Some cat registries consider the Cymric a long-haired variety of the Manx, rather than a separate breed: except for the length of fur, in all other respects the two breeds are the same. The name comes from Cymru, the indigenous Welsh name of Wales, though the breed is not associated with Wales, and was possibly given as an attempt to give a "Celtic" name to the breed. It actually originated from descendents of Manx cats from the Isle of Man.

According to Isle of Man records, the taillessness trait of the Manx (and ultimately the Cymric) began as a mutation among the island's domestic cat population. Given the island's closed environment and small gene pool, the dominant gene that decided the cats' taillessness was easily passed from one generation to the next, along with the gene for long hair. Long-haired kittens had been born to Manx cats on the Isle of Man, but had always been discarded by breeders as "mutants". Then, in the 1960s, similar kittens were born in Canada and were intentionally bred. This was the start of the increase of Cymric popularity. It took many years for the Cymric to be recognised as a breed of its own by cat associations. The Manx was recognised in the 1920s, but the Cymric was not shown until the 1960s and did not begin to gain popularity until the mid-1970s.

The Cymric is a muscular, compact, medium to large cat with a sturdy bone structure. They weigh between seven to thirteen pounds and have a round appearance. Cymrics have large and full eyes and have widely spaced ears. The hair of a Cymric is medium-long, dense and well padded over the main body, adding to the round appearance. All colours and patterns are accepted and eye colour can be copper, green, hazel, and blue although other colours have been found.

In the breed of Cymrics, four different tail types are produced. The "rumpy" is the most valuable. This is a cat born entirely tailless. Instead, rumpies often have a dimple at the base of the spine where the tail would be. Next, there are "rumpy-risers". These cats have a short knob of tail that is made up of one to three vertebrae connected to the spine. "Stumpies" have a short tail stump that is usually curved, knotted, or kinked. Finally, "longies" have tails almost as long as an ordinary cat’s. However, most breeders dock the tails of longie kittens four to six days after birth. It is impossible to predict what tail types will appear in any given litter.

Cymrics are intelligent, fun-loving cats, and they get along well with other pets, including dogs. Cymrics are very loyal to their humans and enjoy spending quality time with them. As cats go, they can be easily taught tricks. Despite their playful temperament, they are gentle and nonaggressive. However, Cymrics are usually not overly demanding of attention. Cymrics are very playful and are exceptional jumpers. Like Manx, Cymrics are fascinated by water.

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