Bobtail cat breed – care features and photos of your pet

The Kurilian Bobtail is a young breed of domestic cat that is rapidly gaining popularity among breeders in our country. Beautiful, charming, and possessing incredible innate qualities, it's impossible not to love this animal. These charming cats make you fall in love with them from the moment you meet them. Their distinctive tail, glossy coat, and intelligent, thoughtful gaze instantly capture everyone's attention.

Plus, pets have a friendly nature, which allows the animal to easily get along with children or other pets living in the apartment.

The breed is also characterized by incredible sensitivity and tenderness, which manifests itself in boundless love and affection for its owners, a lifelong bond. If a person decides to purchase a Kurilian Bobtail, they will acquire a loyal and devoted companion, despite the animal's original name, which means "short tail."

The tail is the main distinguishing feature of a cat, as shown in the photo. Moreover, every cat has its own unique shape. Breeders believe that the tail is a distinctive feature of each individual, like a fingerprint in a human. This body part is a mark of the breed's quality and is the basis for the success and recognition of bobtails among breeders worldwide.

A look into the history of the Kurilian Bobtail

The Kurilian Bobtail breed was discovered not long ago, at the end of the 20th centuryThe first representatives of this feline breed were discovered on the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin. However, since the term "breed" didn't exist at the time, people visiting the islands simply admired the tailless animal, not knowing its name.

The first Kurilian Bobtails were brought to the mainland by the military in the late 1980s. Despite the exorbitant price of the Kurilian Bobtail at the time, the breed quickly gained popularity among pet lovers. Owners of the new breed are eager to show off their elegant and attractive cats to other breeders.

After the tailless cat's appearance at international shows, a wave of mixed opinions and all sorts of debates arose regarding the new breed. Most experts were inclined to believe that the animal belonged to to the Japanese Bobtail breedTherefore, many Kuril cats were awarded passports as relatives in Japan. However, the breed's distinctive features were unable to be integrated into Japanese cat standards due to their distinct characteristics.

The first Kurilian Bobtail standards were certified by domestic felinologists in 1991, when the first specimens were brought in. In early 1995, new WCF breed standards for the Kurilian Bobtail were adopted. The current standards, which were revised again in 2001, are still in effect in our country. In early 2004, the breed was recognized by International European Associations, which granted the Kurilian Bobtail champion status.

Breed characteristics

Kurilian bobtails, due to their physiological characteristics, comparable to a miniature lynxThanks to the tufts on their ears and their luxurious fur, which lends them a special charm, cats are popular with pet lovers. Just looking at a photo of a pet, a person will be captivated by this beautiful and graceful animal, which has the following characteristics:

• The cat has a muscular body structure. Its back is arched, and its hind legs are longer than its rounded front paws.
• The tail has curves and knots. It's no more than 8 centimeters long, not counting the fur. Due to the longer fur on the tail, it resembles a fluffy pom-pom.
• Kurilian Bobtails have a large, trapezoidal head with smooth contours.
• The animal's muzzle is of medium length and has wide outlines.
• The medium-sized ears are widened at the base, tilting slightly forward and rounded at the tips.
• The rounded eyes are set wide apart and slightly angled. The eye color usually matches the coat color.
• The animal's fur can be either very short or quite long.
• The Kurilian Bobtail surpasses most other felines in its variety of colors. The only thing missing from this cat is lilac and chocolate.

Based on the length of the coat, breeders distinguish short-haired breed Cats and animals with medium-length hair. The latter, however, lack a well-developed coat: they have a topcoat and a dense undercoat. These felines have a ruff around their necks and beautiful tufts on their ears. Short-haired cats, on the other hand, have close-lying fur and, depending on their physiological characteristics, a well-developed or weak undercoat.

The character of the Kurilian Bobtail

If a person decides to get a Kurilian Bobtail, then there is no doubt that there will be a new one in the house a faithful and reliable friend, which will be loved by all family members due to the animal’s unique character traits.

