History of the origin of the breed
Perhaps it’s worth starting with the fact that the Cymric and Manx breeds are closest relatives with a rich history, which they share between them. Tailless cats have been found on the Isle of Man for over 400 years. They have almost become a tourist attraction; they even mint coins with their image. It is believed that cats “with a flaw” were brought to the British Isles from the Far East by sailors in the 16th century. Over time, their population increased significantly, the cats changed somewhat, but their characteristic feature remained unchanged - the absence of a tail. The breed was named Menx. As for Cymric, it is not so famous and popular, since it was officially recognized only in the 60-70s of the last century.
In the middle of the last century, along with the short-haired Manx, their long-haired variety began to be exhibited. These cats took part in many exhibitions and were noticed by Canadian breeders, especially Leslie Foltsake and Blay Welsh. They began to seek recognition of the new breed and granting it champion status. In 1976, the LovebunnyCatery organization allowed these cats to compete in the championship under their own name, Cymric. And by 1990, the breed was recognized by five more American associations.
The name of the breed, like the Manx, reflects its historical homeland: Wales
in Welsh "Cymru".
Cymric descended from Manx cats, so in appearance, character and even the genetics of the tail, they are very similar to each other. We can say that the Cymric breed was born naturally. Despite this, breeding it turned out to be quite difficult due to the lack of targeted selection work in the early stages of creating the breed and the genetic anomalies that the tailless gene entails.
Video: Cymrik kitten
Breed description and standards
Cymrik is a tailless breed of long-haired cats that are externally distinguished by their strong build and rounded head shape with well-defined cheeks. They are strong and active with beautiful, clear eyes and a gorgeous shiny coat. The cats are medium in size, but due to their slender build they are much heavier than they might seem
Kymrik develops quite slowly; it can reach its full size, as well as the brightness of its color and eye color, only by the age of 5.
Head and muzzle
The head is rounded with well-protruding cheeks, slightly less wide than long. The forehead is rounded. The vibrissae pads are well defined. In profile, a slight depression should be noticeable on the nose. The ears are wide at the base with rounded tips, and may have a brush. Planted far apart and sloping outwards. The eyes are large, wide open, set slightly askew. The eye color should match the coat color.
Body type
The Cymric has a fairly wide chest and strong forelimbs. The shape of the short back is more like an arc that stretches from the shoulders to the back. The thighs are muscular and round with a low groin line. The limbs of the Cymric have a heavy build. The front legs are short and widely spaced, thanks to which the roundness of the chest is beautifully outlined. The hind legs are longer with heavy shins. The length of the hind limbs raises the croup, which outwardly looks as if the cat is always ready to jump. If you look at the hind legs from behind, they are straight. The paws are strong and rounded.
Types of Cymric tails
The fact that Cymrics are tailless cats does not mean that they cannot have a tail at all. There are both “stubs” and full-fledged tails. Depending on the length, they are called differently:
- Dimple rumpy - the tail is completely absent. There is a depression at the back of the spinal column, that is, where the tail begins in other breeds. A minimal protrusion that is barely perceptible is allowed;
- Riser - a short tail of several vertebrae, often hidden under the fur;
- Stumpy - short tail (shorter than a regular cat's);
- Tailed or longy - normal length tail.
Coat
The main difference between the Cymric and the original Manx breed is its double, heavy and shiny coat of medium length. It is silky and soft to the touch and has a fine texture. The coat should always look shiny and healthy. Cats have lush sideburns, and their frill reaches to the shoulders, forming a beautiful bib on the chest. The length of the coat increases towards the back of the body and falls smoothly. At the same time, the hair on the belly, panties and frill is longer than the hair on the body. Tassels on the ears and small tufts of hair between the toes are desirable.
Color
The standard for Cymric allows all colors except chocolate, lavender, color point and their combination with white.
Welsh cat colors
According to TICA standards, the following colors of Cymric are allowed:
- pure white with blue, topaz or heterochromic eyes;
- blue with green and topaz eyes;
- solid black – amber and emerald eyes;
- red (red);
- cream;
- silver chinchilla;
- smoky (silver, silver-black or blue);
- tabby (blue, silver, red, brown, mackerel);
- bi-colors (harlequin, tabby with white spots);
- cake
All colors, except the first three, can have any eyes - green, amber, aquamarine. Blue - only when white predominates.
Chocolate, lavender and Himalayan colors are not allowed on Cymrik.
Character
The ancestors of the Cymric were wonderful mousecatchers; modern cats have not lost these skills, along with independence and adaptability to different conditions. They can stand up for themselves and will defend their own territory, so at the slightest extraneous sounds, the cat will react quickly and may even show aggression.
With close people, the Cymrik will be affectionate and gentle. In his usual environment, he is a balanced and calm, moderately playful cat. Cymrik becomes very attached to the owner, will follow him around and show interest in household chores. The Cymrik kitten easily adapts to the surrounding conditions and easily tolerates moving or changing families, if necessary. Kymrik is equally well suited for both large families and single people.
As for intellectual abilities, the Cymric is not deprived of them. He quickly learns the rules of behavior, and if the owner wishes, he can even master a few tricks. The Cymric will also use his extraordinary mind for personal purposes, if necessary, learn to open doors or cabinets.
Cymric
Cymric (also called the Welsh cat) is an animal that combines the features of a cat, a dog and a rabbit. From the front the pet looks like an ordinary stocky domestic cat, and from the back it looks like something between a bulldog and a hare. A representative of the Cymrik breed is an affectionate, playful cat with the habits of an intelligent watchdog. Such cats are excellent rat catchers and home guards. In their free time, they behave calmly and peacefully. The balanced islander will be a wonderful addition to any family.
