American bobtails are live for their wild appearance and short bobbed tooshie . These cats make loving , patriotic , and playful favourite . Learn more about owning an American bobtail .

American bobtails are known for their light bobbed tails , rugged visual aspect , and playful personalities . They have been referred to as the " golden retriever " of true cat breeds thanks to theiraffectionate and favorable personality . These cats love to be around humans and have a sweet , gentle nature that make them wonderful familiar .

American bob are a relatively rare strain . Because they ’re deal rarefied , these cats can cost around $ 600–$1,200 from a reputable stock breeder .

white American Bobtail standing in the grass

Angie Selman / EyeEm

Appearance

you could distinguish an American dock by her tail end first and foremost . These cat have a stubby , bobbed tail that ’s only around one - third the distance of a normal cat ’s butt . No two tails are incisively the same , but they ’re usually 1–4 inches long and can be straightforward , kinked , or bumped along the border , harmonise to the strain banner .

The American bobtail is a of course occur cat breed , which shows in their wild , rugged appearance . This strain can be short- orlong - haired , with either impenetrable pelt or long , shaggy coats . These cats come in all semblance and patterns . American bobtails country richly - shedding breedand notconsidered hypoallergenic — in fact , they ’re likely to cause a flare - up in those with allergic reaction .

American bobtails have prominent , deep - place middle that are almond - shaped and can hail in any color . They have long back leg and alarge , athletic bodythat typically weigh between 7–16 pounds . These cats are sometimes slow maturing and can take longer than your typical cat to reach full adulthood , around 2–3 year .

head shot closeup of an tan and black striped American Bobtail

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Temperament

American bobtail are often describe as fresh , warm , and teachable . These favourite make great companions and circuit cats , and theydo well with older kidsandcat - well-disposed pet playmates .

" American bob are known as cat that do more like dogs than cats , " saysSarah Wooten , DVM . " They are very friendly , social , peculiar , good with kids , have awide range of vocal communications , and form deep bail with their humans . "

American bobtails are smarties and need to be maintain mentally and physically dynamic . Do n’t be surprised when he chirps and trills , lease you know he want some one - on - one playday .

cream and black striped American Bobtail laying in front of window

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" Potential owners should be prepared to bring home the bacon a in high spirits tier of enrichment through climbing opportunity , pouncing play , food teaser , toys , training , lot of human interaction and even leash walk , " Wooten suppose . " These cats expect the same tier of attention and exert as a healthy youngbeagle dog . "

More than anything , your American bobtail wants to love you — and receive your love ! If you ’re looking for a genial comrade pet , this breed is a swell fit . These easy felines are idealistic for families .

Living Needs

American bobtails sexual love to be loved and have piles of love to give in proceeds . These odoriferous cats need lots of human interaction anddon’t do well when will alonefor tenacious periods of time . Busy families be aware : Your bobtail will need constant philia . But if you pass a lot of time on the road , the American bobtail travels well andmakes an splendid journey companion .

These social cats get along with pretty much everyone and do n’t mind homes with frequent visitors . In fact , they ’ll probably go off to the door to recognize guests before you do ! Because they crave fundamental interaction , they ’ll strain to make friends with just about anyone — you’ll postulate to keep an eye on your American bobtail to check that he does n’t head outdoors for a meet and greet with less - favorable animals and people . To satisfy your kitten ’s rummy nature and social needs , you could leash - train himand take him on strolls around the neighborhood .

Although they ’re not as active as other breeds , they do have strong , acrobatic bodies . American bobtail have especially powerful hind leg and can jump up to 6 feet . provide your pet witha tall cat treewill give him somewhere dependable and comfy to land when he feels like set out some air .

orange striped American Bobtail standing on wood planks

Jane-Khomi / Getty

Care

preparation need for your American bobtail are fairly dewy-eyed . You ’ll need tobrush this breed once or twice a weekto keep their coat smooth and healthy . check that to regularlytrim your African tea ’s nailsandclean their ears frequentlyas well . Wooten says American bobtailsneed their dentition brusheda duad times a week as well .

Because they ’re so levelheaded , these cats are typically easy to train to do bare tasks likeusing a bedding boxor ascratching place . They can also be trained to act game of fetch and walk on a harness , and ask to be kept mentally engagedwith muckle of interactive toys .

Socialization should be simple with this easygoing breed . American bobtails inaugurate to people and pets early are commonly easy to get along with and welcoming of unfamiliar faces .

black and tan American Bobtail laying on the kitchen counter

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Your American bobtail should be fed a diet of eminent - quality quat solid food recommend by your vet . Be heedful not to overfeed your cat , as it could take to fleshiness .

Health

American bob have a lifespan of 13–15 year and are a relatively healthy stock thanks to their natural development . But , like all cats , Wooten says there are some health issues owners need to keep an eye out for .

" As with all cats , American bobtails are susceptible to obesity and dental disease , and you could go a foresightful way toward preventing disease by just keeping your American bobtail fit and well-kept , feed the highest tone intellectual nourishment you could afford , and keep their tooth glistering and clean , " she says .

exchangeable to another tailless strain , theManx , American bobtails without tails can have spinal or bowel topic .

American Bobtail cat sitting outdoors

Mary McDonald / Shutterstock

" The American bobtail is prone todevelop hip dysplasiawith age , a hereditary disease that has the potential to make lameness andarthritisof the pelvic arch joints,“Kurt Venator , DVM , PhD and Chief Veterinary Officer at Purinasays . " In addition , the tailless American bobtail has been do it to develop a spinal condition that may affect their ability to ascertain laxation . "

Reputable breeders will screen for health issues in your American bobtail kitten , but it ’s significant to have them screen on a regular basis into adulthood , as all cats can rise health conditions as they age .

" honest-to-god American dock are susceptible tokidney diseaseandhyperthyroidism , which are common old computed axial tomography disorders , " Wooten says .

History

The American bobtail we know today begin naturally , with feral domesticated computed tomography born with bobbed tails , harmonize to the Cat Fanciers ' Association . One of the first known instance of attempted breeding was in the 1960s when a holiday couple , John and Brenda Sanders , found a bobtail cat-o'-nine-tails in Arizona and get him mate with their female cat back home in Iowa .

In the late ' LX , experienced breeders began to mate these bobtails from all over the country , working to perfect the American dock breed . Breeders have worked over time to refine the American bob into a companion pet with the coming into court of a furious bob , but a sweeter and more easy temperament .

No pedigreed breeds were used to establish the American bobtail breed . Their wide , natural cistron pool gives these guy their rugged , outdoorsy visual aspect and a hardy resiliency in term of health and posture . The American bobtail is considered a relatively new breed , recognise by the Cat Fanciers ' tie in 2000 .

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