Are you looking for a cat that would make a great pet for your children, one that could grow up with them? Then you might want to seriously consider getting a Manx kitten. Originally a working cat, the Manx is a fierce, dedicated hunter. They are also extremely protective of their homes. Upon hearing a strange noise or disturbance, the Manx will produce a low growling sound. You must be particularly careful to keep your Manx away from strange dogs, as the Manx are prone to attack them.

In spite of this, the Manx is affectionate, friendly, even-tempered and mellow, and possess a strong desire to be with people. They will follow you wherever you go and try diligently to be helpful, too. Not prone to restive movement, Manx cats love to curl up in your lap for a nap, and don't like getting on things. You will most likely find one at a human's eye level like tables, bookcases, and chair backs.

You can't beat them for companionship, either. The Manx loves to talk to you. Although their voice is unusually quiet for a cat its size, it will trill not only to its kittens but also in response to your talking. They're not timid cats, although if they're used to peace and quiet, a loud noise will startle them. Typically, they base their own reactions on those of the people who live with them.

As for how a Manx looks, they are basically a round cat, with round eyes, round body, round head, round rump, and even round paws, with its most striking feature being the complete absence of a tale. A Manx has only a slight indentation or dimple where you would usually find the tail. They come in just about every pattern, and range in color from red, blue, and cream, to white, black, and brown and are typically a mackerel tabby, tortoiseshell, solid, and bi-colored or calico.

Manx cats are originally from the Isle of Man, which is located off the coast of Great Britain. They share the same common ancestors as the British Shorthair. Several hundred years ago, a spontaneous mutation resulted in the birth of kittens that were born without the vertebrae that usually form the tail of the cat. And because it is a dominant gene trait, most cats on the Isle of Man eventually became tailless.

There are a number of mythological tales surrounding the origins of the Manx cat. One says that Noah cut off the tail with the door of the Ark when it started raining. Another British folk tale claims that the kittens' mothers bit their tales off in order to keep humans from snatching them away. The Manx cat also was considered to be a sacred animal in Welsh legends, and in New Guinea, their owners cut off the tails so that if the cat was ever stolen, they could bury the tail with special spells that would bring misfortune to the unsuspecting thief.