The Cymric is essentially a longhaired Manx, sharing that breed's roots on the Isle of Man, where a natural mutation produced cats with no tail or only a short one. Some registries list it as a separate breed, while the CFA, the largest U.S. pedigreed cat registry, shows it as the Manx longhair division. The name, pronounced KIM-rick, comes from the Welsh word for Wales, even though the cats are Manx in origin.
Cymrics are round, sturdy cats with long hind legs, a rounded rump and a dense, silky double coat that needs regular brushing. Many are playful, intelligent and closely bonded to their people, and some fetch or follow owners around like a dog. Because the gene that shortens the tail can also affect the spine, adopters should watch mobility and litter box habits and have a veterinarian check the spine.