The American Bobtail is an affectionate, dog-like cat with a distinctive short tail and a playful, devoted nature.
How the American Bobtail coat is built, and what that means when you groom it.
Critical: A American Bobtail should not be shaved.
The undercoat keeps heat out as well as in, and the outer coat shields the skin from sun and insect bites. Clipping the whole coat off removes both. It often grows back patchy, soft or a different colour, and in some animals the guard hairs never return properly. Brush the undercoat out instead of cutting it off.
The American Bobtail is a medium-sized cat from the United States, known for its short tail and affectionate, dog-like personality. It is playful, devoted, and good with children.
The American Bobtail is a medium-sized domestic cat recognized for its naturally short tail, which is roughly one-third to one-half the length of an ordinary cat's tail. The tail is the result of a natural genetic mutation rather than deliberate crossing with wild species, and no two bobtails carry exactly the same tail. The breed has a sturdy, muscular build, a slightly wild appearance, and an alert expression.
Despite its rugged look, the American Bobtail is friendly and people-oriented. Owners often describe it as dog-like because it tends to follow family members from room to room, greets visitors, and in many cases learns to play fetch or walk on a harness. It bonds closely with its household and adapts well to busy family life.
The breed matures slowly, often taking two to three years to reach full size and coat development. American Bobtails come in both shorthaired and longhaired varieties, and both have a double coat that gives them a substantial, weatherproof feel.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | United States |
| Size | Medium |
| Lifespan | 13 to 15 years |
| Group / role | Companion cat |
| Good with | Children, families, other pets |
The American Bobtail fits households that want an interactive, sociable cat. It does well with families, including those with respectful children, and it usually accepts other cats and cat-friendly dogs. People who travel often or are away for long hours may find the breed too dependent on company, since it prefers steady human contact and can become bored when left alone for extended periods.
The American Bobtail emerged in the United States in the 1960s from a short-tailed feral cat, and was developed into a recognized breed over the following decades.
The American Bobtail traces back to the 1960s in the United States. The most commonly cited founding cat was a short-tailed brown tabby male found near an Arizona reservation by a couple traveling through the area. This cat, sometimes recorded under the name Yodie, was bred to a domestic female, and some of the resulting kittens carried the short tail.
Early breeding efforts in the 1960s and 1970s produced inconsistent results, and the original lines were not stable. Breeders later restarted the program using a wider range of short-tailed domestic cats from across North America rather than relying on a single bloodline. This broader foundation helped establish the breed's health and its variable, naturally occurring tail.
The short tail comes from a dominant genetic mutation within the domestic cat population. The breed was not created by crossing with wild bobcats, despite its somewhat wild appearance, and there is no documented wild ancestry in the established lines.
The American Bobtail gained championship recognition with The International Cat Association in the 2000s, and standards describe both shorthaired and longhaired varieties. It remains a relatively uncommon breed compared with more widespread shorthaired cats.
The American Bobtail is a medium to large, muscular cat with a short expressive tail, a wild-looking face, and a double coat that comes in short and long lengths and most colors.
The American Bobtail has a solid, athletic body with a broad chest, substantial bone, and well-developed muscle. The hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs, which gives the cat a natural stance and a confident gait. The head is a broad wedge with a slight concave curve, and the eyes are almond-shaped, contributing to an alert, somewhat wild expression often compared to that of a hunting cat.
The defining feature is the short tail. It is flexible and expressive, usually one-third to one-half the length of a typical tail, and may be straight, slightly curved, or have a small kink. The tail should be clearly visible above the back and is never absent.
| Trait | Standard |
|---|---|
| Height | Approximately 23 to 25 cm (9 to 10 in) at the shoulder |
| Weight | 3 to 7 kg (7 to 16 lb), males larger than females |
| Coat | Double coat in shorthair and longhair varieties |
| Colors | All colors and patterns accepted |
| Eyes | Almond-shaped, color in keeping with coat |
Both coat lengths are double, with a resilient outer layer and a softer undercoat. The shorthair is dense and somewhat shaggy rather than sleek, while the longhair is medium-long with a slight ruff, tufted ears, and feathering on the legs and tail. The breed is accepted in essentially all colors and patterns, including tabby, solid, tortoiseshell, and pointed variations, so coat color is not a defining characteristic of the breed.
The American Bobtail is affectionate, playful, and devoted, with a dog-like attachment to its family and an easygoing attitude toward children and other pets.
The American Bobtail is sociable and strongly attached to its people. It tends to seek out company, settle near family members, and involve itself in household activity. Many owners note dog-like behaviors such as greeting people at the door, carrying toys, and coming when called.
With family the breed is warm and interactive without being overly demanding. It is generally patient and tolerant, which makes it a reasonable choice for homes with respectful children. Toward strangers the American Bobtail is usually curious and confident rather than shy, though individual cats vary. It tends to get along with other cats and with dogs that are comfortable around cats, helped by its even temperament.
The breed is intelligent and enjoys problem-solving toys, games, and learned tricks. It is moderately active and playful into adulthood, but it is not hyperactive and is content to alternate play with quiet companionship. It is typically a quiet cat that communicates through chirps and trills rather than persistent loud meowing.
| Trait | Rating |
|---|---|
| Affection | 5 |
| Energy | 3 |
| Trainability | 4 |
| Vocalness | 2 |
| Shedding | 3 |
The American Bobtail needs regular brushing for its double coat, daily interactive play, and a home where it has steady company and enrichment.
