Bobtail cat breeds stand out for their unique tail, or lack thereof. Resulting from a naturally occurring genetic mutation, these cat breeds don't have the long, expressive tail of most domesticated cats. Instead, they have a tail that's about one-third the length of a normal cat's tail.
What little tails they do have may be straight, kinked, bent, or extra fluffy. Besides the tail, these cat breeds range in appearance, size, and personality.
Learn more about these 10 bobtail cat breeds.
- 01 of 10
Japanese Bobtail
Cash14 / iStock / Getty Images
Sporting a bunny-like tail that's often called a "pom," the Japanese bobtail is a fairly small cat breed with a tail that is straight or bent. As the name suggests, this breed is closely associated with Japan, though it also might have originated in other parts of Asia, including China, Korea, and Tibet. These cats tend to have affectionate and playful personalities.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 9 inches
Weight: 5 to 10 pounds
Coat and Color: Medium length coat; comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including white, black, cream, lilac, red, blue, bicolor, and tricolor
Life Span: 15 to 18 years
02 of 10American Bobtail
Michael Kloth / Getty Images
The American bobtail breed was developed in the 1960s. A couple adopted a stray cat with a short tail and bred him to their female cat with a typical long tail. The resulting kittens had a distinctive short tail, and the trait was selectively bred for in future generations. American bobtails are generally sweet and playful with their families. These cats are rare and can cost $600 to $1,200 on average.
Breed Overview
Height: 9 to 10 inches
Weight: 7 to 16 pounds
Coat and Color: Short to long coat that is typically shaggy; comes in many colors and patterns
Life Span: 15 to 20 years
03 of 10Pixie-Bob
Nynke van Holten / Getty Images
With the appearance of a miniature bobcat, the pixie-bob is one of the most wild-looking bobtail cat breeds—but rest assured this domesticated cat is an easygoing and affectionate feline friend. Pixie-bob tails can range in length from nonexistent to a few inches to a full tail. Another interesting feature is that many are polydactyl, meaning their paws have extra toes. They’re also described as doglike, and will do things like play fetch or walk on a leash.
Breed Overview
Height: 10 to 12 inches
Weight: 11 to 22 pounds
Coat and Color: Short to shaggy coat; comes in many colors and patterns including stripes and spots
Life Span: 12 to 14 years
04 of 10Manx
Svetlana Popova / Getty Images
Manx can have varying tail lengths. Some Manx cats have no tails, while others have very short tails. A Manx with no tail is referred to as a "rumpy," while a Manx with some tail bone protrusion is called a "rumpy riser." Regardless of which category a Manx falls into, these cats have a stocky, athletic build with a short back. They’re known to be powerful jumpers and an active member of the family.
Breed Overview
Height: 7 to 9 inches
Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
Coat and Color: Short, dense coat; comes in a variety of colors and patterns
Life Span: 8 to 14 years
Continue to 5 of 10 below05 of 10Kurilian Bobtail
Vershinin / Getty Images
This bobtail cat breed lived for centuries on the Kuril Islands between Siberia and Japan. The bobbed tail is a naturally occurring trait and can range in length. In fact, no Kurilian bobtail cats have tails that look exactly alike. These cats are quite muscular, and they love to play. They also are intelligent and social, and typically get along well with people and other pets. Plus, they’re known for their ability to catch mice.
Breed Overview
Height: 9 to 12 inches
Weight: 11 to 15 pounds
Coat and Color: Soft, silky, short or semi-long coat; colors and patterns include red, gray, tabby, bobcat stripes, and more
Life Span: 15 to 20 years
06 of 10Cymric
Angie Selman / EyeEm / Getty Images
The Cymric is essentially a longhaired version of the Manx. Some—but not all—breed registries recognize it as a separate cat breed. Cymric cats have a dense double coat and typically lack a tail altogether, though some are born with a bobbed tail or even a full-length tail. A litter may include both Manx (shorthaired) and Cymric (longhaired) kittens because cats can carry the genes to produce either coat type.
Breed Overview
Height: 7 to 9 inches
Weight: 8 to 12 pounds
Coat and Color: Medium to long fur; comes in many colors and patterns
Life Span: 8 to 14 years
07 of 10Highlander
EndTimeImages / Getty Images The highlander is a new type of cat, originating in 2004 from a cross between a desert lynx and jungle curl, two hybrid cat breeds. This breed used to be known as the highland lynx. These cats have a wild look, but they are typically gentle and loving. They have a naturally occurring bobbed tail that ranges from around 2 to 6 inches long, though some kittens are born with full-length tails.
Breed Overview
Height: 10 to 16 inches
Weight: 10 to 20 pounds
Coat and Color: Short or long coat; comes in a variety of colors and patterns
Life Span: 10 to 15 years
08 of 10Mekong Bobtail
Konstik / Getty Images The Mekong bobtail originated in Thailand centuries ago and looks like a Siamese with a bobtail. This cat has a naturally bobbed tail that can vary in length and can be curved or kinked in different ways. Thus, every tail on a Mekong bobtail has a slightly different look. These cats don’t need a tail to help with their athleticism—they’re quite agile and love to climb and leap. They are smart and social and enjoy interacting with their family, so they require a lot of attention.
Breed Overview
Height: 7 to 9 inches
Weight: 8 to 10 pounds
Coat and Color: Short, glossy coat with barely any undercoat; comes in a variety of colors
Life Span: 15 to 18 years
Continue to 9 of 10 below09 of 10Karelian Bobtail
The Karelian bobtail hails from the Republic of Karelia, located between Finland and Russia. The bobbed tail is a naturally recessive gene, so both parents must have it for the kittens to have it. The tail can be bent, kinked, or twisted, and it sports longer fur than the rest of the body, giving it a pom-pom look. Overall, these cats tend to be quite friendly and easygoing companions.
Breed Overview
Height: 8 to 12 inches
Weight: 10 to 15 pounds
Coat and Color: Silky, dense, long or short coat; comes in several patterns and colors
Life Span: 15 to 18 years
10 of 10Desert Lynx
The desert lynx was bred to look like a bobcat. Several domestic cat breeds are in the breed's genetic makeup, including the Maine coon, Manx, American bobtail, and pixie-bob. These cats do look like bobcats with their muscular body, short tail, and spotted coat. Despite their wild appearance, they tend to be social and affectionate, with somewhat of a doglike persona.
Breed Overview
Height: 10 to 16 inches
Weight: 8 to 16 pounds
Coat and Color: Bobcat-like appearance; spotted or ticked coat that is commonly chocolate, silver, black, or blue
Life Span: 13 to 15 years
RECOMMENDED NEWS
How to Train Your Cat to Accept Mirror Reflections
Cats know they're beautiful but their reaction to a cat reflection in the mirror varies w...
Why Cats Eat Litter and How to Stop It
Cats may eat litter—and other undesirable materials—for a variety of reasons. This be...
Why Does My Cat Bite My Chin?
Any cat lovers know that cats, just like dogs, can have some interesting behaviors. Chin ...
Is There a Cat Food That Helps Prevent Urinary Problems?
Urinary issues are a common problem for cats. Many cats will experience signs of lower ur...
When Do Cats Shed the Most?
Living with cats means dealing with shedding. Most cats shed. Some exceptions to this rul...
Himalayan: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care
The Himalayan cat is a cross between the Persian and Siamese breeds. Their beautiful long...
Comments on "10 Unique Bobtail Cat Breeds" :