Cymric Cat Breed Information
Also known as: Long-haired Manx
The longhaired version of the Manx, sharing the same tailless and short-tailed variants and the same Manx syndrome welfare considerations. Athletic, dog-like, with a fuller coat than the Manx.
A highly affectionate, great with young children, high energy cat. On the practical side: minimal drool.
About the Cymric.
The Cymric is the longhaired Manx. Same body type, same tailless and short-tailed variants, same Manx syndrome risk profile, with a fuller semi-long coat. The name comes from a 1970s breed-club choice (Cymru is Welsh for Wales) although the breed itself originates from the Isle of Man.
Personality and behaviour
Same as Manx. Athletic, dog-like, quietly affectionate.
Care and grooming
Twice-weekly brushing. Daily during seasonal sheds.
Indoor vs outdoor in New Zealand
Indoor or catio.
Where to find a Cymric in New Zealand
NZCF and Catz Inc list registered breeders (NZCF Cymric, Catz Inc Cymric). Often bred alongside Manx. Same kitten welfare questions as for Manx. Waitlist four to nine months, NZD 1,200 to 3,000.
The Cymric, by the numbers.
Each trait scored 1 to 5 on the AKC scale. The verdict synthesises the data; the panels below show the strengths, group averages, and the full trait table.
Top strengths
Family Life
avg 3.7Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Pets
Physical
avg 3.0Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Social
avg 3.3Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Adaptability
Independence
Personality
avg 3.2Trainability
Energy Level
Vocal Level
Prey Drive
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a Cymric.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Cymric costs to own.
An indicative NZ lifetime cost: purchase, setup, then food, vet, insurance, grooming and other annual outgoings. Adjust the inputs to see how your choices change the total.
A Cymric costs about
$161per month
$37
$5
$23,685
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$36 / mo
$430/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$33 / mo
$395/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$44 / mo
$530/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$23 / mo
$280/yr · brushes, shampoo, professional clips
Other
$25 / mo
$300/yr · toys, treats, dental, boarding
Indicative NZ averages calculated from breed weight, grooming need and screened-condition count. One-off costs (purchase $2,100 + setup $300) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the Cymric compare?
This breed
Cymric
$23,685
11-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,400
- Food (lifetime)$4,730
- Vet (lifetime)$5,830
- Insurance (lifetime)$4,345
- Grooming (lifetime)$3,080
- Other (lifetime)$3,300
Reference
Average NZ cat
$23,600
14-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$500
- Food (lifetime)$7,000
- Vet (lifetime)$5,600
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,600
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,400
- Other (lifetime)$3,500
A Cymric costs about the same as the average nz cat over a lifetime in NZ.
What to ask the breeder.
Reputable NZ cat breeders test for these conditions and share results. The bigger health drivers for the breed appear in the Common group.
Common
2 conditionsManx syndrome
Same risk profile as Manx. Reputable breeders cross to non-Manx and screen kittens.
Dental disease
A common condition in the Cymric. Ask the breeder about screening.
Occasional
1 conditionMegacolon and bowel issues
An occasional condition in the Cymric. Worth asking about.
The Cymric in NZ.
- Popularity: A small NZ pedigree breed, often produced by Manx breeders.
- Typical price: NZ$1200–3000 from registered breeders or rescues
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: Coat handles cooler regions well.
- Living space: Houses with horizontal running space.
Who the Cymric is for.
Suits
- Households wanting a longhaired Manx
- Active homes with vertical and horizontal space
Less suited to
- Apartments without enrichment
- Outdoor-roaming setups
Common questions.
Is a Cymric a separate breed from the Manx?
Same Manx syndrome risk?
If the Cymric appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
Manx
The tailless cat from the Isle of Man. Athletic, playful, dog-like in temperament, and one of the older recognised cat breeds. The taillessness comes from a single dominant gene with serious lethal and pathological effects in homozygous form, which means responsible breeding is essential.
Japanese Bobtail
The cat with the short pom-pom tail. The Japanese Bobtail is the model for the famous Maneki-Neko (beckoning cat) figurine and has been documented in Japanese art for over 1,000 years. Active, vocal, dog-like, and social.
Norwegian Forest Cat
Large, robustly-built semi-longhair developed naturally in the Norwegian forest and coast for centuries before formal recognition. Calm, independent, weather-adapted, and one of the larger pedigree cats in NZ.
Siberian
Large, agile, triple-coated cat from Russia with a reputation for producing lower levels of the Fel d 1 cat allergen. Affectionate, family-oriented, and at home in cooler NZ regions.
Last reviewed:
Sources for this pageInformation only. Breed traits and health notes on this page are aggregated from public registry and breed-authority sources. Individual animals vary; this page is general information, not veterinary, behavioural, or insurance advice. Always consult a registered NZ vet or breeder for guidance specific to your situation.