Bobtails

History

Exactly when and where the Japanese Bobtail developed is not known. It's clear, however, that the breed has been bobbing around the Far East for at least several centuries, and perhaps much longer, since early Japanese folklore contains numerous references to short-tailed cats. One well-known tale tells of a small, short-tailed female cat named Maneki-Neko that was said to have beckoned to passersby and that was associated with good fortune. A representation of Maneki-Neko, with one paw raised in welcome, appears on the facade of the Gotokuji Temple near Tokyo.

While historical records do not explain the origin of the Japanese Bobtail, Japanese folklore does. A well-known legend tells of a sleeping cat whose tail caught on fire from a spark from the nearby hearth. The frightened cat ran through the streets of the Imperial City, lighting all the houses on fire. By morning, the city was destroyed and the Emperor, angry at the destruction of the city, decreed that all cats must have their tails cut short to prevent another such disaster from occurring.

Domestic cats were introduced into Japan from China and Korea in the early sixth century, but whether these cats had bobbed tails is unclear. The bobbed tail was definitely common by the early seventeenth century, since tricolored cats with pom-pom tails have been portrayed in numerous Japanese woodcut prints and painted silkscreen paintings of that period. Tricolored cats, mostly white with patches of red and black, are called Mi-Ke (pronounced mee-kay). Bobtails of this pattern are considered good luck. The Japanese revered these cats for their grace and beauty, and the cats were prized and kept in the temples and homes of the Imperial Japanese families for many years.

At some point between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, when the Japanese silk industry grew in importance and when mice threatened to destroy the silkworms and their cocoons from which the precious silk was harvested, the government decided that cats should be set free to protect the silk industry and the grain stores. The Japanese Bobtail then became a street cat instead of a pampered household pet.

In the United States, you are likely to see Bobtails only in cat shows and in the homes of breeders and fanciers, but in Japan today this breed can be seen in the streets and alleys, as well as in the average cat-loving home. Until recently in its native land, the Japanese Bobtail was considered a common domestic rather than a purebred, just as our own American Shorthair was considered a domestic for many years. It was only in the 1960s when the United States began including the breed in its cat shows that Japan followed suit; however, the Bobtail is still thought to represent good luck, and figurines of Maneki-Neko can be purchased in many Japanese stores.

The first documented Japanese Bobtails were imported into the United States from Japan in 1908. American servicemen brought home Bobtails from Japan, but it wasn't until breeder Elizabeth Freret imported three Japanese Bobtails into the United States from Japan in 1968 that a formal American breeding and exhibiting program began.

Freret acquired the three Bobtails from a breeder who had been breeding Bobtails in Japan since shortly after WWII. Freret, along with others interested in the breed, worked to establish a standard and presented the breed to the CFA board. In 1969 the CFA accepted Japanese Bobtails for registration. In 1971 Bobs were granted provisional status, and in 1976 gained Championship status in the CFA. Today, all the major cat associations accept the Japanese Bobtail for Championship.

Recently, a longhaired version of the breed has been accepted and is recognized by CFA, TICA, ACA, AACE, UFO, CCA, and ACFA. The numbers of registrations in this newly accepted division are currently small. Evidence suggests that longhaired Bobtails have been around for as long as the shorthaired version. While longhaired cats were not as common, they appear in early Japanese artwork as well. In the cold provinces of Japan's northernmost islands, where a long coat would be a vital survival trait, longhaired cats have been observed in the street cat populations for years.

Since the Bobtail was a common street cat for so long, it is likely that somewhere along the bloodline they acquired the recessive gene for long hair. Since two copies of a recessive gene are required for the trait to be expressed, the longhair gene can be passed through many generations before manifesting. Even when both parents possess the gene, the ratio of shorthaired over longhaired offspring is approximately 3 to 1.

