Longhair cat Medium size 3.5-5.5 kg

Cymric

A tailless, sturdy cat with a plush long coat that needs regular brushing - playful and loyal, with breed-linked spinal risks to know.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
3.5-5.5 kg, 25-30 cm at the shoulder
Moderate
Activity
Playful in bursts, then settles
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Tolerates some time on its own
Moderate
Handling
Cooperative with a little patience
High
Coat care
Dense long coat; brush most days
Good
Fit with kids
Fine with considerate kids
Good
Other pets
Usually fine with cats and calm dogs
Moderate
Health burden
Manx syndrome, Obesity

The Cymric typically weighs 3.5-5.5 kg, stands 25-30 cm, and lives 12-16 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a calm-but-playful, dog-like cat that follows its people,
brushing a dense double coat several times a week sounds fine,
you will buy only from a breeder who is open about Manx syndrome and spine health,
you like a quiet cat with a soft trill instead of loud meowing.

Do not consider this breed if…

you are not prepared to ask hard health questions about taillessness,
daily-ish grooming is more commitment than you want,
you assume the round, cobby look means it should be chubby - obesity comes fast,
you need a widely available breed; Cymric breeders are scarce.

A typical day with a Cymric

  1. 7:00 · Morning
    Trills a greeting, supervises the kitchen
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Window watching, follows you room to room
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Long nap on a favorite perch
  4. 17:00 · Afternoon
    Bursts of play; strong jumper despite the build
  5. 19:30 · Evening
    Brushing session, then settles nearby
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Sleeps close, often at your feet

Temperament and training

Loyalty to people High
Playfulness Moderate
Vocality Low
Hunting drive High
Tolerance of handling High
Independence Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Buying a tailless kitten without asking how the breeder screens for Manx syndrome · Letting the coat mat because the cat "looks fine" - the undercoat hides tangles · Ignoring litter box changes; constipation is a medical flag in tailless breeds

Family and environment

Kids Good
Sturdy and patient with considerate kids; protect the rump area.
Other cats Good
Sociable and rarely quarrelsome.
Dogs Good
Famously dog-tolerant for a cat.
Apartment Suitable
Content indoors with perches and play.
Seniors Conditional
Calm companion, but the coat needs steady work.
First cat Conditional
Easy temperament; the health homework is the hard part.
Busy household Good
Adaptable and more self-sufficient than velcro breeds.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Manx syndrome (spinal defects) Linked to the tailless gene; usually evident by 6 months
Constipation / megacolon Nerve-related bowel issues in tailless lines
Obesity Indoor cats gain weight easily; watch portions
Arthritis of the tailbone region Can develop in partial-tail cats with age

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

The shorthaired original, identical otherwise
Manx
A playful, loyal tailless cat with a dog-like personality - sturdy and easy to groom, with breed-linked spinal risks worth knowing.
View profile →
Plush, calm longhair without the tailless gene
British Longhair
A calm, easygoing cat that tolerates alone time well - the dense long coat needs regular brushing and heart screening is worth it.
View profile →
Bigger rugged longhair, sturdy and dog-tolerant
Norwegian Forest Cat
A big, hardy climber that stays affectionate without being clingy - the thick double coat is the main upkeep.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Cymric cost in the US?
Kittens from reputable breeders commonly run $800-$1,500, but the honest catch is availability - Cymric breeders are few, so expect a search and possibly travel or a waitlist. Over a 12-16 year life, food, litter and routine care typically add $12,000-$20,000 or more, and treating a spinal or bowel condition can add thousands.
What is Manx syndrome and should it scare me off?
The gene that removes the tail can also shorten the spine too far, damaging nerves that control the bladder, bowel and hind legs; affected kittens usually show signs by around six months. It does not affect every cat, but it is why breeder choice matters more here than in most breeds. Ask directly how a breeder handles it - a good one will not be offended.
Is a Cymric just a long-haired Manx?
Essentially yes - same island origin, same body, same tailless gene, with a semi-long double coat added. Some registries treat it as a Manx variety rather than a separate breed. Everything about Manx temperament and Manx health, good and bad, applies; the coat simply adds real grooming work.
Are Cymrics good indoor cats?
Yes - they are adaptable, quiet and content indoors with perches, play and company, and their strong hunting drive is better spent on toys than on wildlife anyway. The two non-negotiables are regular brushing so the dense undercoat never mats and keeping weight down on a naturally round-looking frame.