• The cat is sociable and friendly, exhibits excellent agility and has a well-developed intellect.
• Thanks to its unique abilities, animals are quickly and easily trained to use a litter box. To develop these qualities in a kitten, a person needs to be affectionate and constantly interact with the pet. You can't train an animal if it's not in the mood.
• As strange as it may sound, Kurilian Bobtails are comparable to dogs. Almost every cat easily learns the command "fetch."
• Moreover, the cat doesn't allow strangers into its territory and is suspicious of strangers who come to visit. If the cat's owners are in danger, the cat will definitely find a way to warn them.
• This unique domestic predator happily becomes a companion in games with children or during relaxation with its owner.
• Often, an animal that is in a large family as an owner chooses only one person to whom it will become a devoted friend for the rest of its life.
• The Kurilian Bobtail often displays its predatory nature and is an excellent ratter and fisherman. A mouse or rat will never appear in the territory of a domesticated predator.
• What makes this breed unique is that these cats are not afraid of water at all and will happily dive into the first body of water they come across.
• An active pet has an endless supply of energy, which is spent all day on various games.
• The Kurilian Bobtail doesn't tend to do anything its owner forbids. This animal doesn't have situations where its owners return home from work to find peeling wallpaper or torn upholstery on the sofa.

A very useful quality of the bobtail's character is that the cat never marks its territoryThis is especially important when keeping a pet in an apartment. With a proper diet and regimen, the cat sheds virtually nothing and doesn't leave hair on the carpet or sofa. This unique beauty gets along well with children and other pets. Walking the cat is also no problem. Like a dog, it can be walked outside on a leash. Most often, the cat assumes the leading role in the family, assigning rank to all other family members. It's important to assertively yet gently let the bobtail know who is in charge during puberty.

How to care for a pet?

Kurilian bobtails, which are now sold on the territory of our country, are very unpretentious in terms of careDue to the lack of a thick undercoat, the animal's coat does not tangle. The cat only needs to be brushed once or twice a week. The owner of a cat like the one in the photo should clearly understand that the cat absolutely cannot stand having its tail touched, even if it happens while being brushed. Kittens absolutely need a place to release their energy through play. Like other cats, bobtails need their ears and eyes cleaned regularly.

Good health of your pet

Due to the peculiarities of the origin of the breed in cats there is no genetic predisposition to various diseasesThe animal is not afraid of either heat or cold. However, people should understand that, like most members of the feline family, the Kurilian Bobtail is susceptible to viral, infectious, and parasitic infections. Despite its excellent health, the cat can become ill even without leaving the apartment. The animal's main enemy is the helminth parasite opisthorchiasis.

Therefore, if you notice any abnormalities in your pet's health, it is important to immediately contact an experienced veterinarian. Additionally, it is important to regularly vaccinate an animal and prophylaxis against helminths and other parasites. A proper diet consisting of high-quality foods is also important. Meat and fish should be cooked thoroughly.

Kittens should be vaccinated between 8 and 12 weeks of age. The first vaccinations are given 2 to 3 months apart, and subsequent vaccinations are given annually. Kittens are not recommended to be vaccinated while teething. Before vaccinations, it is important to take your pet to an experienced veterinarian for a checkup.

Peculiarities of purchasing and breeding the breed

If you've decided to buy an expensive pet, it's important to approach the matter responsibly. Experienced breeders pay particular attention to the characteristics unique to Kurilian Bobtails. Additionally, to avoid emotional trauma to the kitten, you should adhere to certain rules.

• A kitten should not be weaned from its mother cat until it reaches three months of age. At this point, the kitten transitions to regular food, weaning off its mother's milk.
• To ensure a kitten feels comfortable in its new home, a person should take care to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in advance. It's important to purchase all the necessary items for its proper development: a litter box, water and food bowls, and a play area. To prevent damage to upholstered furniture, a special claw sharpener should be purchased.
• It's best to buy a pet from a reputable breeder, whose staff will help you make your choice and offer advice on how to care for your pet. Buying from a breeder means you don't have to worry about being sold a sick animal or one that doesn't meet breed standards. Furthermore, you'll be able to find a pet that matches your personality.

The Kuril breed of cats is very it's difficult to breed correctlyThe main criterion for selecting animals is their tail length. If a cat's tail is between 8 and 12 cm long, she can only be bred with a short-tailed animal, otherwise the breed standards will be violated.

It's best to have your cat mated for the first time before she reaches one and a half years of age. It's important that your pet has had at least two heat cycles beforehand. To ensure a successful mating, the male cat should be brought to the female's territory two days after the onset of heat. Only by following all the mating guidelines will you be able to achieve a successful outcome. strong and healthy offspring, fully compliant with breed standards.

By bringing a Kurilian Bobtail into your home, you'll be able to enjoy daily companionship with this playful and cheerful pet. This loyal animal, in turn, will never disappoint its owner, delighting everyone in the family with its presence.