Japanese Bobtail

Bobtails have existed in Japan for centuries and known there as "chrysanthemum cats" on account of their little stumps of tails which, round and fluffy appear to open like a chrysanthemum.

This cat has featured in many tales. Commonly known as Mi-ke, in the guise of Mike-Nako, it became protector of mariners. Climbing the ship's mast, it would put to flight evil genies and the wandering souls shipwrecked sailors. But it could also transform i~ into an evil cat, such as the ogre Neko-Bake, or the two tailed Neko-Mata.

Originally the Bobtail was always single colour white, ginger or black. Colour crosses were develop and today the most sought after is in fact the tricolor Bobtail. The Bobtail left its homeland during the American occupation of Japan. A breeder, Mrs Judy Crawford travelled to Japan, patiently studied the breed and, from 1968 onward, exported thirty-eight Bobtails to the United States, where they were much admired. In Europe the Japanese Bobtail is still very rare. They are difficult to find and extremely expensive if you succeed.

The breed has two peculiarities: its porn porn-shaped stump of a tail and its back end, which slopes in a strange manner. A cat of great character, it is calm, affectionate and usually quiet, but can, when it want to, produce a noisy miaow which it modifies according to the circumstances. Completely at home with humans it shows total indifference, to the point of disdain, when faced with other animals.

Otherwise, it is interested in everything. Given the opportunity it will climb trees or go hunting. It likes the open air but will live a shut-in existence quite happily. A gourmet cat, it likes fresh fish best, which should be fed alternately with meat meals. It has a healthy appetite and therefore needs watching so it does not overeat. Extremely clean, it washes conscientiously. It helps if you give it a light brush every day. Generally healthy it needs to avoid real cold.

General:

Medium sized body, supple and more muscular than it looks. Long, slim paws and hind legs which are slightly longer than the front ones. O/al shaped feet. The tail, which is on 4-5 centimetres (1.5 to 2 inches) long, doubles in length and volume when unfurled.

Head:

Triangular shaped with straight ears and a rounded muzzle. The nose is long and the cheekbones prominent. The eyes, which are extremely bright, are oval shaped and usually green or yellow green.

Coat:

Medium length coat dense and soft. Slight undercoat. Colour is very important to the Japanese. The Mike (meaning three) coot -tricoloured ginger, white and black -is considered to be a sign of good luck.