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Japanese Bobtail
Temperament:
*Vibrantly Alert
*Affectionate
*Active
*Fond of Water
"While the Japanese Bobtail's distinctive good looks and bunny-rabbit
tail are what people first notice, its the cat's purrsonality that truly wins
them over."
The Japanese Bobtail is a feline that loves to babysit, insists on overseeing
household chores and generally enjoys being part of the family.
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| Head: Forms
an almost perfect triangle |
| Eyes: Large,
oval, slanted in profile |
| Ears: Large,
round tipped, upright, pricked forward |
| Body: Medium
size; lean, long, well muscled; long back legs |
| Coat: Medium
length; soft, silky |
| Tail: Short
and bushy; may be kinked, multi-kinked, or corkscrew |
| Patterns: Traditionally
tortie-and-whhite; also white, black, red, black-and-white, red-and-white,
tortoiseshell |
Breed History: Known
in its homeland as Kazuko Neko, or family cat, the Japanese Bobtail has a
history as long as its tail is short. Domestic cats were introduced to Japan
over a thousand years ago. And among these cats was a genetic mutation- a
short pom-pom of a tail. Highly valued for their good looks and amenable
personality, Bobtails were considered far superior to long tailed cats and
reserved for the nobility. In 1602 the Bobtail lost its high status. Vermin
were threatening Japan's silkworms and authorities laid down the law: all
cats, including the Bobtail, had to be set free to roam the streets and
countryside in order to rid the country of the vermin.
Throughout this time, the Bobtail kept a special place in the hearts of its
people, and in time it became the most popular family cat as well as a
cultural icon. Bobtails often raise one paw while they sit, a gesture that is
considered good luck in Japan. This pose has been captured in the famous
Maneki-neko (beckoning cat) in paintings, print, sculpture, and ceramics.
It wasn't until the 1960's that the Japanese Bobtail widened its audience.
U.S. judges who were attending a Japanese cat show were smitten by the
Bobtail, and the Japanese realized that their Bobtail was worthy of more
serious attention. In the early 1970's the Japanese Bobtail was recognized as
a pedigree- and five years later Bobtails began appearing in shows.
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