The American Bobtail does best as an indoor cat with enough space to climb, explore, and play. Because it is people-oriented, it suits homes where someone is around for much of the day or where a second compatible pet provides company. Provide scratching posts, resting spots near family areas, and a quiet retreat for downtime.
Feed the American Bobtail a complete, high-protein cat food in measured portions, adjusted for life stage and activity, with fresh water always available.
The American Bobtail is an obligate carnivore and needs a diet built around animal protein. Choose a complete and balanced commercial cat food appropriate to the cat's life stage, with named meat sources high on the ingredient list. The breed's muscular frame benefits from adequate protein, and portions should be matched to body condition rather than fed free-choice, since the breed can gain weight if overfed.
Feed measured meals on a routine rather than leaving food out all day. Adjust amounts based on weight, age, and how active the individual cat is, and reduce calories for cats that are spayed, neutered, or less active.
| Life stage | Amount per day | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| Kitten (up to 12 months) | Per package, fed to appetite | 3 to 4 |
| Adult (1 to 7 years) | Approximately 50 to 70 kcal per kg body weight | 2 |
| Senior (7+ years) | Adjusted for weight and activity | 2 |
Keep treats to no more than about ten percent of daily calories and account for them in the overall ration. A cat eating a complete commercial diet usually does not need supplements; introduce any supplement only on veterinary advice. Provide clean fresh water at all times, and consider a portion of wet food to support hydration.
The American Bobtail is generally a hardy breed with a lifespan of 13 to 15 years, though tail-related and common feline conditions warrant routine veterinary care.
The American Bobtail is generally considered 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 depends on genetics, diet, weight management, and routine veterinary attention. Responsible breeders screen breeding cats and avoid pairings that could produce tail or spinal problems.
| Condition | Signs | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | Stiffness, reluctance to jump, altered gait | More likely in larger, heavier individuals |
| Tail or spinal sensitivity | Discomfort near the tail base, sensitivity to handling | Linked to the short-tail trait in some lines |
| Obesity | Weight gain, reduced activity | Manage with measured feeding and play |
| Dental disease | Bad breath, drooling, difficulty eating | Common in cats; prevent with dental care |
The American Bobtail is intelligent and trainable, often learning tricks, fetch, and harness walking through short, reward-based sessions.
The American Bobtail is one of the more trainable cat breeds. Its intelligence and desire 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 on a harness. Training works best in short sessions of a few minutes, repeated regularly, using food rewards or play as motivation.
The American Bobtail matures slowly and produces small to average litters, with the short tail inherited as a dominant trait requiring careful breeding to protect health.
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 arrives 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 roughly 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 present, and tail length and shape vary even within a single litter because of the natural variability of the trait. Kittens stay with the mother and littermates through weaning and early socialization, and responsible breeders keep them until around twelve weeks so they are well socialized before going 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 relies on a broad outcross base, careful pairing helps maintain genetic diversity and overall health.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Age at maturity | Full development at 2 to 3 years |
| Gestation | Approximately 63 to 65 days |
| Average litter size | Small to average, commonly 2 to 5 kittens |
| Tail inheritance | Dominant genetic trait, variable expression |
| Weaning / rehoming | Weaned by 8 weeks, rehomed around 12 weeks |
A free lifetime United Pet Club record for your American Bobtail, plus microchip registration that stays current through every move.
An indoor American Bobtail is one propped door away from being a stray, and shelters meet those cats every day. A free United Pet Club profile stands between the two: your contact details, your cat's photo, and its chip number if it has one, all on one record a clinic can find. Registering your cat takes minutes and never costs anything.
A scanner can read your American Bobtail's chip in two seconds; the question is whether the number leads anywhere. Registration is what makes it lead to you. It is free for life at United Pet Club, accepts chips from every manufacturer, and stays searchable through the AAHA lookup after every address change. Register the chip, then create your account if you have not yet.
Sign up free with United Pet Club, add your American Bobtail's name, coloring, and a photo, and save. The profile lasts the cat's lifetime at no charge, indoor or outdoor, chip or no chip.
Add the 15-digit number from the implant paperwork to your free United Pet Club account and check that your phone number is current. The lifetime plan is free, accepts every chip brand, and never charges for updates.
Yes. Escapes are exactly how indoor cats end up in shelters, and a shelter can only call the number a registry hands it. A free profile, with or without a chip, is what makes that call possible.
Zero. Profile, microchip registration, and unlimited updates are all covered by United Pet Club's free lifetime plan.
Common questions about the American Bobtail's size, temperament, care needs, lifespan, suitability, and availability.
It is a medium to large cat. Most weigh between 3 and 7 kg (7 to 16 lb), with males noticeably larger than females, and they stand around 23 to 25 cm at the shoulder.
It is affectionate, playful, devoted, and intelligent. The breed is often called dog-like because it follows its family around, greets visitors, and can learn tricks and fetch. It is also good with children.
Care is moderate. The double coat needs brushing once or twice a week for shorthairs and a few times a week for longhairs, plus daily play. Its main need is company, since it does not like long stretches alone.
With good care, most live 13 to 15 years. Routine veterinary visits, a balanced diet, and a healthy weight support a long life.
Yes. It is patient and sociable, generally does well with respectful children, and usually gets along with other cats and cat-friendly dogs.
The short tail comes from a natural dominant genetic mutation in domestic cats, not from crossing with wild bobcats. Tail length and shape vary from cat to cat.
They are relatively uncommon compared with widespread shorthaired breeds. Kittens are usually obtained through dedicated breeders, and waiting lists are not unusual.
