American Bobtail

The American Bobtail is a medium-sized domestic cat known for its naturally short tail, which runs roughly one-third to one-half the length of an ordinary cat's tail. That tail comes from a natural genetic mutation and not from any deliberate cross with wild species, and no two bobtails carry exactly the same tail. The breed has a sturdy, muscular build, a slightly wild look about it and an alert expression.

For all its rugged appearance, the American Bobtail is friendly and people-oriented. Owners often call it dog-like, since it tends to follow the family 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 settles easily into busy family life.

The breed matures slowly, usually taking two to three years to reach full size and coat development. American Bobtails come in both shorthaired and longhaired varieties, and both carry a double coat that gives them a substantial, weatherproof feel.

Who it suits

The American Bobtail suits households that want an interactive, sociable cat. It does well with families, respectful children included, and it usually accepts other cats and cat-friendly dogs. People who travel a great deal or are out for long hours may find the breed too dependent on company, because it prefers steady human contact and grows bored when left on its own for extended stretches.

The American Bobtail traces 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 travelling 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 work through the 1960s and 1970s gave inconsistent results, and the original lines never stabilised. Breeders later restarted the programme using a wider range of short-tailed domestic cats from across North America rather than leaning 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, whatever its somewhat wild appearance suggests, 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 the standards describe both shorthaired and longhaired varieties. It remains a relatively uncommon breed alongside more widespread shorthaired cats.

The American Bobtail has a solid, athletic body with a broad chest, heavy bone and well-developed muscle. The hind legs are a touch 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, adding to an alert, somewhat wild expression that is often likened 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 it may be straight, slightly curved or carry a small kink. The tail should sit clearly visible above the back and is never absent.

Coat and colours

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 colours and patterns, including tabby, solid, tortoiseshell and pointed variations, so coat colour is not a defining characteristic of the breed.

The American Bobtail is sociable and strongly attached to its people. It tends to seek out company, settle near family members and take part in whatever is going on in the house. Many owners note dog-like behaviour such as greeting people at the door, carrying toys about and coming when called.

With family the breed is warm and interactive without being over-demanding. It is generally patient and tolerant, which makes it a sensible choice for homes with respectful children. Toward strangers the American Bobtail is usually curious and confident rather than shy, though individual cats differ. It tends to get on with other cats and with dogs that are comfortable around cats, helped along by its even temperament.

The breed is intelligent and enjoys problem-solving toys, games and learned tricks. It stays moderately active and playful well into adulthood, but it is not hyperactive and is happy to alternate play with quiet company. 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 prevent mats, paying extra attention behind the ears, under the legs and around the ruff.
• Expect heavier shedding during seasonal coat changes and step up brushing over those periods.
• Trim nails every two to three weeks and check the ears for wax or debris.
• Introduce dental brushing or veterinary dental care to keep tartar in check.

Exercise

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

Environment

The American Bobtail does best as an indoor cat with enough room 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 the family areas and a quiet retreat for downtime.

The American Bobtail is an obligate carnivore and needs a diet built around animal protein. Choose a complete and balanced commercial cat food suited 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 put on weight if overfed.

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

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about ten percent of daily calories and account for them in the overall ration. A cat on a complete commercial diet usually needs no 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 reckoned 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 avoid pairings that could produce tail or spinal problems.

Preventive care

• Book annual wellness checks, 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 its wish 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.

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 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 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 socialisation, and responsible breeders keep them until around twelve weeks so they are well socialised 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.

Registering an American Bobtail in South Africa

Every stray that reaches an SPCA branch gets scanned, and the scan only helps when a registry answers with a name and number. Give your American Bobtail that answer: a free United Pet Club profile, good for her whole life, indoor cat or garden wanderer. Registering your cat takes minutes and never carries a fee.

A scanner reads your American Bobtail's chip in seconds; the registry decides whether the reading goes anywhere. Capture the 15-digit number in your free United Pet Club account and it goes straight to your phone. Free for life, every brand accepted, every update free. Microchip registration closes the loop.