 At
first glance you are sure that you have just seen a bobcat, you
slowly turn and your gaze falls upon this magnificent and untamed
looking creature. It captivates you. Your eyes meet and you are
drawn to a far away place where hearts run wild and free. The cat
cleans its luxurious fur, blinks its eyes at you and begins to
purr. You long to stroke its soft, thick fur and hold him in your
arms, but do you dare? Tentatively you reach for the amazing
animal. He stands up and stretches, allowing you to marvel at his
substantial body and his natural short tail. He is a thing of the
wild, of that you are sure. The cat saunters over to you and
demands attention, you cautiously pick him up and are amazed at
his personality. Affectionate, intelligent and gentle, your heart
has been stolen by an American Bobtail.
Other
Names
Native
Country
America
Breed
Description
Build: medium-to-large,
naturally occurring, bobtailed cat; a noticeably athletic
animal, well muscled, with the appearance of power. The body
is moderately long and substantial, with a noticeable
rectangular stance.
Head: strong,
broad modified wedge-shaped head, with a distinctive brow
above large almost almond shaped eyes giving it a natural
hunting gaze. The expression is one of intelligence and
alertness.
Ears: furnishings
and Lynx ear tipping are highly desirable features in this
breed.
Eyes: large
almost almond shaped eyes
Legs: long
and slender
Tail: clearly
visible above the back when the cat is alert and is not to
exceed the hock in length. The optimum tail is articulate
and nearly straight with the slightest of curves.
Coat: comes
in both a medium, semi-dense shorthair and a medium-length
longhair that is resilient and resistant to water. The
topcoat is hard with a downy undercoat that insulates the
cat from weather extremes.
History
This American cat
is rare outside of the United States. Around 1964, an American
couple named Sanders was vacationing near an Indian reservation in
Arizona when they noticed a wild-looking kitten with a short,
upright tail. They adopted the kitten and named him Yodie. He was
crossed with Michi, a Siamese. A kitten from this litter, crossed
with a cream-colored cat, was the origin of the breed. The
Bobtail's distinguishing feature, its short tail, was the result
of a mutation caused by a dominant gene. Initially, the Bobtail's
coat was short. However, Himalayans (Colorpoint Persians in
Britain) were introduced and resulted in a medium-length coat. The
breed was recognized by T.I.C.A. in 1989. The semi-longhair
American Bobtail, the longhaired version of the American Bobtail,
has the same characteristics as its cousin.
Behavior
American Bobtails are a loving,
kind and incredibly intelligent cats. They are noted for their dog
like personalities and their devotion to their owners. They easily
adapt to a busy or quiet environment. American Bobtails bond
with their family, like Golden Retriever dogs, which they resemble
in personality and devotion. They get along well with most dogs
and have a welcome spot in their hearts for newcomers, whether
they are two-legged or four-legged. Long haul truck drivers have
purchased them as cabin companions because they are known to be
good travelers if introduced to it at a young age.
Psychotherapists have also used them in their treatment programs
because they have been found to be very well-behaved and sensitive
to people in distress.
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