Japanese Bobtail

About the breed

The Japanese Bobtail is the only widely recognised breed whose short, pom-pom tail is not the result of injury or human selection for a specific look, but of a natural genetic mutation present in Japan for centuries. No two tails are exactly alike, which is part of the charm of this ancient yet, outside Japan, still fairly uncommon breed.

Japan's lucky cat

Short-tailed cats appear in Japanese paintings and prints dating back to the Middle Ages; they are thought to have reached the islands from China or Korea, possibly as early as the 6th century, and spread widely after 1602, when an imperial edict ordered all cats released onto the streets to protect silkworms and rice stores from rodents. This is the cat behind the well-known maneki-neko, the "beckoning cat" figure with a raised paw, a traditional symbol of luck and prosperity outside Japanese shops and restaurants. The tricolour mi-ke (white, black and red) is considered an especially lucky colour. The breed reached the United States in 1968, brought over by Elizabeth Freret; the CFA recognised the shorthair for championship status in 1976 and the longhair in 1993.

A short tail with no known spinal risk

In 2016, whole-genome sequencing confirmed that a single missense mutation in the HES7 gene is responsible for the short tail. That is an important difference from the better-known tailless Manx: in the Manx, the mutation affects the development of the whole spine and can be linked to serious defects (so-called Manx syndrome), while the HES7 mutation in the Japanese Bobtail has not, based on current evidence, been linked to such risks. The standard calls for a tail no longer than about three inches (7.5 cm), resembling a soft pom-pom or "bunny tail" made up of one or more curves, angles or kinks; the direction it points in does not matter.

Appearance and coat

The body is medium-sized, slender and muscular, with none of the Persian's cobbiness - males are typically somewhat larger than females. The hind legs are noticeably longer than the front ones, giving the cat its characteristic, slightly bouncy gait. The head forms an almost equilateral triangle, with high cheekbones and a long, straight nose. The coat can be short or long; either way it is soft and silky with little undercoat, which keeps grooming relatively simple. Nearly every colour and pattern is accepted, from solids to the tricolour mi-ke.

Temperament

The Japanese Bobtail is lively, curious and strongly attached to people - many owners compare it to a dog, since it readily learns to fetch objects and respond to its name. It is also notably vocal and "chatty," with a wide range of tones that can sound almost like singing. It generally gets along well with children and other pets, including dogs.

Care and exercise

Because the short or medium-length coat has little undercoat, grooming is not demanding - weekly brushing is usually enough, a little more often for the longhair variety. Mental and physical stimulation matter far more: this is one of the more active, intelligent cat breeds, and it needs play, climbing space and interactive toys, or it can become restless or destructive.

Health

The Japanese Bobtail is considered one of the most genetically diverse pedigree cat breeds, which generally means fewer inherited disorders than in narrowly bred lines, and kitten mortality is comparatively low next to other breeds. No breed-specific inherited disease is currently documented in the scientific literature, though that does not exempt it from the routine veterinary care any cat needs.

Who it suits

This breed suits active households that want a social, playful and "talkative" cat and can offer enough play and climbing opportunities. Its low grooming needs and generally robust health also make it a reasonable choice for a first-time cat owner, though anyone hoping for a quiet cat may be surprised by how much it has to say.

Pros & cons