The Kurilian Bobtail is a rare breed of domestic cat. Features of character and care

History of the Kurilian Bobtail breed

The Kuril Islands (namely the southern part of the archipelago) are a stumbling block between two powers: Japan and Russia.
The ownership of these lands was repeatedly disputed until the Kuril Islands came under the wing of the Russian Federation. Along with the territory, the state also secured the right to be considered the homeland of one of the most remarkable and unique breeds in the world. According to the point of view of most felinologists, Kuril bobtails descended from short-tailed cats that inhabited the archipelago at least since the 18th century. Their ancestors were presumably wild and were the result of a union between Japanese Bobtails and Siberian cats. The history of the appearance of these breeds on the Kuril Islands is no less interesting.

Ancient beliefs of the Land of the Rising Sun say that Japanese bobtails were considered a symbol of good luck and therefore were overly patronized by local residents. In addition, these animals had a sacred origin: their ancestors were considered to be the white temple cats that guarded the shrines of the Buddha's followers. Some bobtails came to the archipelago with the Japanese as part of research or military expeditions. They were often used as guards on imperial farms where fur-bearing animals were bred. Obeying instincts and wanting to escape from the “golden cage”, many cats escaped into the wild. After several generations, Japanese bobtails acquired new features, trying to adapt to harsh living conditions: the fear of water disappeared, the claws stopped retracting into the paw pads, and their owners became larger in size.

As for Siberian cats, they came to the Kuril Islands along with settlers. The animals easily made friends with the feral “Japanese”, and as a result of this union a new breed arose, now known as the Kuril Bobtail.

It is worth noting that the selection of these animals did not begin immediately. Despite the relatively long-standing appearance of the breed, felinologists paid attention to it only at the end of the 20th century. Up until this point, breeders visited the Kuril Islands and left with bobtails, mistaking them for their Japanese counterparts. Back then, no one imagined that charming short-tailed creatures were something new in the already rich cat world. However, since 1991 everything has changed.

It was then that new representatives of the breed were brought from the Kuril Islands. In October, the first standard of the Kuril Bobtail was adopted, and the Soviet Felinological Organization (SFO) played an important role in this. Tatyana Bocharova, observing the selection of cats, came to the conclusion that a short tail is inherited by all animals, which meant the absence of any anomalies in their development. Having registered the “Kurilians” as an independent breed, the Siberian Federal District has set itself a new task - to achieve similar recognition among European felinologists.

December 1994 was marked by a seminar at which Russian breeders put forward a proposal to refine the standard of the Kuril Bobtail breed with a view to its recognition by the international organization WCF. The official registration of short-tailed cats took place only a year later, which provoked a sudden outbreak of European interest in the unusual breed. Increasingly, cat shows began to be held in Italy, Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic, with Kurilian bobtails being frequent guests. By that time, nurseries had already appeared that specialized in breeding two varieties of the breed: long-haired and short-haired. At the same time, the first category was divided into individuals with long and semi-long coats.

In 2001, the felinological association of CIS clubs further clarified the standard at a coordination meeting, but it remained unchanged. This prompted the felinological organization FIFe to officially register the breed three years after this event. In 2012, the Kurilian Bobtail firmly established itself in the lists of the American TICA association.

The mid-90s became a turning point in the fate of representatives of the breed. From 1995 to this day, Kurilian bobtails have been “capturing” more and more territories, winning the hearts of people. These cats are valued in many European countries for their gentleness and good nature, but in their historical homeland, bobtails are popular mainly among hunters and fishermen - largely due to the excellent instincts of the animals. However, this breed is still not as popular as the beloved British, Persian or Siamese cats.

The most common diseases of bobtail dogs

A predisposition to a disease does not mean that every bobtail will suffer from it. Closely monitor your pet's condition and activity. If you see something wrong in your pet's behavior, it is best to contact a veterinarian.

