Introduction
A tailless or short-tailed cat breed refers to a domestic cat that either has a very short tail or no tail at all. There are several naturally occurring tailless or bobtailed breeds, meaning the trait arose naturally versus being bred intentionally. Most tailless cat breeds originated in Asia, with the exception of the Manx which comes from the Isle of Man.
Tailless cats make great pets and companions. While they may look different than other cats, they generally do not suffer from health problems related to their lack of tail. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular tailless cat breeds and discuss their history, characteristics, and temperaments.
Manx
The Manx is a breed of domestic cat originating on the Isle of Man in the British Isles. Manx cats are known for their distinctive short, stubby tails. According to the Manx Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, references to tailless cats on the Isle of Man date back to the early 1700s.
It is believed that the Manx breed originated from mainland stock of cats that came across on trading ships. Selective breeding over the years resulted in the modern Manx breed we know today. The dominant gene that causes the shortened tail is thought to have originated as a random mutation in the island’s native cat population.
In addition to their short or missing tails, Manx cats tend to have rounded heads, round eyes, medium-length fur, and muscular, stocky bodies. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs, giving them a continuous arched back from shoulders to rump. Manx cats exhibit a range of temperaments and personalities. They are known to be social, tame and active cats that get along well with children and other pets.
Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail has a long history in Japan, dating back centuries. Some sources cite the breed originating as early as the 6th century. The breed frequently appears in traditional Japanese folklore and art 1. Japanese Bobtails are believed to be derived from cats that arrived from China and then Korea before becoming established in Japan 2.
The Japanese Bobtail is a medium-sized cat with a distinctive short, bobbed tail that is usually curved or kinked. They have a triangular shaped head and high cheekbones. Their coat can come in many colors and patterns and is soft and silky. The back legs are typically longer than the front legs giving them a unique gait when they walk.
The Japanese Bobtail is an intelligent, active, and friendly breed. They bond very closely with their human families and enjoy interacting with their owners. The breed tends to be talkative and energetic. They are often described as dog-like in their loyalty and ability to learn tricks. Despite their energy, they are generally not destructive.
American Bobtail
The American Bobtail is a relatively new breed of domestic cat that originated in the 1960s. According to Wikipedia, the breed was developed by John and Brenda Sanders after a natural bobtail cat wandered onto their farm in Arizona. They were intrigued by the cat’s wild appearance and short tail and began selectively breeding cats with the same traits.
The American Bobtail has a medium-sized body with slightly longer rear legs, giving it a unique gait. Its most distinctive feature is its stubby tail that is about 1/3 to 1/2 the length of a normal cat’s tail. The breed has shaggy fur that comes in many colors and patterns. They have a rectangular head, high cheekbones, and large eyes that give them a wild, exotic look.
According to The Spruce Pets, the American Bobtail has a friendly, intelligent, and adaptable personality. They bond strongly with their human families and get along well with children and other pets. They are active and playful cats that enjoy climbing, fetch, and interactive play. While they can be talkative, they are generally not overly vocal. Overall, the American Bobtail makes an excellent family pet.
Kurilian Bobtail
The Kurilian Bobtail is a breed of cat originating from the Kuril Islands in Russia’s Far East. These islands stretch between the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Japanese island of Hokkaido. The Kurilian Bobtail developed naturally in this remote area over hundreds of years. Sailors, soldiers, and traders likely helped spread the cats through the islands.
This natural breed is well adapted to the harsh climate and isolated conditions of the Kuril Islands. They have a dense, water-resistant double coat that comes in many colors and patterns. They are medium-sized cats with a bobbed tail about one-third to one-half the length of a normal cat tail.
Kurilian Bobtails are active, intelligent cats. They are playful, affectionate, and loyal to their families. Despite their independent nature, they enjoy being around people. They are curious and like to follow their owners around the house. While lively and energetic as kittens, they become more calm and gentle as adults.
The Kurilian Bobtail was granted championship status by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 2006. They remain a rare breed, even in Russia. But those who own these cats praise them as wonderful pets with a wild spirit (source). Their loving personality and low-maintenance coat make them an ideal house cat.
Highlander
The Highlander cat originated in the early 1990s as a cross between the Desert Lynx and the Jungle Curl breeds. Breeder Joe Childress wanted to combine the Desert Lynx’s appearance with the Jungle Curl’s curled ears, so he crossed the two breeds to create the Highlander (“Highlander cat”).
The Highlander has a muscular, athletic build with a medium-length coated. It typically weighs 8-15 pounds. Its most distinctive feature is its curled back ears, inherited from the Jungle Curl parentage. Highlanders can have nearly any coat color and pattern. Their eyes are almond-shaped and tilted, creating a unique expression.
