American Bobtail Cat Breed – All Information, Facts, Care and Price
There are many things that make American bobtails unique, including their short bobbed tails, their rugged appearance, and their playful personalities. Because of their affectionate and friendly personalities, they have been referred to as the “golden retriever” of cat breeds because of the affection they show towards their owners. I very much enjoy having these cats around me because they are so sweet and gentle to be around and make wonderful companions for me as well.
Compared to other breeds of dogs, American bobtails are relatively rare. A reputable breeder may charge anywhere from $600 to $1200 for one of these cats, as they are considered rare.
About the American Bobtail cat
American Bobtail cats possess a distinct appearance that distinguishes them from other types of cats as they are loving and incredibly intelligent. It is well-known that these cats are extremely interactive and have a strong bond with their human family as a result. Their antics are both entertaining and they can provide their owners with a soft shoulder to cry on when they are in distress through their antics at the same time.
It is renowned for its friendly nature, almost like that of a dog, as well as the wild appearance of the American bobtail cat. The amazing cat is a true domestic cat, but it has wild ancestry, so its behavior seems to be purely domesticated rather than wild.
In addition to having a reputation of being talkative, American bobtail cats are highly intelligent cats. It has been observed that cats become very familiar with a variety of meows, chirps, gurgles, and purrs from a variety of sources.
Although the American bobtail has wild origins, they have developed strong bonds with their human families in spite of their wild ancestry. The dogs are also known for getting along very well with other pets, which is a great attribute.
As well as being outgoing, American bobtails are also amazingly active, enjoying jumping, climbing, and participating in exciting games, making them one of the most active breeds of dogs. They are also highly trainable, so you will find them playing fetch with their family members on leashes and walking with them on leashes on a regular basis.
As wily escape artists as they are, American bobtail cats have a knack of being able to find their way out of confinement even when they are placed in closed carriers. Whenever you are transporting an American bobtail cat, you are going to want to make sure that the carrier is latches securely so that you’re able to secure it.
ORIGIN | United States |
HEIGHT | 9–10 inches |
WEIGHT | 7–16 pounds/Male: 12 to 16 pounds, Female: 7 to 11 pounds |
LIFE SPAN | 13–15 years |
GOOD WITH | children seniors dogs cats families |
TEMPERAMENT | sociable affectionate bold |
INTELLIGENCE | high |
SHEDDING AMOUNT | normal |
PLAYFULNESS | medium |
ACTIVITY LEVEL | calm |
VOCALNESS | frequent |
COAT LENGTH | Short, Medium, Long |
COLORS | chocolate / brown / sable,cinnamon,lavender / silver,fawn,blue / gray,black / ebony,cream / beige / tan,lilac,red / orange,white |
Size | Medium to Large |
Body Length | 12"-20" |
Price | $600 - $1,000 |
Other Names | Golden Retriever of the cat world |
OTHER | easy to train, easy to groom, friendly toward humans, friendly toward other pets, friendly toward strangers, prone to health issues, high potential for weight gain, good for first-time pet owners, strong loyalty tendencies, good lap cat, tolerates being picked up |
Personality
American Bobtails are known for their wild looks but not for their wild temperaments. It is because of their intelligent, loving, loyal, and devoted personality that this breed has earned the loyalty of their devotees. A confident and friendly cat, they are devoted companions and can adapt quickly to a variety of home environments, which allows them to bond emotionally with their owners.
While Bobtails may not be as vocal as some breeds such as Siamese, they are not shy about expressing their feelings when they wish to. The Bobtail is one of the most playful, energetic, and friendly species of cats, as well as possessing an uncanny ability to elude closed rooms and fastened doors in a Houdini-like manner. Their people-oriented nature can make them very attractive to family members, as they may meow or jump on laps to get their attention.
It can be said that the Bobtail cat has an active and fun-loving personality, but is not overly active on the cat activity scale. When properly introduced to other cats and other cat-friendly dogs, American Bobtails usually get along very well with each other. When unfamiliar visitors come to call and they do not hide under the bed, they are curious and outgoing as opposed to hiding under the bed. The good thing about them is that if they are trained from an early age, they tend to make good travelers.
Appearance
American bobtails are first and foremost identifiable by the tail they carry at all times. In comparison to a normal cat, these cats have a rather short, stubby tail that is only one-third of the length of a typical cat’s tail. A dog’s tail is not exactly the same as another, but it ranges from 1 to 4 inches in length and can be straight, kinked, or bumped along its edge, depending on the breed standard for the type of tail.
American bobtails are a naturally occurring breed of cat, and as a result of their wild appearance, they are often described as being rugged and wild. There are a wide range of breeds of this breed of dog, from short-haired to long-haired, with dense fur or long, shaggy coats. In terms of color and pattern, these cats can be found in all kinds of shades. There are several characteristics of American bobtails: they shed a lot, they’re not considered hypoallergenic (in fact, if you have allergies, you may experience flare-ups because of them) and they shed a lot.
