American Bobtail

The American Bobtail is a medium-sized domestic cat known for its naturally short tail, which runs about one-third to one-half the length of an ordinary cat's tail. That tail is the product of a natural genetic mutation rather than any deliberate crossing with wild species, and no two bobtails have quite the same tail. The breed carries a sturdy, muscular frame, a slightly wild look and an alert expression.

Behind that rugged appearance sits a friendly, people-focused cat. Owners often call it dog-like, since it will trail family members from room to room, greet visitors at the door, and in many cases learn to play fetch or walk in a harness. It forms a close bond with its household and takes busy family life in its stride.

Maturity comes slowly, and a bobtail can take two to three years to reach full size and finished coat. American Bobtails appear in both shorthaired and longhaired varieties, and each has a double coat that gives the cat a solid, weatherproof feel.

Who it suits

The American Bobtail suits households after an interactive, sociable cat. It settles well into families, including those with respectful children, and it usually accepts other cats and cat-friendly dogs. People who travel a good deal or spend long hours away may find the breed too reliant on company, because it prefers steady human contact and grows bored when left on its own for long stretches.

The American Bobtail goes back to the 1960s in the United States. The founding cat most often cited was a short-tailed brown tabby male, found near an Arizona reservation by a couple passing through the area. Sometimes recorded under the name Yodie, this cat was mated to a domestic female, and several of the resulting kittens carried the short tail.

Early breeding through the 1960s and 1970s gave uneven results, and those first lines never stabilised. Breeders later restarted the programme, drawing on a wider pool of short-tailed domestic cats from around North America instead of leaning on one bloodline. That broader base did much to secure the breed's health and its variable, naturally occurring tail.

The short tail arises from a dominant genetic mutation within the domestic cat population. Despite the somewhat wild look, the breed was not made by crossing with wild bobcats, and no wild ancestry has been documented in the established lines.

The American Bobtail earned championship recognition with The International Cat Association in the 2000s, and the standards set out both shorthaired and longhaired varieties. It stays a relatively uncommon breed alongside the more widespread shorthaired cats.

The American Bobtail has a solid, athletic body with a broad chest, substantial bone and well-developed muscle. The hind legs sit slightly longer than the front, which gives the cat a natural stance and a confident walk. The head is a broad wedge with a gentle concave curve, and the almond-shaped eyes add to an alert, somewhat wild expression often likened to a hunting cat.

The short tail is the defining feature. It is flexible and expressive, usually one-third to one-half the length of a typical tail, and may be straight, slightly curved or marked by a small kink. The tail should sit clearly above the back and is never absent.

Coat and colours

Both coat lengths are double, pairing a resilient outer layer with a softer undercoat. The shorthair is dense and rather shaggy instead of sleek, while the longhair runs medium-long with a slight ruff, tufted ears and feathering on the legs and tail. The breed is accepted in essentially all colours and patterns, from tabby and solid to tortoiseshell and pointed variations, so coat colour is not a defining feature of the breed.

The American Bobtail is sociable and firmly attached to its people. It seeks out company, settles near family members and joins in with whatever is going on around the house. Many owners point to dog-like habits such as greeting people at the door, carrying toys about and coming when called.

With family the breed is warm and interactive without being pushy. It is generally patient and tolerant, which makes it a sensible choice for homes with respectful children. Around strangers the American Bobtail tends to be curious and confident rather than timid, though individuals differ. It usually gets on with other cats and with dogs that are relaxed around cats, helped along by its even temper.

The breed is clever and enjoys puzzle toys, games and learned tricks. It stays moderately active and playful into adulthood, yet it is not hyperactive and happily swaps play for quiet companionship. It is typically a quiet cat that communicates through chirps and trills rather than persistent loud meowing.

Grooming

• Brush the shorthair variety once or twice a week to lift loose hair from the double coat.
• Brush the longhair variety two to three times a week to head off mats, with extra care behind the ears, under the legs and around the ruff.
• Expect heavier shedding through seasonal coat changes and step up brushing over those weeks.
• Trim nails every two to three weeks and check the ears for wax or debris.
• Introduce tooth brushing or veterinary dental care to keep tartar in check.

