The Manx cat is a distinctive breed renowned for its natural taillessness and robust, rounded physique. Originating from the Isle of Man, this breed possesses a unique charm that captivates cat enthusiasts worldwide. This guide delves into the official breed standards, detailing the physical characteristics, coat requirements, and a vast array of acceptable colors and patterns, ensuring a thorough understanding of what defines a true Manx.
General Breed Standards
The overall impression of a Manx cat is one of roundedness and substance. This characteristic is evident from the round head, prominent cheeks, and a firm, round muzzle, to its broad chest, sturdy legs, and a back that arches smoothly from the shoulders to a rounded rump. A well-groomed, glistening coat tops off this appealing physique. Despite their compact appearance, Manx cats are surprisingly heavy, indicative of their muscular build. It’s important to note that Manx cats can be slow to mature, and allowances should be made for younger cats.
Head and Ears
The Manx’s head is round, with prominent cheeks contributing to a somewhat jowly appearance, especially in adult males. This enhances the breed’s overall rounded look. In profile, the head is medium in length, featuring a gentle dip from the forehead to the nose. The muzzle is well-developed, slightly longer than it is broad, and supported by a strong chin. Distinct whisker breaks and large, round whisker pads are characteristic. The neck is short and thick. Ears are medium-sized, proportionate to the head, wide at the base, and taper to a rounded tip. They are spaced widely and set slightly outward, resembling the rocker on a cradle when viewed from behind. Shorthair Manx cats have sparse ear furnishings, while Longhair Manx cats boast full furnishings.
Eyes
The eyes are large, round, and full, set at a slight angle towards the nose, with the outer corners slightly higher than the inner corners. Eye color should complement the coat color, ranging from gold to copper, or can be odd-eyed, blue-eyed, green, or hazel as appropriate.
Body
The body is solidly muscled, compact, and well-balanced, with sturdy bone structure. The Manx possesses a stout appearance with a broad chest and well-sprung ribs. The consistent use of curves and circles throughout its form gives the Manx an appearance of great substance and durability, conveying a sense of power without coarseness. Males may be slightly larger than females.
A notable feature is the depth of the flank (the fleshy area between the ribs and hip), which is greater than in many other breeds, contributing to significant body depth when viewed from the side. The back forms a smooth, continuous arch from shoulders to rump, curving to create the desirable rounded look. The length of the back is in proportion to the entire cat, with the hindquarters being equal in height to the body length. Longhair Manx cats may appear longer due to their coat.
Taillessness
The ideal Manx appears absolutely tailless. A slight rise of bone at the end of the spine is permissible and should not be penalized unless it disrupts the overall tailless appearance. The rump is extremely broad and round.
Legs and Feet
Legs are heavily boned. The forelegs are short and set well apart, emphasizing the broad, deep chest. The hind legs are significantly longer than the forelegs, featuring heavy, muscular thighs and substantial lower legs. This length difference causes the rump to be considerably higher than the shoulders. Hind legs should appear straight when viewed from behind. Paws are neat and round, with five toes on the front paws and four on the hind.
Coat
Shorthair: The double coat is short and dense, with a well-padded quality due to a longer, open outer coat and a close, cottony undercoat. The coat may appear thinner during summer months. The texture of the outer guard hairs is somewhat hard, with a glossy appearance. Whites and dilute colors may have a softer coat due to genetic links, but this should not be mistaken for the silky texture of the Longhair Manx.
Longhair: The double coat is medium in length, dense, and well-padded over the main body, gradually lengthening from shoulders to rump. Breeches, abdomen, and neck ruffs are typically longer. The cheek coat is thick and full, forming a collar-like ruff extending from the shoulders. Mature cats should have full breeches extending to the hocks. Lower leg and head coat (except for cheeks) is shorter but dense and full. Toe and ear tufts are desirable. Preference is given to cats with a fuller coat, assuming other type characteristics are equal. The coat texture is soft and silky, falling smoothly yet remaining full and plush due to the double coat, with a healthy glossy appearance. Seasonal and age variations in coat should be considered.
