American Bobtail: Relatively New & Uncommon Breed Of Cat

American Bobtails are loving and incredibly intelligent cats possessing a distinctive wild appearance.

They are extremely interactive cats that bond with their human family with great devotion. They can both entertain through their antics at one moment and provide their owners a warm, soft shoulder to cry on in times of distress.

The American Bobtail is an uncommon breed of domestic cat which was developed in 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 cat. The breed is not related to the Japanese Bobtail despite the similar name and physical typethe breeding programs are entirely unrelated, and the genetic mutation causing the bobbed tail are known to be different because the mutation causing the American Bobtail's tail is dominant, whereas the Japanese Bobtail tail mutation is recessive

The American Bobtail is a sturdy, rugged-looking breed, fitting to its heritage of survival in a feral environment.

Physically, the American Bobtail is a medium to large cat, with either short dense coat or a longer, shaggy-appearing coat. American Bobtails come in all colors and patterns, however since breeding to other recognized breeds are not allowed, "points" would not normally appear.

Male American Bobtails can easily surpass 15 pounds, and females are somewhat smaller

The American Bobtail cat is fairly long and well built.

Their hind legs are slightly longer than their forelegs, a feature they share with Bobcats. It wears a rain-resistant, all-weather double coat. The American Bobtail has a wild appearance, with slightly almond-shaped, "hunter" eyes. And the cat's most defining feature is its short tail, which is between one-third and one-half the length of an average cat's tail. Though the cat's tail is typically straight, it may curve, have a bump or be slightly knotted.

The Bobtail is an intelligent, active and affectionate cat.

It loves to sit on your lap and be petted; it is often compared to a dog in its behavior and devotion. The Bobtail is also great with children, loves to play games, and is the type of cat that will meet you at the door when you arrive home. An excellent problem solver, it has also been known to escape from closed rooms and locked cages.

American Bobtails are known for their love of games and can play fetch or hide and seek for hours on end.

They will often initiate games with their owners, and they demonstrate their hunting instincts in the home by catching in mid-air flying insects that make the fatal mistake of entering their territory. They also love to stalk their toys and carry them in their mouths, as if they were a freshly caught rodent. Basically a quiet cat, the American Bobtail is known to trill, chirp, and click when delighted. They are easily leash trained and love to go for walks with their people. An easy going breed, they get along well with most dogs and welcome newcomers, whether they are two-legged or four-legged.

This is a slow maturing breed

taking two to three years to reach its adult size. Females are generally proportionately smaller than males. The American Bobtail comes in all colors and patterns, with preference given to colors and patterns that enhance the natural wild appearance of the breed. They come in two coat lengths: a dense shorthair coat and a medium longhair coat. The occasional bath and light brushing is all that is needed to keep the American Bobtail coat in tiptop form.

The American Bobtail is well suited to any home with people who will love him and care for him. Keep him indoors to protect him from cars, diseases spread by other cats and attacks from other animals.