American Bobtail Cats: Breed Profile

History: The American Bobtail cat originated about forty years ago when a cat with a naturally short tail was found on an Indian reservation. The people who found him kept him as a pet and bred him to their long tailed female. Some of the kittens of this union had short tails also, and they were the start of the American Bobtail breed. A careful breeding program that included Himalayans, Siamese, and Ragdolls has resulted in beautiful cats with great personalities that were accepted as a separate breed by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 2000 and allowed to pursue championship status in 2006 making this true American cat one of the newest cat breeds.

Appearance: The American Bobtail is a medium size cat that matures slowly, taking up to three years to reach its adult size and form. It has a broad, wedge shaped head with slanted almond shape eyes, a distinctive forehead, and a well defined chin. The ears are wide with rounded tips. The body is well muscled and powerful, giving the cat a wild, athletic appearance. The tail is one to four inches long, articulate, and clearly visible from the front when the cat is alert. The fur can be short or long, but either way is dense and water resistant. The original American Bobtail was a brown tabby. Now the breed comes in diverse colors including all common cat colors except points. Owners and breeders often prefer wild looking colors and patterns such as lynx to emphasize the breed's wild appearance. Eye color is also diverse although yellow, green, gold, and copper are most common.

Personality: The American Bobtail is known for its pleasant temperament. These cats are friendly and adore humans, often following their owners around and involving themselves in their days. The cats are very quiet. Occasionally they make chirping or trilling noises, but no true meow. They adapt well to walking on a leash and riding in cars, and both noisy and quiet environments. They can play active games for hours if engaged or spend the same time lounging quietly on your lap. These loving, intelligent pets get along well with both children and dogs. There like to clown around and can keep a family well entertained. The American Bobtail is often selected for use in treatment programs for the elderly and mentally ill due to its adaptability and its ability to warm up to new people rapidly.

Care: The short haired American Bobtail requires brushing once a week to remove dead hairs from its dense coat. The long haired variety requires more frequent grooming. It is recommended that their medium length shaggy coats are combed a couple of times a week. Like all cats, they need a continually supply of fresh water, a high quality food designed for cats, and a clean litter box. It is important that your home includes safe places for your pet to scratch, run, and climb. Due to the American Bobtails love of shiny objects, it is a good idea to keep your shiny things out of their way.