The following diseases are not common in the breed, but they can occur:

• Ophthalmic diseases.
• Hip dysplasia. This is an inherited condition in which the hip bone does not fit tightly into the hip joint. In some dogs it causes pain and lameness in one or both back legs, but in other dogs it may not cause any discomfort. X-rays are the most accurate way to diagnose the problem.
• Skin diseases.
• Elbow dysplasia. It is thought to be caused by abnormal growth and development, resulting in a weakened joint. The disease varies in severity: the dog may develop arthritis or become lame. Treatment includes surgery, weight control, medical supervision, and anti-inflammatory medications.
• Anterior cruciate ligament disease.

Appearance of the Kurilian Bobtail

Representatives of the breed have a very contrasting appearance. The squat stature hides developed and strong muscles, which allow animals to make huge jumps. Kurilian bobtails are distinguished by a high degree of sexual dimorphism: males are several times larger than males. So, their mass is 7.5 and 4-5 kg, respectively.

The Kurilian Bobtail is a medium-sized breed. The heritage of wild ancestors can be equally traced in the appearance of individuals of both categories of the breed - long-haired and short-haired.

Head and skull

The head has the shape of an equilateral triangle, the outlines of which are softly rounded (this is especially visible when the animal stands in profile). In adult bobtails, it looks more like a trapezoid, and this is due to the cheeks with defined and full “pads” for the whiskers. The skull is flat.

Muzzle

The Kurilian Bobtail has a rather wide and rounded muzzle. The stop is indicated only formally and is practically not noticeable. The flat forehead goes into a straight and wide nose of medium length. His lobe is well defined. The strong chin is developed and has smooth outlines, noticeable in profile. The animal's cheekbones are not as low as those of their Siberian counterparts.

Ears

Medium-sized triangles are set high and quite wide. In this case, the distance between them corresponds to the width of the base of the ear, but in no case can it be less. The tips are softly rounded. Long-haired Kuril Bobtails wear a “decoration” on them in the form of small tassels, giving the animals an even greater resemblance to a lynx.

Eyes

They are shaped like a nut: oval at the top and slightly rounded at the bottom. They are notable for the fact that they are slanted in an oriental manner, and this gives the animal’s look an exquisite mystery. The eyes are set quite wide and “lie” on a line that runs from the nose to the base of the ears. The pigmentation of the iris is predominantly yellow or green; In two-colored and white animals, blue is found. In general, the standard also provides for a discrepancy between the eye color and the color of the bobtail.

Jaws and teeth

The presence of strong jaws is due to the lifestyle of the feral ancestors of the breed. Existing in the wild, cats were forced to get their own food. Pincer bite; complete dental formula. It consists of incisors, canines, premolars and molars.

Neck

Not long enough, strong muscles can be felt under thin skin. Due to the thick coat, she appears plump.

Frame

The Kurilian Bobtail has a dense and strong body, which at any moment is ready to demonstrate flexibility unexpected for an animal. Muscles do not burden the appearance of the cat. The body has an elongated shape. The chest is developed, the back line has an arched bend. The animal's croup is slightly raised.

Tail

The Kurilian Bobtail is notable for its short and slightly curved tail, which rises above the line of the back. Its length varies between 3-8 cm, but in long-haired individuals it can reach 13 cm. There are four types of animal tail.

• The “stump” consists of deformed vertebrae (no more than eight) firmly connected to each other. It can be straight or slightly curved down like a hook.
• The “spiral” includes 5-10 vertebrae. This type of tail is one of the most characteristic of the breed.
• The “panicle” consists of the same number of vertebrae as the “spiral”. It has a straight shape, one-third the length of a regular tail.
• The "retracted bobtail" includes 5-7 vertebrae, the line of which twists into an improvised loop near the end of the tail. Considered a breed defect.

The shape of the pompom is not regulated by the standard. His grooming is acceptable and even preferable.

Limbs

The hind limbs of the bobtail are not much longer than the front ones. Rendered muscles are the main reason for the phenomenal jumping ability of animals. Compact paws have a rounded shape, the toes are tightly clenched. The claws do not retract and when in contact with the surface they make a clicking sound, more characteristic of dogs than of cats.

Coat

The type of coat of a “Kurilets” depends on its belonging to a certain type of breed.

