JAPANESE BOBTAIL: RARE, SOCIABLE, AND INQUISITIVE

Long haired Japanese Bobtails exist in very small numbers due to the long-hair gene being masked in longhair and short-hair breeding.  This problem would lead to serious levels of inbreeding, were breeders to attempt producing more long-haired cats of this breed.  In the long-haired version of the Japanese Bobtail, the short tail looks like a short fluffy pom pom, and does not carry spinal or bone birth defects with it (Bruce Fogle, DVM, CATalog). 

APPEARANCE

The Japanese Bobtail has gentle curves and high cheekbones, and a face that is triangular in shape.  Odd eyes are prized in this breed, especially in the tortie and white coat pattern.  The eyes are large and oval in shape, with a definite slant when viewed from the side.  The ears are upright, large, and set wide apart, and the head is broad, with a noticable whisker break and gentle dip at the cat's eye level.  The body is muscular, long, straight, and slender, and the tail is a short, straight or curly pom pom, for which the cat gets its name.  Japanese Bobtail legs are long and slender, but by no means dainty.

BREED HISTORY

Both long and short haired Japanese Bobtails have been around in Japanese culture for many years, and are portrayed in Japanese art throughout the last three centuries.  The long-haired breed is actually a natural variant of the short-haired breed.  Documented records of the breeding history of these cats did not occur until 1968 when the short-haired cats were brought to the United States, carrying the long haired gene with them.  The short haired version is very common in North America at this point, and the long haired breed is becoming more common; however, the long-haired breed is still not recognized in Britain.

PERSONALITY AND CHARACTERISTICS

Japanese Bobtail Cats are active, vocal and gregarious.  They require little grooming, and their temperament has been described as vibrantly alert.  They weigh from 6 to 9 pounds (2.5-4kg).