American Bobtail
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| American Bobtail |
|---|
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| Country of origin |
| United States |
| Breed standards (external links) |
| CFA, TICA |
The American Bobtail is a relatively new and uncommon breed of cat which has appeared since the late 1960's.<ref name=Catprofile>CatprofileCat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref> 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 genetic mutation affecting the tail development, similar to that of a Manx.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref> 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 entirely different.
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 colour of eyes and fur, with a strong emphasis on the "wild" tabby appearance in show animals.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
According to legend, bobtails are the result of a crossbreeding between a domestic tabby cat and a bobcat. Yodie, a short-tailed brown tabby male, mated with a seal point Siamese (cat) female to create the Bobtail's original bloodline. Then Birman, Himalayan (cat) and Hima-layan/Siamese cross elements were added to the bloodline. Most of the early bloodlines have been eliminated.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref> Although this IS genetically possible, the bobcat/domestic cat hybrids, particularly the male, would probably become sterile. The unusual tail is actually the result of a random spontaneous genetic mutation within the domestic cat population or is related to the dominant Manx gene.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
This cat's original appearance genetics were modified in the breed to form a new and improved breed which comes in all colors, categories and divisions. New shorthair versions have appeared where once only longhair versions were fully recognized. These new lines, which invoke a gentler sweeter cat with the remaining wild look features, may have begun in Florida It is still permitted to outcross the Bobtail with domestic stock, so long as the currently small gene pool is kept healthy. Manx and Japanese Bobtails are not used in the integrated matix.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
The breed was recognised by the International Cat Association in 1989.
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[edit] Personality
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 and energetic and extremely intelligent. They've been known to escape from closed rooms and fastened cages with Harry Houdini-type ease.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
[edit] Developement and Conformation Appearance
Developement–Bobtails require two to three years to develope, slower than many domestic cat breeds.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
General– An ideally naturally occurring hearty short-tailed cat.
Body–Moderately long and substantial; semi-cobby; 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.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
Head–Broad wedge without flat planes; size proportionate to body; concave curve from nose to brow, or rise to prominent brow; broad unpinched muzzle; non-prominent whisker pads; gently sloped wide nose; full strong jaws.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
Ears–Medium-sized, wide-based; equally mounted on top and side of head; with rounded tips (preferably lynx.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
Eyes–oval to large almond shape; size proportionate to head; aperture angled to base of ear; medium wide spacing, deep sockets; color varies with coat color.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
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 have bumps.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
Coat–
- Shorthair– length medium to short; texture resilient; all-weather; double coat with undercoat.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
- Longhair– length semi-long, tapering to longer on ruff, britches, belly and tail; texture shaggy, non-matting, somewhat resilient; double coat with semi-dense undercoat of seasonal variation.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
[edit] Health
Disquality ones with bad hips and Rumpies (tail-less Bobtails with a shortened spine). These are generally not acceptable due to increased health problems.<ref>Cat Breed Profile: American Bobtail. Discovery Communications. Retrieved on 2006-11-05.</ref>
