Kurilian Bobtail Cat Breed Description

Active: The Kurilian Bobtail cat breed has a moderate to high activity level. They are playful and energetic but not incredibly demanding or aggressive about it. They love to play and be challenged but are affectionate and laid back as well

Size: The Kurilian Bobtail cat breed is medium to large in size. Compact and muscular, they typically weigh anywhere from 8 to 15 pounds.

Characteristics: Kurilian Bobtail cats have very unique appearances and each one has their own features that set them apart. They all have a "wildcat" look, giving the impression that they should be out prowling the jungle somewhere. Their coat comes in a wide range of different colors and can be solid or spotted. Accepted colors include red, grey, bobcat stripes, silver highlights, calico, tri-color, and bi-color so each can will be distinctly set apart from their peers in appearance.

One of their most well-known and distinctive features is their short, bushy, bobbed tail that can be anywhere from 5 - 13 centimeters long and can be a variety of shapes including that look like a whisk, a spiral, or a snag. Their body is large, compact and quite muscular. They have a broad chest with powerful legs making them capable of astonishing physical feats. Their heads are somewhat wedge-shaped but with rounded contours that soften their appearance. Their small oval eyes have a sort of walnut shape that and the beautiful gaze of these gorgeous cats will draw you in and make you fall in love.

Temperament: Kurilian Bobtail cats may look like they have been plucked right out of the wild but they make a wonderful addition to any home. They have a high energy level and love of play that is infectious and fun. While they are energetic they are also patient and gentle during play so they are a great family pet because they get along with children of all ages and other animals. Their strong, muscular bodies along with their inquisitive nature and intelligence allows them to easily entertain themselves with play, toys, games and exploration and makes them a laid back cat compared to other breeds who may be more demanding of their human's time. Make no mistake, these high energy cats still love affection and attention and will be more than happy to curl up with you while you give them a belly rub or pet their soft coat. One interesting note about the Kurilian Bobtail - unlike most cat breeds, they actually enjoy to swim in the water which provides another source of entertainment and physical activity for them.

Care: The coat of the Kurilian Bobtail does not easily mat so routine brushing or combing will keep their beautiful coat looking fantastic. While they will do a good job cleaning themselves they will need occasional nail trimming and ear cleaning.

Coat: Kurilian Bobtail cats have coats there are very thick, soft and beautiful. They can be either long or short and feel quite silky to the touch.

Origin: Kurilian Bobtail cats are a natural breed of cat that originated on its own without the assistance of breeders. Additional members of the Kurilian Bobtail cat breed have been found on neighboring islands Sakhalin and Kamchatka. Cats with a similar description have been around for hundreds of years and according to documents military scientists brought back cats with short tails to Russia in the middle of the 20th century, but the history of the Kurilian Bobtail cat breed as we know it today begins in the 1980s. While the breed is quite popular in Europe, there are still not many Kurilian Bobtail cats in North America - only approximately 100 cats or so! But, the breed is gradually gaining interest and in 1995 the World Cat Federation recognized the breed, then the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFE), and most recently, in 2012 TICA awarded the breed Championship Status.