• The shorthaired bobtail has fine, short hair. It is permissible to increase its length on the tail, as well as on the back and lower sides of the animal’s body.
• The long-haired bobtail, as the name suggests, has long or medium-length hair. As with its short-haired counterpart, this Kurilian Bobtail has longer hair on the underside and rear of the body. In addition, he is notable for his “collar”, “pants” and lynx tassels on the tips of his ears.

Both varieties of the breed have a thick undercoat.

Color

The Kurilian Bobtail is notable for the fact that its color can be almost anything. The most common options are smoky, tabby (tabby), bi- and tricolor. The breed standard does not recognize Burmesse, Abyssinian, lilac and chocolate colors.

Possible defects

Among the defects of the Kuril Bobtail breed are:

• forelimbs of insufficient length;
• deep-set and/or bulging eyes;
• excessively short or long tail;
• pronounced bend of the back line;
• pointed tips of the ears;
• high set cheekbones;
• lack of undercoat;
• elongated body;
• narrowed head.

Disqualifying defects include:

• short tail without bends or kinks;
• tail exceeding 13 cm in length;
• undescended testicles;
• erosion of the mucous membrane in the anal area;
• spinal deformity;
• amputated claws;
• absence of a tail;
• deafness.

Description of the breed

Externally, Kurilian Bobtails look like quite large animals. But in reality they are not very large, but their body is muscular and powerful. Their croup is raised and their back is slightly arched, but the body of the animal does not look rough. The shape of this cat's head is similar to a triangle, the rounded sides of which are equal in length. A smooth transition from the nose to the forehead is noticeable. A characteristic feature of the “Kuriles” are low cheekbones, but at the same time they have very plump cheeks. Also, their muzzle is decorated with a powerful, not elongated chin and a straight nose. The ears are set wide and open at the base and are of medium size. The eyes, set at a not very large angle, look slightly slanted, and there is no convexity. As a rule, the eyes are colored greenish-yellow and blend perfectly with the coat color.

The front legs are slightly shorter than the hind legs, but they are all very powerful and have a rounded shape. The short, short tail has the creases and bends characteristic of this breed. It can reach 50–80 millimeters in length. This type of tail is also often called a “pompom”, since the hair on other parts of the body is somewhat shorter than on it.

Short-haired "Kurils" have thin, soft and short hair, with a very thick undercoat. In the lower part of the body, as well as in the back, the hair is longer than on other parts of the body. At the same time, semi-long-haired individuals also have thin hair, but it is denser and longer. The furry tail and collar on the neck and chest of the animal look very impressive.

Any bobtail color is recognized, but not pure chocolate, lilac or tricolor. At the same time, bicolor is permissible only if the ancestor of a particular individual is a purebred Kuril Bobtail. Most often, such animals have a spectacular brindle color. At the same time, on the sides the stripes are located vertically, but along the entire length of the body (from the tail to the head) - horizontally. The spotted “smok” is especially popular among Russians, because it is very similar to a lynx not only in its body shape and “chopped off” tail, but also in its coloring.

It’s interesting that Russian famous actresses and actors are increasingly keeping bobtails in their homes. For example, E. Proklova decided to acquire an individual belonging to one of the breeds that appeared quite recently - the Russian aboriginal. Proklova's cute red cat's name is Arseny. And Ishcheeva named her bicolor bobtail cat Zosya. TV presenter Krylov lives at home with a cute striped Rysik. And in V. Talyzina’s house you can find a relatively large number of a wide variety of “smokes”.

Character traits

Taking a good look at the Kuril Bobtails, you can understand that these beautiful cats are very similar to dogs. They become strongly attached to their owner and show boundless devotion. At the same time, they are not averse to communicating or having fun with a person. “Kuriles” never get bored; they are constantly busy with something: finding interesting games for themselves or hunting. Just like dogs, such cats are able to very quickly remember a variety of commands. They try to accompany their owner always and everywhere and even sleep next to him, as if guarding him all the time. This is why bobtails are often perceived as intelligent, very loyal and courageous dogs in cat form.

Interestingly, any cat has the ability to improve human well-being. However, in bobtails this healing power is incredibly powerful. That is why they can very quickly eliminate severe headaches, relieve stress, and can also help with heart palpitations.

