The American Bobtail Cat
A Short-Tailed Cat History

The American Bobtail Cat was discovered in Arizona - situated in the south-western region of the USA. Apart from having the Grand Canyon, numerous parks and national forests, Indian Reservations are also located here. It was on one of these Indian Reservations that this unsual cat breed has its origin.

History

It is believed to have been around 1964 when John and Brenda Saunders, of Iowa were on vacation in Arizona near an Indian Reservation. Whilst there, they found a wild-looking, brown tabby kitten with a short, upright tail. They were absolutely fascinated by this unusual kitten, so much so, that they took him home. They called him Yodi.

Yodi was eventually mated with the Saunders' seal point Siamese cat. Later on, one of the kittens from this union was in turn crossed with a cream-colored cat and a new cat breed was born.

Sadly, due to excessive inbreeding these cats largely died out.

Many years later - between 1980 and 1990, Reaha Evans and Lisa Black started work on a breed similar to Yodi in appearance.

This short-tailed American Bobtail cat was eventually accepted by both the CFA and TICA for champion status. Most major cat breed associations recognize the breed, albeit as recently as 2006.

So where did the cat get its short tail?

One unsubstantiated theory is that this short-tailed cat breed was the result of a cross-breeding with a domestic tabby and a wild bobcat. This theory is in fact linked to the Pixie Bob and not the American Bobtail.

The short tail is in fact a spontaneous, genetic mutation from a dominant gene that occurs amongst domestic cats from time to time.

The breeders that we chatted to confirmed that there is absolutely no Bobcat or wild cat involved in breeding these domestic bobtail cats.

Over the years, the breed has changed in appearance. The original bobtail had a short coat, but following the introduction of ColorPoints (Himalayans) into the cat breeding program, the coat became medium length. The breed has been 'modified' and a 'new improved' cat is shown today, which is sweeter but one that has retained the 'wild-look'. Their walk needs to resemble that of the wild Bobcat - a natural rolling gait! Both short and longhaired versions are recognized for competition.

For additional cat information on these 'different cat breeds':

American Bobtail Cat - comprehensive cat facts

Cat Photo - cat breeds photo gallery

Thanks to the Photographers, owners and breeders of these athletic Short-tailed Cats!

Cat Photos provided by:

Patricia Peters

of Attitude Acres Isn't it time for you to get an Attitude? Cats in the garden

Lorna Dawn Friemoth

of NuDawnz Cattery - Friemoth Family Cats

GCBW NuDawnz The Gnome from Nome - white © Preston Smith Photography

CHBW Shelbies Liberty Belle silver tabby SH © Preston Smith