Is the tailless look enough to guess Manx heritage, or do bobtailed mixes confuse things?

The tailless look alone is a gamble if you're trying to peg a cat as a Manx. I've seen plenty of bobtailed mixes-especially from random barn cat lineages-that carry a shortened tail from a different gene mutation, not the specific Manx one. The Manx gene is dominant and linked to that complete rump of missing tail, but it also comes with a distinct body type: a rounded, compact build, a noticeably longer back, and a bit of a hop in the hind legs like a rabbit.

What most people miss is the feel of the spine. A true Manx has a hollow or dimpled area at the tail base where the last vertebrae are absent, not just a stump. Bobtailed mixes usually have a rigid, bony nub that's still connected to the spine. I've had folks show me a cat with a three-inch tail and insist it's a Manx, but it was clearly just a random mutation from a mixed litter. If you're guessing heritage, look for the whole package-the body, the gait, and that tail socket-not just a missing tail.

I’d be cautious about jumping to conclusions based on tail length alone. I’ve seen domestic shorthairs with a random bobtail mutation that look nothing like a Manx otherwise-they have a leaner frame, longer legs, and a different head shape. The Manx has a distinct, cobby body, a rounded rear, and often a double coat, especially in colder climates. A bobtailed mix might have a stubby tail but lack those signature features, so look for the whole package: the way they hop like a rabbit, the thick hindquarters, and that particular “tailless” feel when you run your hand down their spine. If you’re unsure, a vet or a DNA test is the only way to confirm.

Relying on the tailless look alone is a fast track to misidentification. I’ve seen a cat with a full, fluffy tail that was pure Manx from a responsible breeder, and another stray with a tiny nub that turned out to be a random mutation from a feral line with no Manx ancestry. The real giveaway is the hindquarters: a Manx has a distinctly rounded, almost rabbit-like rear, with a visible dip where the spine shortens, and it often moves with a slight hop or waddle. A bobtail mix, even if stumpy, usually has a more tapered, bony feel at the rump and a normal, fluid gait.