Appearance
Tail length on Japanese Bobtails varies; some have tails as long as four inches. The tails
are curved, however, so they look shorter. The longer the tail, the more rigid and
sensitive it is. As a rule, these cats don't like you to touch their tails!
By far the most popular color is the mi-ke (MEE-kay). In Japan, mi-ke means
three-furred. These tricolored cats are white with brilliant patches of jet black and red.
In shows, the bolder colors and patterns are preferred. Other colors are available, but
are harder to find. Bobtails' eyes can be either gold, green, or blue. Some mi-kes have
odd-colored eyes (one blue and one gold or green). Cats with this coloring are usually
quite expensive.
Short hair is more common than long. Only recently have longhaired Japanese Bobtails
been accepted for exhibition in the United States.
Over the past 20 years, the body type has changed from short and cobby to long and
lean. Japanese Bobtails should have heads that are almost a perfect triangle. Their eyes
should be slanted and oval.
Personality
These sweet cats are outgoing and friendly. They'll leap onto counters and tables, but
they're not really climbers, so your drapes are probably safe. However, Japanese Bobtails
prefer the company of other Japanese Bobtails; they usually don't mix well with other
pets.
History
Japanese Bobtails have existed in Japan for several centuries, where they're thought be
symbols of good luck. Japanese shop owners commonly keep a statue of a Japanese Bobtail in
their windows or on their counters to welcome visitors.
Japanese Bobtails weren't imported into the United States for exhibition (showing)
until the late 1960s.
Health
Unlike some other breeds of cats with short or no tails, the Japanese Bobtail's short tail
isn't a genetic mutation. (In other words, they're supposed to have short tails.)
Therefore Japanese Bobtails don't have the health problems commonly associated with
tailless cats. Normally, Japanese Bobtails are very healthy cats. Bobtail kittens eat more
than most other breeds.