In addition to having large, deep-set almond-shaped eyes, American bobtails have an abundance of different colors and can come in any shade. The dogs are endowed with long, muscular back legs and usually weigh between 7 and 16 pounds, and have a large, athletic body. There are some cats that are slow to mature and it can take them up to three years in order to reach full maturity, which is longer than your average cat.
Temperament
A common description of the American bobtail is to describe it as being sweet, affectionate, and docile. The pets are excellent companions and lap cats, and they are also great playmates for older kids and pets that are cat-friendly.
Among the many felines, the American bobtail has a reputation as a cat that resembles a dog rather than a cat, according to Sarah Wooten, DVM. The dogs are very friendly, social, curious, able to form close bonds with their owners, and they have a broad range of vocal communication skills.
In addition to being smarties, American bobtails need to be kept active physically and mentally so they can stay healthy. It’s not unusual for him to chirp and trill when he wants some one-on-one contact with you, letting you know he wants some time with you.
It is important for potential owners to be prepared to provide a high level of enrichment to their dog through a variety of activities such as climbing opportunities, bouncing, food puzzles, toys, training, plenty of human interaction, and even leash walks,” Wooten says. A beagle dog is a dog that requires the same amount of care and attention as a healthy young cat.”
You American bobtail dog wants more than anything else in the world to love you, with the intention of receiving your love back. Depending on your needs and goals, this breed is a great choice for a companion pet who is kind and loving. There is no better choice for a family than these gentle felines.
Living Needs
This breed of American bobtail loves to be loved, and they have tons of love to give in return for what they receive. As sweet as they are, these cats need several hours of human interaction every day and they do not do well if left alone for long periods of time. Families with a lot on their plate should be aware: your bobtail will need constant attention from you. There is no doubt that the American bobtail makes an excellent travel companion, especially if you do a lot of traveling and spend a lot of time on the road.
The social nature of this cat allows it to get along with almost anyone and it is not bothered by frequent visitors in the home. They might even be the first ones to open the door to greet guests, before you even have a chance to do so! They are highly social animals, which means they will try to make friends with anyone regardless of their background or personality. To make sure your American bobtail does not head outside for a meet and greet with less friendly animals and people, you will need to keep an eye on him. You can leash-train your cat as a way to make sure that he is satisfied with his curious nature as well as fulfilling his social needs, as well as taking him for walks around the neighborhood.
Care
In terms of grooming, American bobtails do not require a lot of effort. To keep their coats healthy and smooth, it is recommended that you brush this breed once or twice a week. It is important for you to regularly trim your cat’s nails and to clean their ears on a regular basis as well. A couple of times a week, Wooten recommends brushing the teeth of American bobtail cats as well.
Since these cats are very intelligent, they can often be taught to do simple tasks such as using a litter box and scratching posts easily because they’re so intelligent. There is also the possibility to train them to play fetch games and walk on a harness, and they have to be kept mentally engaged by providing them with a variety of interactive toys.
There is no need to worry about socialization with this breed, as it is easygoing. It has been reported that American bobtails that are introduced to people and pets at an early age are generally easy to get along with and do not mind meeting unfamiliar faces.
Ideally, your American bobtail cat should be fed a diet of high-quality cat food recommended by your veterinarian. In order to avoid your cat becoming obese, you should be careful not to overfeed him.
Health
It is believed that the American bobtail has a lifespan of 13-15 years, and because of their natural development, they are relatively healthy dogs. However, as with any type of cat, Wooten says that owners need to keep an eye out for some health issues that all cats may suffer from.
As with all cats, American bobtails are prone to obesity and dental diseases. However, if you take the time to keep your American bobtail fit and trim, feed your American bobtail the best food you can afford, and make sure their teeth are sparkling and clean, you will be able to prevent these diseases,” she explains.
The American bobtail breed can suffer from spinal or bowel issues, just like another tailless breed called the Manx.
As the American bobtail ages, it is more likely that it will develop hip dysplasia, a hereditary condition in which there is a tendency to develop lameness and arthritis in the hip joints as a result of hip dysplasia,” says Kurt Venator, DVM, PhD, Chief Veterinary Officer at Purina. “The tailless American bobtail also has a history of developing a spinal condition that can negatively impact their ability to control defecation as a result of their spinal condition.”
You should have your American bobtail kitten screened for health issues by a reputable breeder at the beginning of his or her life, but it is important to have them screened regularly through their adult years as well, as all cats can become ill as they age.
The older American bobtail cats are more likely to suffer from kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, two conditions that are common among older cats,” Wooten said.