Personality

Bobs make outstanding companions. They're curious, bold, intelligent, and alert, and easily adjust to new people, situations, and animals, making them easy cats to show. Bobtails are active, but not annoyingly so. Their play is interactive and endearing. They want to be involved with their human companions and are more than willing to lend a paw when you need it (and even when you don't). Bobtails also enjoy a good conversation; they have chirping voices that produce a wide range of tones-some breeders describe this as "singing."

Japanese Bobtails are widely considered active and intelligent. They also actively seek out the company of human beings. Fun fact: they tend to like to carry things in their mouths. No divas, they are generally thought to travel well and get along well with children, dogs, and other animals.

Conformation

The gene responsible for the pom-pom tail is a simple recessive; Bobtail to Bobtail crosses produce 100 percent Bobtail offspring. The Bobtail gene is not related to the Manx gene and doesn't appear to be associated with any genetic defects. The tail's fur camouflages the underlying bone structure, which varies greatly from cat to cat. The tail is usually about 4 inches (10 cm) long, but curls into a corkscrew shape so it appears much shorter.

Appearance

The Japanese bobtail is a long, lean, elegant cat with clean lines and bone structure. The legs are long and slender, with the hind legs noticeably longer than the front. The head forms an equilateral triangle with gentle curving lines, a broad, rounded muzzle, and large, expressive, upright ears. The large, oval, slanted eyes, along with high cheek bones and long nose, give the face a distinctive Japanese cast very different from other oriental breeds.

Of course, the tail is the defining characteristic. The tail is composed of one or more curves, angles, corkscrews, or kinks. Like snowflakes, each tail is unique -- the length, shape, and flexibility can vary greatly from cat to cat. Ideally, the tail extends two or three inches from the base of the spine, but the shape sometimes makes it appear shorter. Ideally, the tail hair fans out, giving the impression of a pom-pom. Unlike the Manx, the bobtail is never tailless.

Shorthaired JBTs have medium length, soft, silky fur with no undercoat. Longhaired JBTs have medium-long soft, silky fur with no noticeable undercoat. The longhair's coat is shorter and lies close to the body, gradually lengthening toward the rump, with longer fur on the tail, britches, and neck. Ear and toe tufts are desirable.

By far, the most popular color/pattern combination is the mi-ke. These cats are largely white with smaller patches of black and orange on the head, tail and body. Technically calicos, mi-ke bobtails are almost always female. The male mi-ke equivalent is white and black or white and red. Although mi-ke JBTs are prized, many other colors and patterns are accepted, including solids, tabbies, tortoiseshells, and patched tabbies. In some associations, all colors and patterns are allowed. Preference is given to bold, dramatic markings and vividly contrasting colors.

From written records it seems certain that the domestic cat first arrived in Japan from China or Korea at least one thousand years ago. The Japanese Bobtail breed has certainly existed in Japan for many centuries; it is featured in many ancient prints and paintings.

In 1968 the late Elizabeth Freret imported the first three Japanese Bobtails to the United States from Japan. In 1971 they were given provisional status in The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) and were accepted for championship competition in 1976.

In 1993 the longhair Japanese Bobtail was accepted by CFA for championship competition. Mrs. Betty O'Brien, who judged the first CFA show in Japan in 1968, was deeply impressed by a longhaired mi-ke owned by Mrs. Kiyoko Tanaka which was exhibited at the show. The longhair Japanese Bobtail has existed for centuries in the orient as have the shorthairs.

A large painting from the 15th century hangs in the Freer Gallery of Art in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC, showing two lovely longhaired Japanese Bobtails. Their coats are parted neatly down the back and their tails are large and plumey. The longhair Japanese Bobtail exhibits all the same characteristics as the shorthair Bobtail.

Japanese Bobtails are strong and healthy cats. They usually have litters of three to four kittens that are extremely large for newborns. Compared to other breeds, they are active earlier, walk earlier and start getting into trouble earlier. This breed has a low kitten mortality rate and high disease resistance. Kittens are never born tailless, nor are they born with full tails. They are active, intelligent, talkative cats. Their soft voices are capable of nearly a whole scale of tones; some people say they sing. Since they adore human companionship they almost always speak when spoken to.

