The Cymric is a breed of cat. Some cat registries consider the Cymric a long-haired variety of the Manx, rather than a separate breed. The name comes from Cymru (pronounced KUM-ree), the indigenous Welsh name of Wales, though the breed is not associated with Wales in any fashion, and was possibly given as an attempt to give a “celtic” name to the breed – which actually originated from descendents of Manx Cats from the Isle of Man.
It is pronounced KIM-rick or KUM-rick.
The name comes from Cymru, the indigenous Welsh name of Wales. Cymrics are affectionate, intelligent cats, happiest when they are doing something. They have good mousing ability and enjoy time outdoors, but they are very comfortable in the home as well. They get along well with other animals, including dogs.
The tailless Cymric, whose name is derived from the Gaelic word for Wales, is a long haired version of the Manx. It is a friendly, affectionate, relaxed companion–an easy feline to share a home with. According to some sources the Cymric is somewhat doglike in its habits; it will play “fetch,” growl at an unidentified disturbance, and may follow its owner around.
The Cymric and its shorthaired cousin, the Manx, are among the oldest natural breeds of cats. They are native to the Isle of Man, an island in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. How did these cats lose their tails? Geneticists have determined that taillessness occurred as the result of a spontaneous mutation. The Manx was easily established due to the genetic nature of the tailless trait and centuries of inbreeding in an isolated island environment.
Both long- and short haired cats existed on the Isle of Man before the appearance of the mutant gene for taillessness. When the tailless Cymric appeared, the recessive longhair gene may have been part of the package.
Variations
A completely tailless Cymric is called a “rumpy”; the “rumpy riser” appears to be tailless but has one to three vertebrae fused to the end of the spine; the “stumpy” has one to five normal vertebrae, which give the cat a short, moveable tail stump; the “longy” is a cat with a shorter-than-normal tail, but a tail nonetheless.
The overall body generally has an arched appearance, due to shorter than normal vertebrae. The Cymric has a soft, semi-long overcoat that gradually lengthens from head to rump.It has a thick undercoat and shiny, smooth top hairs. Many colours and patterns are accepted, including tabby, solid, bicolour, shaded, tortoiseshell, and calico.
Cymric Cat Characteristics
Appearance – The Cymric is a solidly built, medium-size, cobby cat with a round head, widely spaced ears, and large, round eyes. The powerful hind legs are longer than the front legs, so the short back arches upward to the rounded rump. A completely tailless Cymric is called a “rumpy”; the “rumpy riser” appears to be tailless but has one to three vertebrae fused to the end of the spine; the “stumpy” has one to five normal vertebrae, which give the cat a short, moveable tail stump; the “longy” is a cat with a shorter-than-normal tail, but a tail nonetheless. The Cymric has a soft, semi-long overcoat that gradually lengthens from head to rump. Many colors and patterns are accepted, including tabby, solid, bicolor, shaded, tortoiseshell, and calico.
Personality – The tailless Cymric, whose name is derived from the Gaelic word for Wales, is a long haired version of the Manx. It is a friendly, affectionate, relaxed companion–an easy feline to share a home with. According to some sources the Cymric is somewhat doglike in its habits; it will play “fetch,” growl at an unidentified disturbance, and may follow its owner around. This cat is also known for its love of shiny objects–keep an eye on your jewelry! Cymrics like to snooze in laps and high places. Children, dogs, and other cats are taken in stride.
Breed Fact – The Cymric and its shorthaired cousin, the Manx, are among the oldest natural breeds of cats. They are native to the Isle of Man, an island in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. How did these cats lose their tails? Geneticists have determined that taillessness occurred as the result of a spontaneous mutation. The Manx was easily established due to the genetic nature of the tailless trait and centuries of inbreeding in an isolated island environment. Both long- and short haired cats existed on the Isle of Man before the appearance of the mutant gene for taillessness. When the tailless Cymric appeared, the recessive longhair gene may have been part of the package.