Japanese Bobtail

Bobtailed cats appear in Japanese scrolls, prints and carvings from the Middle Ages and are thought to have arrived from Korea as early as the sixth century ^[1]. Ownership was restricted to the court until 1602, when an imperial edict ordered all cats released to fight the rodents threatening the silk industry ^[1]. The bobtails spread across Japan, interbred with street cats, and the tail became the signature look of most Japanese cats ^[1]. FIFe says the breed is believed to derive from kinked-tailed cats widespread across Southeast Asia and southern China ^[2]. The first Japanese Bobtails reached the US in 1968; CFA granted championship to shorthairs in 1976 and longhairs in 1993 ^[1]. FIFe has recognised the shorthair since 1989 ^[2].

• Tail: for showing, it must be clearly visible and extend no more than three inches from the body; because the vertebrae may be curled, the tail can actually be longer ^[1]. The hair fans out into a pom-pom ^[2].
• Head: triangular, as long as it is wide, with high cheekbones, a long nose and large oval eyes set at a slant ^[1][2].
• Body: medium, fine-boned and long-legged, with large upright ears ^[1].
• Coat: short or long, with no undercoat ^[1].
• Colours: all colours; traditionally bicolour and mi-ke (calico) ^[1].

Japanese Bobtails are inquisitive, intelligent problem-solvers, playful and agile ^[1]. With high energy and a short attention span, they're both entertainers and loving family pets ^[1]. They get on with dogs and children of all ages, though other cats may need time to adjust ^[1]. They need plenty of attention and interaction and will ask for it ^[1]. Their soft voices make a variety of sounds, charming without being noisy ^[1]. FIFe adds that the breed is highly attracted to water ^[2].

• Coat: sheds minimally; comb shorthairs with a flea comb several times a month, longhairs more often with a fine long-tooth comb ^[1].
• Tail: always handle it gently, as it's sensitive ^[1].
• Activity: toys, interactive games and high places to leap to ^[1].

• Tail: CFA knows of no abnormalities associated with the breed's distinctive tail ^[1].
• Overall: a sturdy natural breed with no specific health concerns, according to CFA ^[1].
• Genetic diversity: breeders import Japanese street cats and use genetic testing to keep the gene pool healthy ^[1].
• Lifespan: we found no longevity study or registry estimate.

This is general information; talk to your vet about any specific concern.

Don't confuse with…

• Manx: tailless through a different gene, which can bring Manx syndrome ^[4].
• Vietnamese domestic cat with a short or kinked tail: FIFe notes kinked-tailed cats are widespread in Southeast Asia ^[2]; a short tail alone doesn't identify the breed.

• A 1602 edict sent cats into the streets to protect the silk industry ^[1].
• Every bobtail is unique ^[1].
• "Mi-ke" means calico ^[1].