Variety:
Kuril Bobtail
Country of origin:
Kuril Islands
Colours:
Various coat colours: tawny, bicolour, blue, tabby. Blue and cinnamon are not allowed
Character:
Intelligent, curious, friendly, adaptable, not intrusive, but loves attention. Very active, with a “doggy” character
Weight:
5,7-7,5 kg
Longevity:
years
Other names:
Kurilian bobtail, Kuril bobtail
Litter size:
From 2-3 kittens
The Kurilian bobtail is a naturally evolved cat breed with a distinctive feature of a short tail of about 8 cm. The breed was named after the area in which the cats were found – in the past, these cats were found exclusively in the Kuril Islands, but today they are bred worldwide. Kuril bobtails are extremely affectionate and friendly, they adapt easily to changes in circumstances, and walking around the park on a leash can become one of their favourite activities!
History of the breed
The Kuril Bobtail is not a very old cat breed – it dates back about a century. The breed evolved from an accidental mutation in the genes that led to the cat’s short tail. It is thought that the cats were brought to the Kuril Islands by sailors, and not all travellers returned with them. It has been hypothesised that the ancestors of the Kuril bobtail may have been Japanese tailless cats. The Kuril bobtails first appeared in an exhibition some 20 years ago. The World Cat Federation (WCF) recognised the Kuril Bobtail in 1995 and seven years later the International Cat Federation (Fif‘e) recognised the breed. Although the Kuril Bobtail is currently attracting interest all over the world, most of the breeding of these cats takes place in Russia, where the cats originate.
Kuril Bobtail: appearance
Kuril bobtails have a robust, muscular build. Although these cats do not look out of place from the front, it is their tail that is really striking. The tail of a Kuril bobtail is very similar to that of a rabbit – small, blunt and fluffy. Another distinguishing feature – the hind legs, which are longer than the front legs.This breed has a short body and a taller stature than most of the cat breeds we are familiar with. The weight of the Kuril bobtail usually ranges from 5,7 to 7,5 kg. The head is quite massive, the ears are medium-sized and the eyes are large and almond-shaped. The nose is slightly concave, the eyebrows and whiskers long. The coat of the Kuril Bobtail is almost non-shedding and not prone to dirt accumulation. Cat fanciers are also pleased to note that the Kuril Bobtail does not have any cat-specific odour. The coat varies depending on the island of origin of the Kuril bobtail’s ancestors.The breed can have long or short fur: long-haired cats are characterised by a “collar” and “trousers”, while the short-haired Kuril bobtail has a short, full-bodied coat. The fur of both short-haired and long-haired Kuril bobtails is soft and pleasant to the touch. Various coat colours are allowed: tawny, bicolour, blue, tabby. Blue and cinnamon are not allowed. According to Kuril Bobtail breeders, the true colour of the coat becomes apparent as the cat grows up – as the cat grows up, the coat becomes lighter as the undercoat grows, which affects the colour.
Kuril Bobtail: character
Kuril Bobtails are very friendly and tidy cats who quickly learn the rules of the house and try to follow them. The breed is good with both people and pets, and gets on well with children. Kuril Bobtails adapt very quickly to changing environments and can easily endure travelling.These cats are very comfortable walking on a leash – all seasons are suitable for this. Although very friendly and affectionate, Kuril Bobtails are not intrusive, they know when to demand attention and when it is best to stay away.