This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
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Cymrics (pronounced as kim-rick) are distinguished by their rounded appearance. The tailless or almost tailless feature of the Cymric cat is one of the main identifying features of this breed. Cymrics also have compact bodies with a solid bone structure, making them very heavy cats. Additionally, Cymrics are intelligent, playful, and loyal. You can teach them tricks and practically hold a conversation with them.
Steps
Examining the Head and Face
Identify a round head. A Cymric's head is round in shape, resembling a circle. This is in contrast to other breeds. Other breeds are more likely to have a round head that narrows near the chin and mouth, similar to an upside down triangle.[1]
Look for widely spaced ears. Its widely spaced ears stand erect on top of its head. In terms of shape, its ears are wide at the base and gradually taper to a rounded tip.[2]- Its ears may have wisps or tufts of hair.[3]
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Observe large, round eyes. Its eyes are also positioned at a slight downward position toward its nose. In other words, the inner corners of its eyes are slightly lower than the outer corners.[4]- A Cymric may have hazel, green, amber, copper, gold, yellow or orange eyes.
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Observing the Body
Identify a compact body. Unlike other cats that may appear big but weigh very little, the Cymric is both big and heavy. This is because the Cymric has a very sturdy and solid bone structure.- Its well-developed hindquarters enable it to jump and balance on very high ledges despite its absence of tail.
Assess its size. Cymrics are medium to large-sized cats. Male Cymrics can grow to be 12 to 15 pounds (5.4 to 6.8 kg) at maturity. On the other hand, female Cymrics can grow to be 8 to 12 pounds (3.6 to 5.4 kg) at maturity.[5]
Look for a knob tail. It is usually made up of only one or two vertebrae. In addition to a knob tail (also called a rumpy-riser), the Cymric may be tailless (also known as rumpy). These short tails give the Cymric’s rear end a rounded appearance.- Cymrics may also have a tail that is slightly longer than the knob that may be kinked, knotted, or curved (these are known as stumpies).
Examine its patterns. Cymrics are typically multi-patterned cats. They may have a tortoiseshell, calico, bicolor, tabby, or ticking pattern. However, they can also have a solid, smoke, or shaded pattern.[6]
Identify a double coat. For a Cymric, long guard hairs stand out from a thick, downy undercoat. The long hair that stands out from its undercoat is what distinguishes it from a Manx cat.Advertisement
Assessing its Temperament
Observe its ability to play fetch. Cymrics love to play and their intelligence makes them well-suited to learn tricks such as playing fetch. Similar to dogs, Cymrics may also bury their toys and carry them in their mouth as they walk around.
Identify a loyal attitude. Cymrics are very loyal to their owners and will follow them around the house, assisting in whatever tasks they are doing. They also like to spend a lot of quality time with their owners. However, they are not pushy or overly demanding of attention.
Notice a chatty cat. If talked to, a Cymric cat is known to reply with quiet trills. They may even hold a conversation with their owners. Additionally, you may find Cymric cats talking to themselves as they walk around the house.[7]
Look for dexterity. Their dexterity allows them to open doors and cabinets. Therefore, if you do not want your Cymric getting inside a room or a cabinet, make sure to lock or secure the door.[8]- 5Recognize a tendency to protect. Cymrics can be protective of their people and property. They’re sometimes even referred to as “guard cats.” While they’re usually calm and easygoing with family, they may growl and hiss at strangers or intruders.[9]Advertisement
Getting Proof Through Documentation
- 1Look for a reputable breeder. If you’re looking to get a Cymric kitten, search online for breeders that seem legitimate. These breeders are more likely to follow a code of ethics and keep track of each animal’s accurate information.
- Don’t adopt a kitten from a breeder that has multiple litters at a time, lets you choose any kitten you want, and/or allows you to pay online via credit card. All of these are red flags.[10]
- 2Get the necessary documentation from the breeder. When adopting a kitten, ask to see the pedigree certification of both parents and for proof that the litter is registered as Cymric. A genuine breeder will be happy to provide this information.
- 3Do a DNA test. To find out for certain whether or not your cat is a Cymric, consider doing a DNA test. This involves going through a company to take a sample of cheek cells with a swab and send them to a reference lab for analysis. Since the Cymric is an unusual breed, choose a company that has a wide collection of DNA samples so that an accurate match is made.Advertisement
Expert Q&A
References
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/cymric
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/cymric
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/cymric
- ↑ http://www.vetstreet.com/cats/cymric
- ↑ http://www.hillspet.com/en/us/cat-breeds/cymric
- ↑ http://www.hillspet.com/en/us/cat-breeds/cymric
- ↑ http://cattime.com/cat-breeds/cymric-cats#/slide/1
- ↑ http://cattime.com/cat-breeds/cymric-cats#/slide/1
- ↑ http://cattime.com/cat-breeds/cymric-cats#/slide/1
About this article
To identify a Cymric cat, first observe its head, as Cymrics have circular faces in comparison to other cats’ narrow chins. They also have widely spaced ears, which stand erect on top of their heads. You should also look for a compact body, as Cymric cats are big and heavy at about 12 to 15 pounds due to their sturdy and solid bone structure. Additionally, Cymric cats are more playful than most other breeds, so observe if your cat likes to play fetch, follow you around the house, and carry toys in their mouth. For more tips from our Veterinary co-author, including how to identify a Cymric cat by the patterns in its fur, read on!
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