American Bobtail
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| American Bobtail |
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Missing image AmericanBobtail.jpg A brown tabby American bobtail. |
| Country of origin |
| United States |
| Breed standards (external links) |
| CFA (http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/profiles/american-bobtail.html/), TICA (http://www.tica.org/bbbrdgrpstd03.pdf/) |
The American Bobtail is a relatively new and uncommon breed of cat most notable for its stubby "bobbed" tail about 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. 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.
According to legend, bobtails are the result of a crossbreeding between a domestic tabby cat and a bobcat. This is not genetically possible, and the unusual tail is actually the result of a random genetic mutation. The breed was recognised by the International Cat Association in 1989.
External links
- American Bobtail info (http://www.thedailycat.com/13cats/facts/briefs/archive/brief_amerbobtail/)
- American Bobtail info (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/catamericanbobtail.htm)