The Manx breed has many special characteristics that set it apart from other breeds. But no matter how different Manx cats may seem, they are still feline, and cat lovers like us just can't resist them. In case you aren't familiar with them, here's some background.

The Manx cats we enjoy today originate from the Isle of Man. This is a British island off the coast of Great Britain, in the Irish Sea. There are many different theories and speculations as to how the cats arrived on the island and just why they developed as they have. But no one is sure, and we won't debate it here. It really doesn't matter anyhow, since they are what they are and we like it that way.

Probably their most distinguishing physical feature is their lack of tail. This is a natural mutation of the breed, and while not all Manx are tailless, the tendency toward this is what most people remember first. They can be born with what is called a "rise", which is a joint of tail that will move only up and down and is usually not visible. Or they can have stubs, anywhere from one or two joints on up to even half a tail. And they may have complete, full length tails. So, obviously their tails aren't the only things that make them unique.

To begin with, their bodies are shorter than most cats, and the hind legs are very muscular and longer than the front legs. When standing, the back forms an arch that lends to their rounded appearance, with a round head, prominent cheeks and jowls, and a compact body. They have thick, stocky bones, and due to their compact shape, are heavier than they look.

Their coats are characterized as double, and have a thick, plush feel. They come in both long and short hair varieties, and in most every color. The short-haired coat consists of hard guard, or top hairs, and dense soft hair underneath. This gives a well-padded feel and provides protection against the elements. Long-haired Manx are often referred to as Cymric. Their coat is softer, flowing, often includes "britches", a ruff around the neck, and ear tufts.

While Manx behave similar to most cats in some ways, they do have a few habits that set them apart. For one thing, they get along very well with dogs. In fact they like to play fetch, and tend to bond with their favorite human like dogs often do. These cats like to play in the water and love to be bathed. They are quiet though, and generally communicate with chirps, trills, soft purrs, and head bumps.