American Bobtail
The wild-looking, dog-like cat with a short tail
The American Bobtail came from a short-tailed stray found in Arizona in the 1960s, who was bred with a Siamese. Breeders developed the line to keep the short tail and the “wild” look, which has no connection to bobcats. The short tail comes from a natural gene change.
It is a rare breed, known for being sociable and dog-like.
American Bobtail at a glance
- Origin
- USA
- Size
- Medium to large
- Weight
- Usually 3 to 7 kg
- Lifespan
- Often 13 to 15 years
- Coat
- Short or long, dense and shaggy
- Colours
- Any colour, often brown tabby
Personality scorecard
- Energy
- 3 out of 5
- Affection
- 4 out of 5
- Chattiness
- 2 out of 5
- Grooming needed
- 2 out of 5
- Good with children
- 5 out of 5
- Good with other pets
- 5 out of 5
Our own rough guide. Every cat is different.
What they look like
A medium to large, muscular cat with a broad head, a wedge-shaped face, heavy brows, almond eyes and a short, bobbed tail, around a third to half the length of a normal tail. The coat is shaggy and dense, in short and long versions, and often a brown tabby.
Personality
Friendly, clever and sociable. American Bobtails are known for walking on a lead, playing fetch and getting on with children and dogs. They are playful but not hyper, and bond closely with their families.
Care and grooming
Brush weekly (a couple of times a week for long-haired cats). Provide play, climbing and company. Measure meals, and keep up with dental checks, and ask your vet to check the spine and tail.
Health to know about
Generally robust. As with any short-tailed cat, it is worth having the spine and tail checked, and it is a rare breed, so ask breeders about health testing and the parents’ relatedness. Hip problems have been reported in some lines.
Could suit
- Families with children and dogs
- People who like walking a cat on a lead
- Homes with space to play
Think twice if
- If you want a widely available breed
- If you want a lap-only cat
- If you want a very small cat
“Short tail, long list of tricks.”
Compare the American Bobtail
Name ideas for a American Bobtail
- Bobby
- Yodie
- Arizona
- Dusty
- Sage
- Cactus
- Rusty
- Cooper
- Maverick
- Tex
Want more? Try the cat name generator, or find out their age in human years with the cat age calculator.
Questions people ask
Is an American Bobtail part bobcat?
No. The wild look is from domestic cat genes.
Can American Bobtails walk on a lead?
Many can learn to, with gentle training.
Are American Bobtails the same as Manx?
No. They have different genes, and the Manx gene can cause spinal problems, which is not known to be the case in the American Bobtail, though a vet check is still wise.
Are American Bobtails rare?
Yes, especially outside the USA.
Other breeds to meet
This is a friendly overview, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your own cat.