They like to carry things in their mouths, and most enjoy a good game of fetch. Masters of the pounce, these cats love to ride on shoulders. They are good travelers. They don't panic at shows or strange hotel rooms, they adjust to dogs and other animals, and are especially good with children.

The Japanese Bobtail is a natural breed and does indeed come from Japan; all CFA registered cats can be traced back to the original imports. Any color except the Siamese pattern or Abyssinian type agouti is permitted, the most popular colors are the mi-ke and those colors that can be used to create it: white, black, red, black and white, red and white, and tortoiseshell. Vividly contrasting colors and bold dramatic markings are preferred on the bi-colors.

The tail is unique not only to the breed, but to each individual cat. Like our finger prints, no two tails are ever alike. The tail must be clearly visible and is composed of one or more curves, angles, or kinks or any combination thereof. The furthest extension of the tail bone from the body should be no longer than three inches. The direction in which the tail is carried is not important. The tail may be flexible or rigid and should be of a size and shape that harmonizes with the rest of the cat. The genetic factor which created the Japanese Bobtail is completely different from the Manx, a naturally tailless cat. Unlike the Manx, it is due to recessive genes and breeds true. The two breeds are not related in any way. Not only are their tails different, but the body types are completely opposite.

Conformation

The gene responsible for the pom-pom tail is a simple recessive; Bobtail to Bobtail crosses produce 100 percent Bobtail offspring. The Bobtail gene is not related to the Manx gene and doesn't appear to be associated with any genetic defects. The tail's fur camouflages the underlying bone structure, which varies greatly from cat to cat. The tail is usually about 4 inches (10 cm) long, but curls into a corkscrew shape so it appears much shorter.

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. Although this IS genetically possible, the unusual tail is actually the result of a random genetic mutation. The breed was recognised by the International Cat Association in 1989.

The American Bobtail is a medium-to-large, naturally occurring, bobtailed cat; a noticeably athletic animal, well muscled, with the appearance of power. The tail should be clearly visible above the back when the cat is alert and is not to exceed the hock in length. The optimum tail is articulate and nearly straight with the slightest of curves. The American Bobtail cat possesses a strong, broad modified wedge-shaped head, with a distinctive brow above large almost almond shaped eyes giving it a natural hunting gaze. Its unique coat comes in both a medium, semi-dense shorthair and a medium-length longhair that is resilient and resistant to water. When in motion, it should exhibit a natural rolling gait giving the cat with all of its combined physical characteristics the resemblance of a bobtailed wildcat. This is a slow maturing breed taking two to three years to reach full adult type.

The American Bobtail is noted for its wild look, with an exceptional disposition and adaptability.

American Bobtails are a loving, kind and incredibly intelligent cats. They are noted for their dog like personalities and their devotion to their owners. They easily adapt to a busy or quiet environment. In this breed no two tails are exactly the same. The average length of the tail is one to four inches, however this is an average, and some tails may be shorter or longer.

American Bobtails bond with their family. They get along well with most dogs and have a welcome spot in their hearts for newcomers, whether they are two-legged or four-legged. Long haul truck drivers have purchased them as cabin companions because they are known to be good travelers if introduced to it at a young age. Psychotherapists have also used them in their treatment programs because they have been found to be very well-behaved and sensitive to people in distress.

They are excellent companions for children and do not mind being carried around like a sack of potatoes. They interact well with people of all ages and serve a great purpose in the family home as a major source of entertainment due to their clown like personalities. They also offer a warm, soft shoulder to cry on when needed. They are known for their love of games and can play fetch or hide and seek for hours on end. They will often initiate a game and can be very persistent until you play with them. They are basically quiet cats in voice, however they do trill, chirp and click when delighted. They are easily leash-trained and love to go for walks. Not technically thieves, the American Bobtail's love of shiny objects makes it necessary to keep jewelry boxes closed and even locked.

