American Bobcat Breed Information

The American Bobtail is a relatively new and uncommon breed of cat most notable for its stubby "bobbed" tail about half the length of a normal cat's tail. This is the result of a genetic mutation affecting the tail development, similar to that of a Manx. The cat is American Bobcat

not related to the Japanese Bobtail despite the similar name and physical type — the breeding programs are entirely unrelated and the gene causing the mutation is entirely different.

American bobtails are a very sturdy breed, with both short or longhaired coats. Their coat is shaggy rather than dense or fluffy. They can have any colour of eyes and fur, with a strong emphasis on the "wild" tabby appearance in show animals.

According to legend, bobtails are the result of a crossbreeding between a domestic tabby cat and a bobcat. This is not genetically possible, and the unusual tail is actually the result of a random genetic mutation. The breed was recognized by the International Cat Association in 1989.

Personality

On the cat activity scale of 1 (calm, serene) to 10 (overactive), the Bobtail receives a 7-8. Breeders claim that Bobtails are playful, friendly, energetic and extremely intelligent. American Bobtails have dog-like personalities, often play fetch and greet their owners at the door. They are very tolerant of being picked up by younger children and handled like a sack of potatoes. They've been known to escape from closed rooms and fastened cages with Harry Houdini-type ease.

Development–Bobtails require two to three years to develop, slower than many domestic cat breeds.

General– An ideally naturally occurring hearty short-tailed cat.

Body–Moderately long and substantial; stocky; noticeable rectangular stance; boning substantial; chest full and broad; hips substantial, almost as wide as chest; hind legs longer than fore legs with large round feet which may have toe tufts.

Head–Broad wedge without flat planes; size proportionate to body; concave curve from nose to brow, or rise to prominent brow; broad unpinched muzzle; prominent whisker pads; gently sloped wide nose; full strong jaws.

Ears–Medium-sized, wide-based; equally mounted on top and side of head; with rounded tips (preferably lynx.

Eyes–almost almond shape; size proportionate to head; aperture angled to base of ear; medium wide spacing, deep sockets; color varies with coat color. Tail–End of the tail visible above the back, but not beyond the Hock, while the animal is in repose; straight, (or curved), slightly knotted or may have bumps.

Coat

Shorthair– length medium to short; texture resilient; all-weather; double coat with undercoat.

Longhair– length semi-long, tapering to longer on ruff, britches, belly and tail; texture shaggy, non-matting, somewhat resilient; double coat with semi-dense undercoat of seasonal variation.

Health

Disquality ones with bad hips and Rumpies (tail-less Bobtails with a shortened spine). These are generally not acceptable due to increased health problems.