Longevity
Life expectancy
With an appropriate diet, a stable weight and regular veterinary monitoring, the Pixie-bob often lives 13 to 16 years. Well-monitored indoor individuals frequently exceed this average.
Build
A robust breed?
Its muscular build and woolly coat give it good hardiness. However, it is not a free-roaming outdoor cat: collisions, parasites and road risks remain real. A reasonable selection of size avoids excessive heaviness.
Watch points
What to watch for
Monitor gait, appetite, urination and weight. In very polydactyl subjects, check that the extra claws do not grow in a spiral. Any change in hindquarters mobility warrants veterinary advice.
Weight and joints : The large size and musculature can promote osteoarthritis or locomotor discomfort in case of overweight.
Extra claws : Polydactyly, frequent and accepted, requires monitoring the growth of the additional claws.
Short tail and mobility : A reasonable selection for a short tail aims to avoid the neurological disorders described in other very short-tailed breeds.
Climate
Cold and heat tolerance
The dense coat protects it quite well from the cold, especially in medium-long subjects. It tolerates high heat less well and must have shade and water. Mainly indoor life suits it very well.
Weight
Tendency to gain weight
Males can become heavy if they are too sedentary. Natural muscle mass must not hide excess weight. Weigh regularly and adjust the ration, especially after neutering.
Daily life
Good habits to keep it healthy
- Monitor weight and gait, especially in large males.
- Trim or file the extra claws if they twist.
- Keep vaccinations, deworming treatments, and identification up to date.
Vaccination
Pixie-Bob vaccines: vaccination schedule
Which vaccines for a Pixie-Bob? Like all dogs, the Pixie-Bob receives essential vaccines from 8 weeks old: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. The puppy primary vaccination for Pixie-Bob is given in several injections 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on its lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may complete the protocol with vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary series | First booster | Then | Who for? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All pets |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All pets |
RabiesLifestyle-based Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughLifestyle-based Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisLifestyle-based Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseLifestyle-based Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisLifestyle-based Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Pixie-Bob vaccine boosters are annual for leptospirosis and rabies; for distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often sufficient after the first booster. Your veterinarian will adjust the schedule to your dog’s actual risk.
Which boosters for your Pixie-Bob?
Enter your companion’s age: we list the vaccines to do now and the next boosters.
Adopting well
Adopting a healthy Pixie-Bob
Request a recent clinical examination, identification and, depending on the lineage, a cardiac and renal check. Verify that the short tail is not associated with neurological signs. A serious breeder documents the origins and socialization.
This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace a veterinarian’s advice. If you have any concerns about your pet’s health, consult a professional.