The American Bobtail breed has been in the making for thirty years, the past five of which they have grown ever more popular. It is one of the most recent breeds to be accepted for registration by the Cat Fanciers' Association. February 2000 marks this recognition and confirms what breeders have known for many years, that the American Bobtail has its place in the world of pedigreed cats. It is one of America's own, a breed to be proud of. Its wildcat look combined with its full domesticity and pleasing personality is a credit to all the breeders who have devoted the time, effort and energy into shaping this remarkable breed. The American Bobtail can proudly claim the title "Born in the USA."

The American bobtail may be short of tail, but she's long on personality and charm. With her untamed appearance, tractable temperament, and cute bobbed tail, fanciers say this breed is the cat's meow. Currently rare, the American bobtail is nevertheless gaining fans as word spreads about the bob. And if you fancy a made-in-America breed, the bobtail is as American as the Fourth of July.

History

Until recently the American Bobtail has received little attention, so most people are surprised to learn that it has been catting around America for as long as the better-known Japanese Bobtail (see page 136), first imported to the United States in the late 1960s. The American Bobtail appeared on the scene in the 1960s as well, but because of the haphazard debut of the Bobtail, the word is just now beginning to spread about this breed.

The cat's history is uncertain. The original Bobtail bloodline came from a mating between a short-tailed brown tabby male named Yodie and a seal point Siamese female. Yodie was obtained by John and Brenda Sanders of Iowa while they were vacationing near an Indian reservation in Arizona. The parentage of Yodie is unknown, but was thought to have been a bobcat/domestic cat hybrid because of its stubby tail.

Birman, Himalayan, and a Hima-layan/Siamese cross were then added to the bloodline. Mindy Schultz (now Mindy Cave), a friend of the Sanders and the earliest Bobtail breeder, wrote the first provisional standard in the early 1970s. However, at that time the breed experienced setbacks due to the usual obstacles-developing and promoting a new breed of cat is an endeavor that requires the patience of Job, the wealth of Midas, the wisdom of Solomon, and the tenacity of the Terminator.

What happened in those early years seems immaterial at this point. Most of the early bloodlines have been phased out. In the mid-1980s a group of Bobtail breeders decided to break away from the original blueprint of the cat, which was essentially a short-tailed pointed longhair with white mittens and a white face blaze. Breeders were having difficulty working with the complicated combination of genes required for the bobbed tail, Himalayan color pattern, and the white spotting factor. The original line became too inbred to be usable.

The new and improved American Bobtail comes in all colors, categories, and divisions. The trend among today's breeders is toward a sweet, domestic cat that has the natural, wild look of the bobcat. The new Bobtail lines were reputed to have begun in Florida with trysts between domestic cats and bobcats, the kittens of which fell into the hands of breeders working with the Bobtail. However, these matings cannot be documented since they appear to be on the order of: "Well, our cat got out, and there were these bobcats running around all over the place, and then the kittens were born with those stubby little tails. . . ."

While it is possible for the bobcat (Felis rufus, an indigenous North American spotted cat closely related to the larger lynx) to mate with domestic cats, bobcat/domestic cat hybrids, particularly the males, would most likely be sterile. Possibly the short, bobcat-like tail occurred as a spontaneous mutation within the domestic cat population, or is related to the dominant Manx gene.

Outcrossing the Bobtail to domestic stock is still allowable. The goal is to keep the gene pool healthy since it is still quite small. Neither Manx nor Japanese Bobtails are used in the matrix, nor are bobcats bred into the existing lines. Originally recognized only as a longhair, a shorthair standard has now been written and accepted.

Personality

While the breed is still developing, breeders say that Bobtails are playful, energetic, and friendly, and possess an uncanny intelligence for Houdini-type escapes from closed rooms and fastened cages. Very people-oriented, they are not above demanding human attention by meowing or commandeering available laps.

On the cat activity scale (with, perhaps, the Persian as a serene "1" and the Abyssinian as an animated "10"), the Bobtail rates a 7 or 8 - fun-loving and frisky but not overactive.