Among other things, these cats simply adore water. Therefore, in the summer it will be very easy for you to wash your pet of dirt, since he himself will be happy to splash around in the water, especially in the heat. Bobtails also differ from other purebred cats in that they need regular and fairly long bathing, since their fur gets wet very poorly. Bob-tailed cats inherited this feature from their ancestors living on the Kuril Islands. The climate there is very damp, so the Kurils' wool is waterproof. If water gets on it, it gradually flows down, while the wool remains almost dry.

This incredibly smart cat is perfect for any apartment. Unlike its relatives, it has absolutely no specific odor, does not mark its territory, and sheds infrequently. Even allergy sufferers can become their owners, because people are never allergic to them. They love to have fun with small children and never offend them, and also get along well with dogs. They start walking relatively late. Only individuals older than 2 years become untied, and no more than 4 kittens are born at a time.

Character of the Kurilian Bobtail

In contrast to the external resemblance to a wild and unapproachable lynx, representatives of the breed are distinguished by genuine friendliness and affability. This significantly speeds up the bond between cats and new owners. The Kurilian Bobtail will not sit, frowning, under the chest of drawers and snort irritably in response to your attempts to get it out of its temporary hiding place. On the contrary: these animals love to communicate and actively get involved in joint games with family members. “Kurilians” are often called dogs in a cat’s body, since they happily bring toys and balls thrown by the deft hand of the owner.

By the way, the Kuril Bobtail develops a very tender relationship with its family. For representatives of this breed, there is nothing more important than loved ones who give them sincere love and care. The animal will protect the family in which it lives exclusively “like a dog”: taking a menacing stance and meowing in warning. At the same time, the bobtail will especially take care of one person, whom he considers his master. If you managed to occupy this honorable pedestal in the furry guard’s heart, the pet will follow on your heels, communicating in its own language and taking all possible part in your life.

Kurilian Bobtails are ideal for families with children. An animal will never intentionally scratch a baby, but, on the contrary, will bestow excessive “mustached” care on him. The “Kurilets” will not show aggression even if a child accidentally pulls its tail or ear. Instead of hissing and being offended all day long, a bobtail will happily involve your child in a game of hide and seek or demonstrate a recently learned trick that will certainly cause sincere children's laughter.

Representatives of the breed get along well with other pets. Cat or dog – it doesn’t matter: the Kurilian Bobtail will find a common language with both the serious Maine Coon and the playful Dachshund. However, it is strictly not recommended to keep ornamental birds and rodents in the same house as a bobtail. A hunting instinct that awakens at the wrong time can turn into a tragedy, and your attachment to an animal can turn into grief for a lost feathered or furry friend.

Along with being meek and good-natured, this breed is distinguished by its willful and independent character - this is what many owners of Kuril Bobtails say. Animals do not like to sit in your arms for a long time, pretending to be a plush toy, and will soon try to leave the heated place. In the absence of proper attention from the owner, the “smokers” begin to live by their own rules and soon consider themselves the rightful owners of the territory, namely your apartments. At the same time, overthrowing the short-tailed usurper will not be easy. Even the slightest glimmer of success will soon turn into defeat for you: the pet will begin to protest. Damaged things, torn blinds or curtains, an overturned sugar bowl - and the Kurilian Bobtail’s vendetta will not be limited to this.

Do you think that your pet is overly lazy and less and less involved in games? Take a day off from work and go with your animal to the country, where it will appear before you in a completely different form. A dexterous hunter will in the blink of an eye displace the domestic bumpkin from the Kuril Bobtail. In the fresh air, representatives of the breed are especially active: they track prey for several hours without closing their eyes; fight with neighbor cats for free territory; they poke their curious nose into every remote corner of the house, emitting a purring sound reminiscent of bird trills.

Character

By nature, Kurilian Bobtails are independent and self-sufficient, self-confident and balanced cats. Mutual respect and communication with them on equal terms is the key to friendly and warm relations.

