.
Critics of the Cymric have suggested that it resulted from crosses between Manx Cats and Persians or Maine Coons, but there is no evidence to support this. Indeed, had these longhairs been involved in the cat's ancestry they would undoubtedly have altered its Manx conformation.
Personality: Similar to the Manx Cat. Confident, playful, intelligent, docile, friendly, alert, observant and relaxed. A good indoor cat.
Colour forms: All colours are acceptable, although some authorities reject colour-point patterns.
Bibliography:
1984. Swantek, M. The Manx Cat. TFH, New Jersey. (See Chapter 14.)
Articles
-
- Long Haired Cat Breeds
- Long-haired domestic cat breeds have been around for centuries, but their popularity did not reach a peak until the Victorian era when Queen Victoria herself owned two, and they became the star attractions at the earliest cat shows. More »
Breed Index
Petside: Get Started
-
- Kitten Life
Learn about the different life stages of your Kitten and much more!
-
- Puppy Life
Everything you need to know about raising a Puppy, all in one place! Check it out.
-
- Find a Breed
Browse dog and cat breeds to find your perfect pal.
-
- Diagnose a Condition
Use PetVet to research what's ailing your pet.
Specials
Check out these deals picked by petside.com just for you!
