Manx Cat Breed Information
Also known as: Stubbin, Rumpy
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.
A highly affectionate, great with young children, high energy cat. On the practical side: low grooming demands and minimal drool.
About the Manx.
The Manx is an athletic, dog-like, tailless cat from the Isle of Man. The taillessness gene is dominant and lethal in homozygous form, which gives responsible Manx breeding its distinctive shape. Litters always carry mixed tail lengths and good breeders cross Manx to non-Manx. Adults are 3.5 to 5.5 kg with a notably round, robust body and unusually long hind legs.
Personality and behaviour
Manx are playful, athletic and quietly affectionate. The breed is dog-like in many ways, with strong fetch drive, easy harness acceptance, and strong attachment to family. They tolerate respectful children well and enjoy multi-pet households.
The unusual hind leg length produces a distinctive hopping gait at speed.
Care and grooming
Weekly brushing for the shorthaired variant. Watch the rear end for hygiene, particularly in cats with any degree of Manx syndrome.
Indoor vs outdoor in New Zealand
Indoor or catio. The breed is athletic and active, with high prey drive that fits the SPCA NZ containment case.
Where to find a Manx in New Zealand
The NZCF and Catz Inc breeder directories list NZ-registered Manx breeders (NZCF Manx, Catz Inc Manx). Expect a four to nine month waitlist, NZD 1,200 to 3,000. Ask whether the breeder crosses Manx to non-Manx, screens kittens at four months for spinal involvement, and avoids breeding rumpy to rumpy.
Insurance and lifetime cost
The claim profile depends heavily on the cat’s degree of Manx syndrome. Mildly affected cats live unremarkable lives; severely affected cats need lifelong urological and orthopaedic management. Lifetime cost ranges from $250 to $500 a month all-in.
The Manx, 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 2.5Shedding
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 Manx.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Manx 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 Manx costs about
$156per month
$36
$5
$23,025
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)
$54 / mo
$650/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$8 / mo
$100/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 Manx compare?
This breed
Manx
$23,025
11-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,400
- Food (lifetime)$4,730
- Vet (lifetime)$7,150
- Insurance (lifetime)$4,345
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,100
- 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 Manx costs about $575 less over a lifetime than the average nz cat, mostly lowerfood and higherpurchase + setup.
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
Spinal abnormalities (spina bifida, sacrococcygeal dysgenesis) affect 10-30% of Rumpy Manx kittens depending on lineage. Reputable breeders cross Manx to non-Manx and avoid breeding rumpy to rumpy.
Dental disease
A common condition in the Manx. Ask the breeder about screening.
Occasional
3 conditionsMegacolon and bowel issues
Sequel of severe Manx syndrome.
Arthritis from spinal abnormality
An occasional condition in the Manx. Worth asking about.
Corneal dystrophy
An occasional condition in the Manx. Worth asking about.
The Manx in NZ.
- Popularity: A consistent NZ pedigree breed with active Catz Inc breeders, including some lines specifically for the related Tasman Manx variation.
- Typical price: NZ$1200–3000 from registered breeders or rescues
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: Double coat handles all NZ regions.
- Living space: Houses with horizontal running space suit best. Apartments work with enrichment.
Who the Manx is for.
Suits
- Households wanting a robust, athletic, dog-like cat
- Houses with vertical and horizontal space
- Owners committed to careful kitten selection from screened litters
Less suited to
- Apartments without enrichment
- Households wanting a quiet lap cat
- Outdoor-roaming setups
Common questions.
Are tailless Manx in pain?
Are Manx good outdoor cats?
Should I get a Rumpy or a Stumpy?
If the Manx appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
Cymric
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.
British Shorthair
Stocky, plush-coated shorthair with a calm, undemanding temperament. Consistently in the top three pedigree cats registered in NZ alongside the Persian and Maine Coon. Famous for the "British Blue", a dense grey coat that sheds more than its short length suggests.
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.
Pixiebob
A US-developed breed bred to resemble the wild bobcat, with a short tail, often polydactyl paws, and a muscular build. Despite the wild appearance, the Pixiebob has no recent wild blood and is fully domestic in temperament.
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.