Psychological picture

Bobtails have a very strong psyche, they are fearless, calmly tolerate loneliness and are rarely aggressive or timid. They are gentle and affectionate with family members; they will show indifference to strangers. Kuriles are smart and clean. In rare cases, there will be problems in communication and maintenance with them. In addition, they are very smart, very soon the pet will answer you in its own cat language, which you can understand perfectly. Representatives of this breed are loyal, affectionate and charming. Due to their wild origin, bobtails are excellent hunters and sometimes even fishermen. If you decide to get a Kuril Bobtail, you must be prepared for the fact that in the house he will be the leader among other animals.

Little kittens are very playful and curious, often playing pranks. They require a lot of attention, love and care. As they grow up, they become calmer, more thoughtful and, to some extent, lazy.

Cohabitation with other animals

The Kuril Islands are not aggressive and calm by nature, but they will not give up their territory to anyone. In relationships, they occupy dominant positions or live on equal terms; there are usually no other options. Therefore, in the matter of cohabitation, much depends on the character of the neighbor, how he will show himself and under what conditions he will agree to live. Of course, this does not apply to small domestic animals and birds; a born hunter will never consider potential prey to be his equal.

Education and training

Kurilian bobtails have developed intelligence, which allows animals to understand the meaning of over a thousand words! Raising a pet is not difficult: the main thing is to correctly determine the boundaries of what is acceptable. You should not raise your hand to the cat, because there are other ways to tell your pet about your dissatisfaction. A stern tone is quite enough. This tactic also works if you want to stop your bobtail from acting inappropriately. The word “no” will certainly prevent unwanted consequences.

If your pet has escaped your close attention and misbehaved, have an educational conversation as soon as possible. Otherwise, the bobtail will not understand what exactly he has done wrong.

Upon reaching a certain age, “smokers” begin to test the owner’s strength, making attempts to take a leading position in the house. At this stage of education, you will need to be able to adequately respond to the animal’s behavior and make it clear that you do not plan to cede dominance to your wayward furry friend.

Otherwise, raising Kurilian Bobtails is not difficult, especially for people with a strong character. Teaching your pets to use the tray and scratching post for their intended purpose is also not difficult.

Representatives of this breed are easy to train. Their inquisitive mind allows them to learn new tricks and adopt the skills of their tailed brothers. Turn the training process into an exciting game - and soon your bobtail will delight you with brilliant execution of commands!

Other types of bobtails

A short tail is a characteristic feature of all species.
In addition to the Kuril breed, there are other varieties:

• Karelian. The animal has a medium body size and long fur. The ears are rounded, the hind legs are longer than the front ones. The eyes are amber-yellow, green or blue, the tail can be straight or kinked.
• Japanese. The cat is medium in size, powerfully built, but quite graceful. The tail is small, similar to a pompom. The most common color is tortoiseshell, with black and white stripes.
• Thai. A beautiful, medium-sized, short-haired animal with bright, blue eyes. The wool comes in different shades - from light beige to chocolate brown and black. The ears, paws, muzzle and tail are usually darker than the rest of the body.
• American. These bob-tailed pets have a large body, with ears slightly tilted forward. The tail is tassel-like, but in many representatives of the breed it may be completely absent.

Despite the fact that the bobtail cat breed was bred in Russia, it is less common in Europe than the British smooth-haired cat, Scottish or Persian breeds.

In a separate category are mixed-breed bobtails, obtained by crossing a purebred pet with another breed. These cats are just as good as other representatives of the breed; the difference between mestizos and purebred cats is the presence of color and size defects. Such characteristics do not affect the ability to participate in breeding, but the Kuril Bobtail will not be able to take part in championship competitions and qualify for prizes. Kurbob can have different colors - gray, striped, brown, black, red.

Care and maintenance

The Kurilian Bobtail does not require careful grooming - and this is another plus in favor of the breed. Even long-haired bobtails do not cause unnecessary inconvenience to their owners.

Since the undercoat of cats is moderately developed, the coat almost never gets tangled, and the procedure of combing the Kuril Bobtail does not become a daily chore. Once or twice a week is enough. It is recommended to purchase a special brush with metal teeth or a glove with silicone growths to remove dead hair. When combing, follow the direction of hair growth.

