American Bobtail

History

Bobtail cats, the result of a natural genetic mutation that causes a shortened tail, have appeared in various places over the centuries, from Japan to the Isle of Man. Sometimes they get noticed by the right people and voila! A new breed is born. Such was the case with the American Bobtail, who is descended from a cat-tailed kitten that John and Brenda Sanders acquired during their vacation in Arizona. They called him Yodi, and he became the father of the breed in the 60's pepper when he got his way with Sanders bitch Mishi when they came home again in Iowa.

Yodi and Mishi's kittens also had short tails, suggesting that the trait was caused by a dominant gene. The friend of the Mindy Shultz family, who had experience in breeding Persians, worked with Charlotte Bentley to develop the unusual cats into a breed. They paired the kittens with other naturally short-tailed cats found in various locations in the United States and Canada. They selectively bred the cats to be large and robust, with a cool appearance but a sweet temperament. All cats used to develop the breed were short-haired and long-haired cats without pedigree. Now, after 50 years, such a crossing is no longer necessary because cats now have pedigrees that are longer than the tail.

The International Cat Association accepted the American Bobtail into its new breed category in 1989 and granted it full recognition in 2002. The American Bobtail is also recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association and the American Cat Fanciers Association.

Size

The American bobtail usually weighs 8 to 13 pounds.

Personality

Let's say you love Golden Retrievers' personalities, but their size and energy levels are a little more than you can handle. American bobtail lovers say you should take a look at their cat instead. He is a lover with a heart of gold, who is fond of his people, follows them, likes to play, walks nicely on a leash (after training of course) and greets the guests with a smile.

This is a smart cat who likes puzzle toys, learns tricks and picks up. He is not as loud as some races, but he communicates his joy with chirping, clicking and tripling, as well as the usual spinning and softness.

American Bobtail is customizable, so it's a good traveler. Long-distance drivers and hillside engineers think it is an excellent companion. Even with some psychotherapists, cats have found a niche because of their loving and intuitive nature. The same adaptability and kindness makes him a good family companion and suitable for a variety of lifestyles, from relaxed to rowdy.

Health

Both pedigree and mixed breed cats have different frequencies of health problems that can be genetic. American bobtails are generally healthy.

Maintenance

The American Bobtail coat is usually not matte or matte as long as you comb or brush it a few times a week. You may find that the cat sheds more hair in the spring and fall, so it may be a good idea to take care of them more often during these times. A bath is rarely necessary.

Brush your teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Cut your nails every two weeks. Wipe the eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove any discharge. Use a separate area of the cloth for each eye so that you do not risk spreading an infection.

Check your ears every week. If they look dirty, wipe them with a cotton swab or a soft, damp cloth dampened with a 50-50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the inside of the ear.

Keep the litter box completely clean. Cats attach great importance to hygiene in the bathroom.

It is a good idea to keep an American Bobtail as an indoor single cat to protect it from diseases transmitted by other cats, attacks from dogs or coyotes and other dangers that cats face when they go outdoors, such as z. hit by a car. American Bobtails that go outside also risk being stolen by someone who wants such a beautiful cat without paying for it.

Fur color and grooming

With its short tail, felted ears and toes and powerful body, the American Bobtail has an unmistakably wild look - similar to that of a bobcat - but it is a domestic cat through and through. It varies in size from medium to large and matures slowly, taking up to three years to reach full size.

Since this breed is characterized by its short tail, this is a good place to start with a description of what it looks like. Each tail is unique. Most are 1 to 4 inches long, but they can be shorter or longer. The perfect bobtail is flexible and expressive, long enough to be visible above the back when the cat is alert and can be straight with a fat pad at the end, slightly curved or bent or bumpy along the length of the tail. Kittens are almost never completely tailless, as is sometimes the case with Manx. Some litters have kittens with long tails. They do not become stars in the show ring, but can be used in breeding programs.

The striking athletic body is covered in two lengths with furry fur. The short-haired American Bobtail actually has a medium-length double coat with hard outer hair that lies over a soft, downy undercoat. If the coat is thinner in color, lynx tip or silver, the coat may have a softer texture. Long-haired bobtails have a rough and long hair on the hind legs (upper hind legs), stomach and tail. On the face, the long hair may look like it is carrying sheep chops. The coat is available in all colors and patterns. The eyes can have any color except odd (each eye has a different color).

Children and other pets

The sociable and relaxed American bobtail loves to play, so it is a great choice for families with children. Always monitor younger children to make sure they are not harming the cat by pulling on the fur or twisting the tail.

Thanks to his lovable nature, he also likes to live with other cats and cat-friendly dogs. Introduce pets slowly and under controlled conditions to ensure that they learn to get along with each other.

Characteristics

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