Highlanders are intelligent, active cats that enjoy playing and interacting with their owners. They are sociable and affectionate, often following their owners around the house. Due to their athleticism, Highlanders need a good amount of exercise and playtime. They have a lot of energy and curiosity and enjoy exploring their surroundings (“Highlander Facts – Wisdom PanelTM Cat Breeds”).
Mekong Bobtail
The Mekong Bobtail is a relatively new breed of cat that originated in Thailand in the late 20th century. As the name suggests, these cats are characterized by their short, bobbed tails.
The Mekong Bobtail was developed by crossing the local cats of Thailand, which had natural bobbed tails, with the Siamese cat. The original purpose was to breed cats with the Siamese coloration and blue eyes, but with a naturally short tail. The breeding program began in the 1980s by breeders in Thailand.
These cats have a medium-sized muscular build and weigh 5-10 pounds as adults. They have a short coat that can come in a variety of colors and patterns, including the Siamese pointed pattern. The Mekong Bobtail’s most distinguishing feature is its short tail, which is only 1-3 inches long. The tail can be straight, hooked, or kinked. According to ICATCare.org, the gene causing the short tail is incomplete dominant, so kittens born with normal length tails may occur in some litters.
The Mekong Bobtail is an intelligent, playful, and active breed. They are affectionate and loyal cats that enjoy interacting with their human families. Their energetic nature means they need interactive toys and play time. They also do well with other pets when properly socialized. Despite their working cat origins, they adapt well to indoor living.
Pixie-Bob
The Pixie-bob is a relatively new breed of domestic cat that originated in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States in the 1980s. The breed was developed by breeder Carol Ann Brewer, who claimed that naturally occurring pixie-bob cats were the result of matings between domestic cats and wild bobcats. However, DNA testing has failed to detect bobcat markers in pixie-bobs, so their origins remain undocumented.
Pixie-bobs are medium to large in size and are distinguished by their wild physical appearance. They have a rugged, muscular build with broad chests, heavily-boned legs, and polydactyl paws. Their most defining feature is their short bobbed tail, which can range from fully articulated to a few inches long. Pixie-bobs have thick, shaggy coats that can come in a variety of colors and patterns. The ears are wide-set and have rounded tips.
The pixie-bob is known for its dog-like qualities. They are highly intelligent, social, and loyal to their families. Pixie-bobs thrive on human interaction and are very playful and energetic. They also exhibit dog-like behaviors like playing fetch, leash walking, and chirping noises. Their temperament tends to be gentle yet lively.
Skookum
The Skookum cat breed originated in the 1990s in the United States. Roy Galusha, a breeder from Washington state, developed the breed with the goal of creating a cat with short legs and a curly coat.[1]
To develop the Skookum breed, Galusha bred Munchkin cats, which have short legs due to a genetic mutation, with LaPerm cats, which have a curly coat. The resulting kittens exhibited the desired traits of both parent breeds – short legs and a curly coat.[2]
In terms of appearance, Skookum cats are medium in size and have a muscular, solid body build. Their most distinctive features are their short legs, which are around 2/3 the length of an average cat’s legs, and their soft, wavy or curly coat. The coat comes in many colors and patterns. These cats have a rounded head, large eyes and medium-sized ears.[3]
Skookum cats have energetic, friendly personalities. They are highly intelligent and very social. They enjoy playing games and learning tricks. They get along well with other pets when properly socialized. Skookums have soft voices and display confidence without being demanding. They make wonderful family companions when provided with adequate playtime and interaction.[1]
The Skookum is considered a rare breed and there are only a few breeders worldwide, mostly located in North America. While the breed is not formally recognized by cat breed registries yet, enthusiasts are working to establish the Skookum cat as an official breed.[2]
Conclusion
There are several breeds of cats that are born without tails due to genetic mutations. The most well-known tailless breeds include the Manx, Japanese Bobtail, American Bobtail, Kurilian Bobtail, Highlander, and Pixie-Bob. While less common, the Mekong Bobtail and Skookum are also naturally occurring tailless breeds.
Most tailless cat breeds originated on islands, where the genetic mutations that cause taillessness became concentrated in the population. Being tailless was likely beneficial for the island cats by reducing risk of injury. Today, the tailless breeds make wonderful pets known for being intelligent, athletic and sociable.
While they lack tails, these breeds have charming personalities. Their calm, friendly temperaments endear them to many cat lovers worldwide. Though unusual in appearance, tailless cats are affectionate, playful and devoted pets.