Bathing for bobtails is one of the most favorite ways to spend time, but you should not overuse it: the skin becomes dry and the guard hair becomes thinner. Using special mild shampoos and conditioners will not help the situation. You should only bathe your pet if it is dirty. Fill a bowl or sink with warm water and then place the cat there. Apply shampoo to the coat, carefully distribute it over the entire body of the Kurilian Bobtail and rinse. After bathing procedures, the pet must be thoroughly dried. For short-haired cats, a towel cocoon is perfect, but long-haired cats will need a hairdryer.

From their ancestors, Kurilian Bobtails inherited the inability to fully retract their claws. For this reason, they are perfectly worn down both while the pet walks and when it interacts with the scratching post. However, it still doesn’t hurt to get a special device for shortening them. Cut off only the ends, otherwise you will damage the thin vessels.

Don't ignore your pet's eyes. They need to be washed several times a week, using a piece of clean, lint-free cloth or cotton wool soaked in a special product (this can be purchased at a pet store). When rubbing your eyes, move your hand from their outer corner to the inner one. The bobtail's ears should be inspected with a similar frequency, wiping them with a cotton pad soaked in a special lotion. Otherwise, wax will accumulate in the ears, which can later lead to the development of infectious diseases.

When it comes to oral care, brushing your cat's teeth once a week is sufficient. However, the use of “human” pastes is strictly prohibited. Get a special attachment for your finger to make the procedure much easier. Don't forget that if absolutely necessary, you can use a regular toothbrush.

Representatives of this breed are extremely unpretentious eaters, but this does not mean that you can feed your pet table scraps. For a show-class Kurilian Bobtail that regularly participates in exhibitions, it is best to purchase premium food. For breed and pet animals, regular food combined with natural food, in particular boiled meat, is suitable.

The following should not be included in the Kuril Bobtail diet:

• some vegetables: potatoes, legumes, eggplants;
• fish (with the exception of low-fat sea fish);
• raw and fried meat;
• bakery products;
• dairy products;
• pork and lamb;
• tubular bones;
• smoked meats;
• sweets.

There should always be filtered fresh water in your pet's bowl.

What else do you need to know?

For breeding, it is better to contact a nursery, where they can check both the pet itself for breed, health, and its mating partner.

Among the genotypes, the tail-helix gene is considered the most stable.

If a pet with a stump tail is crossed with a longer-tailed partner, the offspring will be short-tailed.

Experts say that crossing bobtails, even from different islands, can lead to offspring that differ from the standard.

Be sure to read:

Siberian cat: characteristics of the Russian forest cat breed, what it looks like, content

Allergy to wool

Kurilian Bobtail
Kurilian Bobtails with long hair can cause an allergic reaction. Allergies are less common in cats with short hair.

Shedding

Long hair needs to be brushed a couple of times a week to prevent it from getting tangled. If your cat sheds constantly, this may be due to a lack of calcium in the body. The animal should be shown to a veterinarian.

The first molt occurs in the Kurobob at 6 months. An older cat, as expected, sheds twice a year.

Training

Kurilian Bobtails are smart pets . The mother usually accustoms the kittens to the litter box. As for the scratching post, pets get used to it quickly. You need to bring the kitten to it a couple of times and run its paw over the place where you need to sharpen its claws.

Kurilian Bobtails are smart pets

Bobtails are often compared to dogs in terms of intelligence and trainability. They are able to perform the “Fetch” command and bring a ball or toy. They understand prohibiting commands very well. The first command a cat is taught is “Come to me.”

Tail docking

The tail of Kurobobs is not docked.

The cat has its characteristic spring appearance with a short tail from birth. In semi-longhaired varieties, the tail looks like a pom-pom above the croup.

Health and disease of the Kurilian Bobtail

From their Siberian ancestors, cats inherited good health, which rarely causes unnecessary trouble for their owners. There are no specific or genetic diseases observed in this breed, but certain diseases are still common among Kuril Bobtails. Among them:

• cracks and inflammation of the anal mucosa;
• rectal prolapse;
• urolithiasis disease;
• haemorrhoids.

The excellent immunity of animals does not exclude the possibility of developing infectious and parasitic diseases. Regular vaccinations and visits to the veterinary clinic are a guarantee of the health and longevity of your pet.