The Breed Standard
Body
The plant is moderately long, substantial, and has a rectangular stance. They have a broad and full chest. The hips of these individuals are slightly higher and the shoulder blades are prominent. It is common to see them with muscular and athletic appearances.
Head
Broad modified wedge, proportionate to the size of the body. There is an obvious difference between their cheekbones and their noses. They have a slanting curve between their nose and their brow and there is a good length between their brow and their ears with a slight concave curve between their nose and their brow. There is a distinct shape to their brow, which is characterized by a slight rounded ridge that extends from forehead to eye.
Ears
In order for an American bobtail cat to have rounded ears, the ears must be medium in size, have wide bases, and be round at the tip. Medium-sized; oval at the base, rounded at the tips, wide-set, upright with a slight outward tilt, wide-set, upright with slightly rounded tips. It is possible that all tabbies, including the lynx points, will show thumbprints of lighter colors on the back of their ears.
Eyes
It is large, almost almond shaped; deep set; and the outside corner of the earlobe is angled slightly upwards. Medium-wide apart. In addition to having a prominent brow line above the eye, their natural hunting gaze is produced by the distinct brow line above the eye. Copper, gold, yellow, or green are the four colors of the eye; blue is the color of the eye in bi-colors/vans, colorpoints, or lynxpoints, or oddeyed white cats.
Legs & Paws
A good length and proportionate to the size of the body. The paws of these animals are large and round in shape. In cats with long hair, toe tufts might be seen on the toes. It is common for them to have five toes in front and four toes in the back.
Tail
There are various forms of tail, including short, flexible, and expressive; straight, slightly curved, or kinked, or with bumps throughout its length. As a rule, their tails tend to be broad and robust at the base, as well as strong and substantial. It is more common for straighter tails to have a fat pad at the end of the tail.
Coat: Long Hair
It is not uncommon for American bobtail cats to have dense shorthair coats as well as a medium length longhair coat. It’s a medium-long haired dog, with a slightly shaggy appearance. They have longer hair on their legs, belly, and tail, while their ruff is slightly larger, and they sometimes have mutton chops visible. They have a dense, double coat with a non-matting texture and they are resilient. There is an undercoat present but it is not very dense, and the coat varies from season to season.
Coat: Short Hair
It has a medium length and is semi-dense in texture; depth- double coat, a hard topcoat with a soft, downy undercoat; density- double coat, a soft, downy topcoat with a soft, downy undercoat. In lynx points, dilute colors, and silvers, the coat of the cub may be softer in texture, as well as having a softer texture.
Color
There is no color or pattern that is off limits when it comes to American Bobtail cats. The preferred colors and patterns are those that enhance the impression of wildness in the cat’s coat.
History
In spite of the fact that this breed is not new to North America, it has received little attention up until now, and many people are surprised to find out that this breed has been around since the 1960s. It is only now that the American Bobtail has begun to build its reputation after their haphazard debut, however, this may be due to their haphazard debut.
A short-tailed brown tabby male named Yodie was the original Bobtail. He was found at an Arizona motel, supposedly in a box left by a child from a nearby reservation, and no one knew how to care for him. When a couple was vacationing at a motel, they found Yodie and took him home with them. Due to Yodie’s feral appearance and short, bobcat-like tail, there was rumor that he was a hybrid between a domestic cat and a bobcat. However, Yodie’s parents and ancestry were unknown. As it stands, domestic cats (Felis domesticus, an indigenous North American big cat closely related to the lynx) can reproduce with bobcats (Felis rufus, an indigenous North American big cat closely related to the lynx), however, such hybrids, in particular those that are born in the first generation, are almost certainly sterile. The short tail of Yodie is highly likely the result of a spontaneous mutation within the domestic cat population than anything else.
In the end, the couple took the friendly Yodie home with them after being enchanted by his short tail and friendly personality. The moment Yodie returned home, he immunized their sealpoint Siamese (proving that he was fertile and was definitely not half a bobcat). Since their Siamese had no history of short-tailed ancestors, it appears that the gene that governs Yodie’s bobbed tail is dominant because of this litter of kittens, which included some kittens with normal-tailed tails and some kittens with bobbed tails. In order for a dominant trait to be passed down to offspring from one parent, only one copy of the gene was required. As a result, the breed was named American Bobtail by its breeders.
As a result of inbreeding between Yodie and his descendants, the original lines became unbalanced and unhealthy. After that, the goal was to create a healthier breed with a bobbed tail and a large tabby with long hair, all of which would look like Yodie: an old-fashioned tabby with a large, feral-looking look. A healthier cat has a rounded brow from the forehead to the eye ridge, giving it a look of being feral and giving it that “hunting gaze”. There are four North American organizations that accept the American Bobtail as one of their breeds. American Bobtails are available in all colors and categories, as well as having the sweet texture of a bobcat, but with the feral look of the bobcat as well. As well as having a long coat, they also have a short coat.