Maintenance and care
Kymrik adapts well to life in an apartment, but it is better if he has the opportunity to often walk outside and hunt in the grass, for example, for insects. During walks, these cats should be protected from jumping from heights. The peculiarities of the development of the hind limbs made the Cymric not the best poison dart frog, and they are often unable to perform the vaunted cat landing on four paws. Even their running is special; in appearance it strongly resembles that of a rabbit, that is, its running consists of wide jumps.
Cohabitation with other pets
With other pets, the Cymrik is more likely to remain neutral. Although it is worth saying that these cats often find a common language with friendly dog breeds and even play together. Small rodents, birds or fish living in the house are usually observed from the outside, but it is still better not to leave the predator and potential prey alone.
Difficulties of breeding
Difficulties in breeding are one of the reasons why Cymrik has not gained the popularity it deserves. A pair of absolutely tailless animals cannot have offspring; a genetic mutation leads to the death of embryos or the birth of non-viable kittens.
Completely tailless cats can only be crossed with tailed ones.
But it doesn't end there either. It is very difficult to choose a suitable pair for a Cymric, such that the kittens born from the union meet all breed standards. In addition to intrabreeding, crossing with Manx cats is allowed.
Care
At first glance, it may seem that cats' long hair requires daily brushing. But, with a properly balanced diet, Kymrik’s coat will always be neat, and it is enough to comb it 1-2 times a week, and you need to teach it to comb from an early age - adults may protest against such a procedure. Cats perfectly understand the purpose of a scratching post, and will never sharpen their claws on any other piece of furniture. But again, this is provided that the kitten is accustomed to it from a young age.
Pros and cons (for whom it suits)
In general, the Cymrik is quite suitable for the role of a companion cat and a happy talisman at home. Suitable even for a large family. Doesn't like being alone, so if you're a workaholic, think carefully before getting one. Kymriks get along quite well with other cats and non-aggressive dogs. They love children, but may suffer from their activity. Despite the fact that they themselves are of average activity, these cats love to play. They have very strong hind legs; they have no equal in jumping.
Diet
Kimrik is not picky about food, but given the fact that feeding with industrial feed is common among large breeders, especially foreign ones, modern representatives of the breed are perfectly adapted to it and do not need natural nutrition. The activity of the Cymric must be maintained with a balanced, nutritious diet, and in order for the coat to be shiny, it is necessary to provide it with the necessary vitamins and microelements.
When choosing the optimal food, take into account the age category and physiological state of the animal (castration, lactation, pregnancy). In addition, it is important to pay attention to the labeling according to the level of energy consumption, which is individual for each animal (even of the same breed).
Health and life expectancy
Proper and balanced nutrition allows them to maintain excellent health and beautiful appearance. But the structural features of the spine and taillessness have left their mark, and in some cases entail various kinds of genetic abnormalities. Cymrics have inherited some hereditary diseases from other breeds.
- Coccyx atrophy in cats with partial tails;
- Progressive corneal dystrophy most often develops between the ages of 4 months and invariably leads to blindness;
- Manx syndrome involves a collection of birth defects that may include pathologies of the spine, urinary tract, intestines and, as a result, digestive problems. Unfortunately, this genetic abnormality affects about 20% of cats and appears from 4-5 months of age.
- This breed is more vulnerable to various types of neurological disorders.
Kymriks have been formed for a long time through natural selection, their immune system is quite strong, but this does not relieve owners from the need to carry out planned veterinary preventive measures. Life expectancy is 8-14 years.
Diseases of the cat breed
The sore spot of Cymric is the spine. Due to a gene mutation that causes these cats to be born tailless, pets can develop Manx syndrome. Cymric kittens that inherit the tail-less gene from both parents usually die before birth. And those who are born with the “defective” gene may be born with bowel problems, bladder problems, and spina bifida.
If the kitten has successfully grown to 6 months, then it will be a strong, healthy pet. Therefore, they usually begin to be sold at the age of 6-7 months.
Choice of kitten and price
Finding Cymrik kittens is quite problematic, because they are rare not only in Russia and neighboring countries, but in the rest of the world. In the USA, nurseries set prices individually for each kitten; on average, they range from $200-400.
When choosing such an unusual and expensive kitten, you should be very careful. There is a possibility that the taillessness is the result of injury or amputation, and the seller is a common scammer. It should also be understood that the cost of a good Cymric cannot be symbolic, and the pedigree must be recorded at least up to the fifth generation.
If kittens are born with a long tail, then breeders can dock it in order to quickly find new owners for the babies.
Considering the possibility of manifestation of Manx syndrome in kittens aged 4 months and older, they are in no hurry to take babies home before six months of age, and without making sure that the baby is healthy and does not have a developmental pathology.
Four types of Cymric tailless cats
Since in one litter there may be kittens not only with long and short hair, but also with different tails, they are divided into the following types based on the latter characteristic
Rumpy
The name comes from the English word rumpy. These animals are distinguished by the complete absence of a tail, sometimes there is even a depression in its place.
For this reason, rampies are rated highest in the show and breed class. They are the ones who most often win prizes at felinological exhibitions.
Rampy riser
Rumpy-risers have a short appendage instead of a tail. It consists of three or four vertebrae covered with hair.
A sign that such a cat is allowed to compete is the length of the growth.
If, in a standing position, the modified tail does not reach the hand when stroking the animal on the back, admission is allowed.
Stumpy
This type of Cymric has a short tail, usually with defects - knots and creases. Such animals are suitable only as pets; they are not allowed for show or breeding.
Longs
Longi has a tail of normal length. If it is free of defects, then the pet is often used in the breeding program.
If there are knots and kinks, breeders dock the tail within a week of birth and sell the cat as a pet. Such animals are not allowed to participate in exhibitions.
Photos
Photos of Cymric cats:
