| If you want a friendly cat and don't mind that the | | | | common than longhair cats, since the shorthair gene |
| breed you've chosen is a bit of an upstart in the cat | | | | is actually dominant. |
| world, since it only has existed since the nineteen | | | | Since American Bobtails are very friendly and a bit |
| sixties, you may want to consider the American | | | | nosy, they are prone to get into quite a bit of |
| Bobtail. | | | | mischief if they are unsupervised and become bored. |
| The American Bobtail is one of only three breeds in | | | | If you are away from home for long periods of time, |
| the Cat Fancier's Association's Provisional Class, which | | | | you should be sure that there are plenty of toys |
| is where cat breeds are placed until they show that | | | | available so that your cat can amuse himself and still |
| they are able to stay true to their standards. This | | | | keep out of trouble. Since this breed is fairly sociable, |
| breed is a lightweight compared to many other | | | | you may also want to add a second cat to the |
| breeds, weighing in at seven to fifteen pounds. | | | | household to avoid having your cat feel too lonely. |
| The American Bobtail received its name because of | | | | The American Bobtail's outgoing temperament makes |
| its extremely short tail. While no one is completely | | | | this breed an ideal choice for families. If you socialize |
| sure how this breed was developed, cat fanciers | | | | your kitten from a young age, he should actually look |
| suspect that the American Bobcat, Manx, and | | | | forward to having friends and family visit. |
| Japanese Bobtail breeds are all ancestors of the | | | | When the Bobtail was first developed, this breed had |
| American Bobtail. However, while the Manx can be | | | | quite a few common health problems. However, in |
| completely tailless and still are able to compete in the | | | | the late twentieth century, concerned devotees of |
| show ring, the American Bobtail must have a tail. The | | | | the breed worked to rid it of most of these |
| tail should be short enough to stop before it reaches | | | | problems. Today, the American Bobtail is a strong, |
| the cat's hocks. | | | | sturdy cat. |
| While many cats have a sleek, slender appearance, | | | | Since even the shorthair has a coat of some length, |
| the American Bobtail standard calls for a stocky, | | | | you will need to groom your cat at least once a |
| muscular cat with big paws and a slightly wild | | | | week. Although the longhair coat does not tangle |
| appearance. This cat's head is wedge shaped, but | | | | easily, you may need to groom your longhair Bobtail a |
| broader than normal. The Bobtail breed can be a | | | | bit more frequently. If you accustom your kitten to |
| shorthair or a longhair, but even shorthair cats do not | | | | the grooming process when he is young, he will |
| have smooth coats. The shorthair coat still is long | | | | actually grow to enjoy the attention. |
| enough to give the cat a bit of a shaggy look. While | | | | If you want to own a cat who is sweet and sociable, |
| the Bobtail can come in any color, fawn and white, | | | | but still has an undomesticated streak, then the |
| blue tabby, red tabby, and brown tabby are the | | | | American Bobtail may just be the perfect breed for |
| most common colors. Shorthair cats are much more | | | | you. |