Color and Markings
Manx cats are recognized in a wide array of colors and tabby patterns. However, colors and patterns indicating hybridization, such as chocolate, lavender, pointed patterns, or their combinations with white, are not allowed.
Accepted Colors and Patterns:
- Solid Colors: White (pure, glistening white), Black (dense, coal black), Blue (lighter shade preferred), Red (deep, rich, clear), Cream (one level shade of buff cream).
- Smoke Colors: These have a white undercoat deeply tipped with color, appearing solid in repose but revealing the white undercoat in motion. Extremities are solid, with a narrow band of white at the hair base. Examples include Black Smoke, Blue Smoke, Red Smoke, and Cream Smoke.
- Silver Tabby Patterns: These include Chinchilla Silver (white undercoat with black tipping for a sparkling silver appearance) and Shaded Silver (white undercoat with black tipping shading from dark on the back to white on the underside).
- Classic Tabby: Dense, clearly defined, broad markings. Features include bracelets on legs, necklaces on the chest, an “M” on the forehead, swirls on cheeks, and butterfly-shaped shoulder markings.
- Mackerel Tabby: Dense, clearly defined, narrow pencillings. Similar facial and leg markings as classic tabby, but with narrow chains on the neck and chest, and narrow pencillings around the body forming a narrow saddle.
- Ticked Tabby: Body hairs are ticked, with minimal spots or stripes, except for darker dorsal shading. Face, legs, and tail display distinct tabby striping.
- Patched Tabby: Established silver, brown, or blue tabby with patches of red and/or cream. Examples include Brown Patched Tabby, Blue Patched Tabby, and Silver Patched Tabby.
- Spotted Tabby: Body markings are spotted, with preference for round, evenly distributed spots. A dorsal stripe runs the length of the body, ideally composed of spots. Other tabby markings apply to face, legs, and chest.
- Bi-Color: Solid Manx colors with the addition of white. Includes all expressions of the white spotting gene.
- Tabby & White: All recognized Manx tabby colors and patterns with the addition of white.
- Tortoiseshell: Black brindled with red and/or shades of red.
- Calico: White with unbrindled patches of black and red.
- Dilute Calico: White with unbrindled patches of blue and cream.
- Blue-Cream: Blue brindled with cream.
- Tortoiseshell & White: Brindled black and red with minimal white.
- Blue-Cream & White: Brindled blue and cream with minimal white.
- OMC (Other Manx Colors): Any other color or pattern not showing evidence of hybridization (e.g., chocolate, lavender, Himalayan pattern).
Specific Color Details:
- White: Eyes can be deep blue, gold to copper, or odd-eyed.
- Black: Nose leather and paw pads are black or brown.
- Blue: Nose leather and paw pads are blue.
- Red: Nose leather and paw pads are brick red.
- Cream: Nose leather and paw pads are pink.
- Silver and Blue Silver Tabby: Nose leather is brick red or blue, paw pads are black or blue/old rose.
- Red Tabby: Nose leather and paw pads are brick red.
- Brown Tabby: Nose leather is brick red, paw pads are black or brown.
- Blue Tabby: Nose leather is old rose, paw pads are rose.
- Cream Tabby: Nose leather and paw pads are pink.
Penalties and Disqualifications
- Penalize: On Longhair Manx, coat lacking density, having a cottony texture, or uniform length.
- Disqualify: Evidence of poor physical condition; incorrect number of toes; evidence of hybridization; weakness in hindquarters; pronounced stop or nose break in profile.
Allowable Outcross Breeds
There are no allowable outcross breeds for the Manx.
Color Class Numbers
The provided tables list the official color class numbers for both Longhair and Shorthair divisions, crucial for breed shows and registration. These numbers categorize the extensive range of acceptable Manx colors and patterns.
