American Bobtail

What does a American Bobtail look like?

The tail is the giveaway: short, flexible and often held up, about one third to one half the length of a normal cat's tail. The body is solid and muscular with long hind legs, and the coat is often a shaggy brown tabby that adds to the wild look. The eyes are wide-set under a heavy brow, which gives the breed its 'hunting' stare.

American Bobtail personality

American Bobtails are often described as dog-like. Many learn to walk on a leash, play fetch and travel calmly. They are steady, people-oriented cats that adapt well to new places.

How to care for a American Bobtail

A weekly brush is enough for the short coat, twice a week for the shaggy one. Like any big, clever cat, it needs play and puzzle feeders to stay content.

How do I know if my cat is a American Bobtail?

Many cats have short tails because of an injury, a kink or a mixed Manx ancestor. A true American Bobtail combines the natural bobtail with a big, muscular body and a wild tabby look. Our scanner often reads bobtailed tabbies as house cats, and it is right more often than not.

A photo can only tell you what your cat looks like. Pedigree papers from a breeder, or a cat DNA test, are the only ways to prove a breed. For a quick first answer, upload a photo to our free cat breed identifier. It compares your cat with 31 breeds and the ordinary house cat and shows the three closest matches.