Sunday, March 7, 2010
American Bobtail
The American Bobtail is a relatively new and uncommon breed of cat which has appeared since the late 1960s. It is most notable for its stubby "bobbed" tail about one-third to one-half the length of a normal cat's tail. This is the result of a cat body type genetic mutation affecting the tail development, similar to that of a Manx. The cat is 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 different because the gene causing the American Bobtail's tail is dominant, whereas the Japanese Bobtail tail gene is recessive.
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 color of eyes and fur, with a strong emphasis on the "wild" tabby appearance in show animals.
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, but some are born scared, not playful, and not very fast at opening up to you. 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.
Disquality ones with bad hips and Rumpies, tail-less Bobtails with a shortened spine. These are generally not acceptable due to increased health problems.
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 color of eyes and fur, with a strong emphasis on the "wild" tabby appearance in show animals.
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, but some are born scared, not playful, and not very fast at opening up to you. 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.
Disquality ones with bad hips and Rumpies, tail-less Bobtails with a shortened spine. These are generally not acceptable due to increased health problems.
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