Tips for choosing a kitten

Purchasing a kitten of this breed is a responsible step. Carefully study all the kittens in the litter and choose the one that suits you best. Neither your friends nor the breeder will help you in this matter, so you should not listen to their words. They cannot know what kind of pet you need.

You should buy a kitten at about three months of age. At this age, the bobtail is already learning to be independent and not dependent on its mother. The kitten’s psyche is sufficiently developed to adapt to new conditions and owners.

If the pedigree of your future pet is important to you, ask the breeder for documents, achievements, and certificates. It would also be a good idea to meet the parents in person. If the breeder is silent and does not express a desire to fully answer your questions, this is a sign that he has something to hide.

Pay attention to the kitten's behavior among its siblings. If he actively plays with them and shows genuine interest in you, then you can be sure that this is your baby. Lethargic or timid Kurilian Bobtail kittens may grow up hysterical and unsociable in the future.

How to choose a kitten

Purchasing a Kurilian Bobtail kitten is a responsible step that requires intuition and attentiveness from you! It is important to notice among the frolicking kittens exactly the one who will catch your heart. At the same time, you should not listen to either the words of the breeder or the advice of friends and relatives: this is your pet, so you only need to rely on your own premonitions.

The ideal age for purchasing a Kurilian Bobtail is three months. It is at this time that the baby begins to show independence and gradually weanses the habit of maternal care. In addition, a three-month-old “smoker” already has fairly balanced psychological health, so he quickly gets used to new family members.

If the pedigree of the future pet plays an important role, ask the breeder to introduce you to the necessary documentation or, more preferably, to the parents of the babies. This is one of the easiest ways to understand what to expect from your bobtail. The breeder is not talkative and does not demonstrate a desire to tell as much as possible about his charges? This is an alarming sign: it means he has something to hide from curious and persistent buyers like you.

When choosing a kitten, you should focus on its behavior among its brothers. Is your baby active and cheerful, happily getting involved in play and showing healthy curiosity towards you? This is your pet! Refrain from buying lethargic and timid kittens: this may lead to unpleasant consequences in the future.

Description and characteristics

What does the animal look like: colors, size

The muscular system is very well developed.
An adult bobtail has a developed, muscular, strong body. The muzzle is wide, wedge-shaped, with tassels at the tips of the ears, so in appearance the Kuril Bobtail cat is similar to the Maine Coon breed. The animal's eyes are large, nut-shaped, the shade depends on the color of the fur. The nose is wide and straight. The body size is average, the average weight of a cat is 5-7 kg, and that of females is 4-5. Due to the short legs, the animal looks more powerful, the chest is wide, and the hips are raised.

The color of short-tailed bobtails varies. The most common color is red. Black Kuril cats are much less common. Other traditional colors are gray, tabby, and tricolor. White kittens are considered popular. The standards allow the presence of white inclusions on the fur of any color. They are often located on the chest, stomach, paws, and less often in other places.

Tail types

According to international standards, the Kuril Bobtail breed can have the following tail shapes:

• stump;
• panicle;
• spiral;
• pushed back.

How much does a Kurilian Bobtail cost?

As with other breeds, the ideal place to purchase a Kurilian Bobtail is in nurseries that specialize in breeding this breed. The price of an adorable baby starts from 8,000 rubles; the upper limit is limited to 20,000 - 25,000 rubles. In general, the cost of a bobtail is determined by the prestige of the nursery, the presence of a noble pedigree and the class of the kitten (show, breed or pet).

It is worth noting that this breed also has a fourth class - “novice”. It consists of individuals brought directly from the Kuril Islands. The origin of these animals is unknown, but if it is not important for you to become the owner of a pet with noble ancestors, go for it! In any case, the Kurilian Bobtail will become a devoted friend and companion.

History of the origin of the breed

The history of the origin of bobtails dates back to the 20th century, when the development of Siberian lands began. People moved and brought their pet cats with them. But wild eastern bobtails, which were brought from Japan, also roamed Siberia.

The harsh conditions of Siberia created a strong and tenacious animal with excellent health.

Kuril Bobtail
The breed was fully formed at the end of the century. Now Kurilian bobtails are common in Russia, Korea, China, and Vietnam.