Appearance

The bobtail is a medium to large muscular and athletic cat with a moderately long and substantial body. Hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs, and the feet are large and round and have toe tufts. The cat's head has a feral, wildcat appearance due to the distinctive fleshy brow, broad modified wedge shape, and the deep-set almond-shaped eyes. Wide at the base, the ears are alert and decorated with ear furnishings and tufts.

The bobtail's most noted feature - the abbreviated tail - must be long enough to be clearly visible above the back when alert, but must not extend past the hock of the leg. The tail is strong and substantial, and may be straight, slightly curved, slightly kinked, or may have bumps along its length. Straight tails are preferred; kinks must not impair the natural movement of the tail. The tail is broad at the base and must be flexible and expressive. Straight tails exhibit a fat pad at the end. The existence of American bobtails with tails of varying lengths, and some with no tails at all, indicates the possible presence of a Manx-like gene.

Originally recognized only as a longhair, the breed is now recognized in both long and short hair lengths. Shorthairs have medium length, semi-dense double coats with a resilient and non-matting texture. Longhairs have slightly shaggy medium-long hair, with slightly longer hair on the neck ruff, britches, belly and tail. Non-matting and resilient, the hair is dense and possesses an undercoat.

All colors and patterns are accepted. While brown tabbies are the most popular and numerous in both hair lengths, lynx points in seal, chocolate and blue are also favorites.

Conformation

Bobtails are slow to develop, reaching maturity somewhere between two and three years. Like the bobcat's, the Bobtail's hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs, and the feet are large and round and may have toe tufts.

The Bobtail's most noted feature-its succinct tail-is one-third to one-half the length of an ordinary cat's, and should not extend below the hock. Like the Manx, the Bobtail's tail appears to be governed by a dominant gene. The tail is straight and articulate but may curve, have bumps or be slightly knotted. Bobtails with no tails (also called rumpies) are not acceptable because of the health problems associated with the shortened spine.

PIXIE-BOB

The Pixie-Bob is a naturally occurring American cat who has a strong resemblance to the American Bobcat. It was believed for some time that they resulted from matings of the wild Bobcat with farm cats but DNA testing has failed to detect any link. However, the similarity is so very strong that for enthusiasts of the Pixie-Bob the jury remains out.

The Pixie-Bob has only been in existence since 1985 with its present name, though cats of his appearance have long been a familiar sight in the barns of North America. His principal distinguishing characteristics are his great substance, a spotted stand-off coat in shades of brown with silver ticking which gives the coat a frosted appearance, and short tail. Coat can be short to medium long. He is the only breed permitted to have extra toes, which normally occur on the front feet.

The Pixiebob is a domestic cat with a visual similarity to the North American Bobcat yet a loving, trusting, tractable
nature.

CATEGORY: Traditional.

DIVISION: Tabby.

COLOR: Brown Spotted Tabby.

PERMISSIBLE OUTCROSSES: None

Head: Medium to large inverted wide pear; slightly rounded (convex) look.

Ears: Medium in height, wide, deep base. Set as much on side as on top of head, with slight outward tilt. Top of ear rounded with lynx tips preferred. Paler thumb prints on back of ears.

Eyes: Medium-sized, soft triangle. The heavy hooded bushy brow is one side of the triangle; the almost straight line downward on the inside corner of the eye (closest to the nose break), is the second side of the triangle and the bottom line of the eye, which slants upward toward the ear, is the third side of the triangle. Deep set, one eye-width apart, it is common for the Pixiebob to appear to be half asleep, gazing through partially closed eyes.
Appearance of heavy fur above eye (brow). Eye makeup, there must be a band of cream or white directly surrounding the eye. Mascara must follow the corner of the eye downwards to the cheeks. Gold to brown color preferred, Gooseberry Green accepted.

Chin: Well-developed, fleshy with coarse fuzzy fur, In alignment with the tip of the nose, depth of chin obvious.

Muzzle: Full broad muzzle with definite break, and depth. Fleshy whisker pads.