Exercise

• Provide at least two play sessions a day with wand toys, balls or puzzle feeders.
• Offer climbing structures such as a cat tree or wall shelves to use the breed's athletic build.
• Many American Bobtails take to harness and lead training for supervised time outdoors.
• Rotate toys to keep the cat mentally engaged, since boredom can tip over into mischief.

Environment

The American Bobtail does best as an indoor cat with enough room to climb, explore and play. Being people-focused, it suits homes where someone is about for much of the day, or where a second compatible pet keeps it company. Provide scratching posts, resting spots near the family areas and a quiet retreat for downtime.

The American Bobtail is an obligate carnivore and needs a diet built around animal protein. Pick a complete and balanced commercial cat food suited to the cat's life stage, with named meat sources high on the ingredient list. That muscular frame benefits from ample protein, and portions should track body condition rather than being left out free-choice, since the breed can put on weight if overfed.

Feed measured meals on a routine rather than leaving food down all day. Adjust the amount to weight, age and how active the individual cat is, and cut calories for cats that are desexed or less active.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about ten percent of daily calories and count them in the overall ration. A cat on a complete commercial diet usually needs no supplements; add any supplement only on veterinary advice. Keep clean fresh water available at all times, and consider a portion of wet food to support hydration.

The American Bobtail is generally regarded as a robust breed, helped by its broad genetic foundation. With good care, most cats live between 13 and 15 years. As with any cat, individual health rests on genetics, diet, weight management and routine veterinary attention. Responsible breeders screen their breeding cats and steer clear of pairings that could produce tail or spinal problems.

Preventive care

• Book annual wellness exams, and twice-yearly visits for senior cats.
• Keep core vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date.
• Hold a healthy body condition through portion control and daily activity.
• Provide routine dental care to limit tartar and gum disease.
• Ask your breeder about health screening of the parent cats.

The American Bobtail is one of the more trainable cat breeds. Its intelligence and eagerness to interact mean it often picks up cues quickly and enjoys the mental work. Many individuals learn to come when called, fetch toys and walk in a harness. Training goes best in short sessions of a few minutes, repeated regularly, with food rewards or play as the motivator.

Basics

1. Start with litter training, which the breed usually takes to readily; keep trays clean and accessible.
2. Use a clicker or a consistent marker word paired with a treat to mark correct behaviour.
3. Teach simple cues such as come and sit before moving on to tricks like fetch.
4. Introduce a harness indoors first, letting the cat wear it briefly before you attach a lead.
5. End every session on a success and keep the experience positive.

The American Bobtail matures more slowly than many breeds, often reaching full physical and coat development between two and three years of age. Sexual maturity comes earlier, but reputable breeders wait until cats are well grown and health-checked before breeding. Females typically come into season seasonally, and queens are generally attentive, capable mothers.

Gestation lasts around nine weeks, after which the queen delivers a litter that is usually small to average in size. Kittens are born with their short tails already in place, and tail length and shape vary even within one litter thanks to the natural variability of the trait. Kittens stay with the mother and littermates through weaning and early socialisation, and responsible breeders keep them until around twelve weeks so they are well socialised before heading to new homes.

The short tail is inherited as a dominant trait. Breeders avoid mating two cats in ways that risk spinal or tail defects, and they select for sound, healthy tails. Because the breed leans on a broad outcross base, careful pairing helps hold genetic diversity and overall health.

American Bobtail registration and microchipping in Australia

Torn flyscreens and doors left ajar send indoor cats to the pound every week, and a fair few states expect pet cats chipped and on the register anyway. A free United Pet Club profile means the scan pulls up your number wherever your American Bobtail turns up. Register your cat in a couple of minutes, free for her whole life.

Scanners find chips in seconds; the question is what the number points at. Point your American Bobtail's chip at a live record: free with the lifetime plan, open to all brands, kept current through every move without charges. Microchip registration plus a free account, and she's covered.