Are Manx cats and Japanese Bobtail cats different breeds?
Japanese Bobtail is completely different from the Manx, a naturally tailless cat. Unlike the Manx, it is due to recessive genes and breeds true. The two breeds are not related in any way. Not only are their tails different, but the body types are completely opposite. The Manx is a heavy-bodied and muscular cat, with no tail at all (in the show specimen). The Japanese Bobtail is a tall, elegant, refined cat in appearance, with just a “puff” or a “pom” of a tail. Manx litter can produce tailless (rumpy), partly-tailed (stumpy), or fully-tailed kittens. The Manx gene is also linked to genetic problems such as spinal bifida, and hip, pelvic, and anal abnormalities. In contrast, the Japanese Bobtail gene is recessive — two Japanese Bobtails, bred together, will always produce kittens which are more or less bobtailed. The Japanese Bobtail gene is also not linked to any other form of spinal or bone abnormality.