Nose/Muzzle/Chin - Soft-sided diamond from bridge of nose to chin.

Nose: Wide, slightly convex, with large nose leather. Brick in color. Slight nose bump.

Profile: Slightly rounded forehead to eye ridge, slight concave curve from eye ridge to bridge of nose.

Body:

Torso: Substantial and rangy, but with great depth. Medium to large in size. Females are proportionately smaller than males. Prominent shoulder blades producing a rolling gait. The back is not level, dip behind shoulder, upward slope slightly toward hips. Hips are medium width, prominent, slightly higher than shoulders with a long sloping croup to tail. The flank is deep and powerful, the chest is broad well-developed. Primordial belly pouch on both males and females.

Legs: Long with heavy boning and muscular.

Feet: Large, long and wide, almost round, with big knuckles and fleshy toes. Polydactyl allowed, seven toes maximum.
Leg and wrist must be straight when viewed from the front. All toes must rest on the floor pointing forward. Foot must appear sound.

Tail: Articulated tail is desirable, however, kinks and curls are acceptable. Minimum of 2 inches in length, (approximately
thumb length). Maximum to the hock, when hind leg is fully extended. Bone length determines the length of the tail. When relaxed, tail should be carried low.

Musculature: Heavy muscular build.

Boning: Heavy, dense boning.

COAT/COLOR/PATTERN:

Length (PB): Short coat must stand up off the body. Dense belly hair is always longer than the rest
of the coat.
Length (PL): Medium, under 2 inches. Semi-dense, belly hair is always longer than rest of coat.
Texture (PB): Soft and wooly, having loft. Is resilient to the touch.
Texture (PL): Soft, lying closer to the body than shorthair.

For both coats, facial hair is full and brushy in appearance, having a downward growth pattern. Appearance of heavy fur above eyes. Coat separates easily and is weather resistant.

MISCELLANEOUS: Seasonal coat changes affect, color, length and depth in short and longhair varieties. Hot weather reduces all but the ground color, which is intensified, in summer season. Winter season will give coat a Frosted appearance.

PATTERN: Small spots with or without rosettes, (broken mackerel pattern allowed) greatly muted by heavy ticking. Random spotting preferred. Belly must be spotted. In the summer time, the pattern is more easily seen than in the winter, when it is muted out.

COLOR: Light to medium shades of brown spotted tabby with warm/reddish tones preferred, broken mackerel (muted) spotting accepted. The agouti hair must have several bands of color. Wild hare appearance has a mandatory mouse base coat with reversed ticking having the lightest band at the top and ending in a darker band near the skin. Medium to dark brown bands for the spotting.

Light bands at the tips of each hair giving a frosted appearance to the coat, heavier in the winter. Chin to belly to inner legs should be off white to creamy color with mouse gray base. Pale or light color belly to neck. Paw pads to the hocks, must be dark brown/black. End of tail should be dark brown/black.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The goal of the Pixiebob breeding program is to create a domestic cat with a visual similarity to the North American Bobcat. This wild look does not reflect the true nature of the cat, which is loving, trustworthy, and tractable. The Pixiebob comes in the shorthair

and longhair varieties. The Pixiebob has an inverted pearshaped head, heavily hooded eyes, strong muzzle and chin. Strong heavy muscular body with substantial boning, like the North American Bobcat. Females are proportionately smaller than the males.

ALLOWANCES: Polydactyl; seven toes maximum.

PENALIZE: Coat/belly coat too dark. Close short-lying coat. Coat too long on longhair. Head flat. Narrow Hips. Lacking a primordial belly pouch. White Locket. Deficient chin or brow. Tail not meeting standard. Cowhocking. Lack of substantial boning/musculature, (fine boning). Any color/pattern not described in the standard. Lack of ticking or pattern through out coat. A ruff around the neck (longhairs). Round eyes.

DISQUALIFY: Tail bone shorter than tip of thumb to first knuckle, (approximately 1 inch), and full length tail.