American bobtail

What They Are Like to Live With

American Bobtails are known for being friendly and playful. They are also active and very intelligent. They are famous for being escape artists.

American Bobtails like affection, and can be vocal when asking for it. They get along with older kids and well-behaved dogs.

Things You Should Know

American Bobtails are often thought be related to wild bobcats, but a genetic link has never been proven.

This breed is good at getting out of carriers and closed rooms.

American Bobtails born without tails (which sometimes happens) may have health problems caused by a too-short spine.

American Bobtail History

The first American Bobtails were bred in the 1960s, and were the result of a mating between a short-tailed brown Domestic Shorthair with a bobbed tail, and a female seal point Siamese. Burman and Himalayan cats were also added. At this time, American Bobtails came in only in pointed longhaired coats, and had white mittens and a white face. (Although some people believe the breed has Bobcat genes, this has never been proven.)

Because breeding for these characteristics proved very difficult, breeders eventually began allowing any color and marking in their programs. The breed’s short tail remained its signature characteristic.

The breed is now accepted by The International Cat Fanciers Association (TICA) and the American Cat Fanciers Association (AFCA) as two separate longhaired and shorthaired varieties.