#5 Manx

The Manx cat breed, which is the most prevalent in Britain’s Isle of Man, a tiny island in the Irish Sea, is the outcome of a naturally existing genetic mutation that significantly shortens the tail. For nearly as long as they’ve existed, farmers and sailors have loved the Manx because of their reputation for having mild, humble, sweet dispositions and legendary hunting skills.

The length of a Manx kitten’s tail helps identify it. Those that are born with no tail at all are referred to as “rumpy,” while those who are born with a stub are referred to as “rumpy risers.” The terms “stumpy” and “longy” refer to Manx kittens with partial tails or tails that are half their normal size at birth.

Manx cats are sharp and get along well with other animals. Due to their sense of belonging and enjoyment of interactive play, these cats tend to act more like dogs. More importantly, they have a life expectancy considerably above 15 years.