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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+6
Cats
# The American Bobtail: temperament, price, health, and breeders
United States
A large gentle and demonstrative cat, recognizable by its naturally short tail.
Size LargeLife expectancy 15–20 yearsBudget ≈ €65/monthKitten €950 – €1,200
[Find a breeder 1](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bobtail) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-cat-breeds?races=american-bobtail)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Which cat is right for you?](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-cat)
Families and children Very good
Daily exercise needs Moderate
Apartment living Excellent
First-time owners Very good
Other pets Very good
Tolerance of being alone Limited
Vocalization Quiet
Strengths and weaknesses
- Very affectionate: He readily seeks closeness with his family and forms close bonds with them.
- Sociable: He generally cohabits well with respectful children and other animals.
- Adaptable: He can thrive in an apartment as well as in a house if his environment is enriched.
- Moderate grooming: His dense coat requires regular brushing but is not very demanding.
- Doesn't tolerate being alone well: Its strong attachment makes long and repeated absences hard to cope with.
- Risk of overweight: Its moderate activity requires a precise ration and daily play.
- Rare breed: Finding a reputable breeder may take time and travel.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Families with plenty of time: Its gentle and playful temperament suits households able to offer it regular interactions.
- Enriched apartment living: It appreciates a calm interior equipped with scratching posts, elevated spaces, and toys.
- Households with animals: Its sociability generally makes cohabitation easier after gradual introductions.
Not recommended for
- People often away: He tolerates prolonged solitude poorly and needs a regular presence.
- Homes without stimulation: A lack of play and enrichment promotes boredom and weight gain.
- Limited acquisition budget: His rarity and the low number of breeders can make his purchase costly.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
27 cmAmerican Bobtail
- Height at the withers
- 23–30 cm
- Weight
- 5–9 kg
- Coat
- Short or semi-long, dense and shaggy
- Origin
- United States
- Grooming
- Easy to care for
## Photos and videos
See the American Bobtail in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The American Bobtail is a recent breed developed in the United States from the mid-1960s. Its history is associated with Yodi, a brown tabby cat with a short tail discovered on an Indian reservation in Arizona by John and Brenda Sanders, then mated with a long-tailed female cat. Several kittens in the litter inherited a short tail. Mindy Shultz then took part in the development and recognition of this new breed, obtained in 1989. Despite its name and its build, the American Bobtail does not descend from the Japanese Bobtail and remains still relatively rare in Europe.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
Medium to large in size, the American Bobtail has a semi-cobby body, muscular, athletic and slightly longer than tall, with a full chest and strong hips. Males are generally more powerful than females. The head is broad, without flat surfaces, with visible jaws, full cheeks, a strong chin, a slightly curved nose and a slight stop. The ears, medium and wide at the base, are open, set fairly low and slightly rounded, sometimes ending in tufts. The large oval eyes are set at an angle and their color often matches the coat. The tail, an essential characteristic of the breed, measures about 2 to 10 cm and never extends beyond the tip of the hock. There is a short-haired variety and another semi-long-haired one. The coat is dense, shaggy and fuller at the ruff, belly, hindquarters and around the tail; the semi-long variety may have tufts between the toes. All colors and all coat patterns are accepted.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Behind its wild appearance, the American Bobtail is a very gentle, demonstrative cat, and deeply attached to its home. Often described as a "cat-dog", it readily seeks the closeness of its humans and can be very present. Playful and curious without being excessively restless, it enjoys interactions, the company of respectful children and, after an appropriate introduction, that of other cats or animals. Its sociable temperament comes with a low tolerance for prolonged solitude.
Affectionate Playful Intelligent Easy to train Sociable
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
The American Bobtail readily alternates play, moderate exploration and long periods of rest near its family. It adapts well to apartment living if its environment includes a cat tree, scratching posts, hiding places, observation points and daily play sessions. A balcony or an outdoor area must be fully secured. Generally not very vocal, it communicates mainly through its presence and its interactions. Its strong attachment requires regular availability and sufficient enrichment when it is left alone.
Training
## Training and socialization
Intelligent, curious and close to humans, the American Bobtail easily learns the household rules with a consistent, gentle method based on reward. Early habituation to brushing, handling the paws, checking the ears, eyes and teeth makes care easier. Search games, treat-dispensing toys and short learning sessions maintain its mental abilities without forcing it.
Budget
## Price and budget for the American Bobtail
The purchase price depends on the lineage, the pedigree, the reputation of the breeding, compliance with the standard and the cat’s intended purpose. The usual annual upkeep is moreover estimated between 300 and 450 euros, excluding exceptional veterinary expenses.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/american-bobtail/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The American Bobtail is generally considered robust and no major hereditary disease specific to the breed has been reported. It must nevertheless benefit from the same preventive care as any cat: vaccination adapted to its lifestyle, antiparasitic treatment, dental check-up and regular veterinary examination. It is not hypoallergenic.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/american-bobtail/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The American Bobtail needs a complete, balanced diet adapted to its size, age, neutering status and activity. Its tendency to lead a calm life requires particular attention to portions in order to prevent excess weight.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/american-bobtail/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
Its naturally short tail varies from one individual to another and constitutes a true morphological signature. Despite its name, the breed has no direct link with the Japanese Bobtail. Its behavior very close to humans, its ease of adaptation and its taste for interactions frequently earn it the nickname "cat-dog".
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the American Bobtail
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the American Bobtail live in an apartment?
Yes. It adapts very well to apartment living if it has an enriched environment, scratching posts, observation points and daily play. Any balcony must be secured.
### Is the American Bobtail hypoallergenic?
No. It produces allergens like other cats and no variety of the breed is considered hypoallergenic.
### Does it get along with children and other animals?
It is generally sociable with respectful children and often accepts other animals when introductions are gradual and everyone has their own resources.
### What grooming does its coat require?
Weekly brushing is generally sufficient outside shedding periods. The frequency can be increased during shedding, especially for the semi-longhaired variety.
## Find a American Bobtail breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most American Bobtail breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### American Bobtail breeders by country
[1 breeder of American Bobtail in Belgium](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bobtail/belgium)
[All breeders of American Bobtail in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bobtail)
## Ready to welcome a American Bobtail?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-american-bobtail)
## Discover other breeds
[American Curl
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/american-curl)
[Japanese Bobtail
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/japanese-bobtail)
[Highland Lynx
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/highland-lynx)
[American Shorthair
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/american-shorthair)
[American Wirehair
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/cat-breed/american-wirehair)
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