American Bobtail

The American Bobtail was initially bred in the 1960s with the mating of a short-tailed brown Domestic Shorthair with a bobbed tail and a seal point Siamese. Burman and Himalayan cats also entered the mix. The result was an American Bobtail in pointed longhaired coats with a white face and mittens. Breeders eventually began allowing any color and marking, because breeding for the specific colors was very challenging. The short tail of the breed is its special characteristic. The American Bobtails tail is about one-third to one-half the length of a normal cat tail. With attractive almond-shaped eyes and large paws, this cat comes in all colors and patterns including tabby and tortoiseshell. Both longhaired and shorthaired American Bobtails have double coats. These cats are very sociable and playful. Active and clever, they are known to escape from rooms and carriers. They do well with older children and calm dogs. They crave attention and do not shy away from asking for it with their vocals. Some people believe that the American Bobtail is related to the wild bobcat. This has not been genetically proven. Cats of this breed that are born without tails may develop health issues connected to short spines.