Japanese Bobtail Cat

Country of Origin:	Japan
Colors:	White, Black, Red, Brown, Blue, Cream, Mi-Ke, Tortoiseshell, Silver, Dilute Tortoiseshell
Average Size:	Weight: : 8-12 lbs  (3.6 – 5.44 kg)  Length: small to medium
Life Span:	9-13 yrs.
Coat:	Short/Long
Personality:	A smart, sweet cat, outgoing, friendly and intelligent
Characteristics:	Energy: Active      Talkative:     High      Kid Friendly:    Yes    Allergic: No

According to one theory, short tailed cats arrived around 1000 years from the Asian continent. In that time, Japanese Bobtail cats were the street cats of Japan. Japanese Bobtail cats arrived to the Western Hemisphere in 1968 thanks to Elizabeth Freret who imported them from Japan.

Already in 1976 the Japanese Bobtail was accepted for competitions and Champion status in the CFA (Cat Fancier’s Association). In 1993, longhaired varieties were recognized. Starting from this year, 2013, there are plenty of Japanese Bobtail breeders, and most of them are based in the North America and Europe.

A Japanese Bobtail cat is in fact a breed of domestic cat. What makes it different from other breeds is its bobbed tail that resembles a lot tails of rabbits. Even though these cats can be found worldwide, they are in fact of Japanese origin. This cat breed is very popular and well known in Japan, and because of that it appears in traditional art and folklore. Japanese Bobtail cats can be of any color, even multicoloured with patterns. These cats are very favoured by Japanese cat fanciers.

Their head is of equilateral triangle and has very large and upright ears looking as if on alert. Their muzzle is not blunt or pointed but rather round and broad. Japanese Bobtail cats have oval and large eyes. The body is of medium size with long torso. These cats are of elegant structure while at the same time showing muscular strength. Males are larger than females. Their neck is neither short nor long; they have high, slender and long legs. Hind legs are longer than forelegs; they have oval paws, and four toes on the hind legs and five toes on the forelegs. Japanese Bobtail cats have silk, soft and medium length coat with silky texture. Even though they have a very short tail, it still must be clearly visible.

This cat breed is very intelligent. These cats are very active and human oriented. It is much easier to each them tricks than to some other breeds. Also, it is important to note that the Japanese Bobtail cats rank among the most genetically diverse breeds.