Japanese Bobtail Cat
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The Japanese Bobtail is a breed of cat with an unusual 'bobbed' tail more closely resembling the tail of a rabbit than that of an ordinary feline. The short tail is a cat body type genetic mutation caused by the expression of a recessive gene. Thus, so long as both parents are bobtails, all kittens born to a litter will have bobtails as well. Unlike the Manx and other cat breeds, where genetic disorders are common to tailless or stumpy-tails, no such problem exists with the Japanese Bobtail.
The Japanese Bobtail is a small domestic cat native to Japan and Southeast Asia, though it is now found throughout the world. The breed has been known in Japan for centuries, and there are many stories, as well as pieces of ancient art, featuring it.
Japanese bobtails may have almost any color, but "Mi-ke" "three fur", composed of white, black and brown coloring) or bi-colors are especially favoured by the Japanese. Much like any other breed, the colors may be arranged in any number of patterns, with van and calico being common among purebred cats, though other colorations are also accepted.
The earliest written evidence of cats in Japan indicates that they arrived from China at least 1,000 years ago. In 1602, Japanese authorities decreed that all cats should be set free to help deal with rodents threatening the silk-worms. Buying or selling cats was illegal, and from then on, bobtailed cats lived on farms and in the streets. Japanese Bobtails thus became the "street cats" of Japan.
The maneki-neko ("beckoning cat"), a Japanese Bobtail seated with one paw raised, is considered a good-luck charm. A maneki-neko statue is often found in the front of stores or homes. In 1968 the late Elizabeth Freret imported the first three Japanese Bobtails to the United States from Japan. Japanese Bobtails were accepted for Championship status in CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) in 1976. In 2001 the first registered litter of Japanese Bobtails was born in the UK under the Solstans prefix.
There is a legend in Japan about why the Japanese Bobtail lost its tail. It states that a cat was warming itself too close to a fire, and set its tail on fire. It then ran through the town, burning many buildings to the ground. As punishment, the Emperor decreed that all cats should have their tails cut off.
A show-quality shorthair Japanese bobtail displays the characteristics of the breed.
· Head: The head should form an equilateral triangle. (Not including ears)
· Ears: Large, upright, set wide apart but at right angles to the head and looking as if alert.
· Muzzle: Fairly broad and round neither pointed nor blunt.
· Eyes: Large, oval rather than round. They should not bulge out beyond the cheekbone or the *forehead.
· Body: Medium in size, males larger than females. Long torso, lean and elegant, showing well *developed muscular strength. Also balance is very very important.
· Neck: Not too long and not too short, in proportion to the length of the body.
· Legs: Long, slender, and high. The hind legs longer than the forelegs.
· Paws: Oval. Toes: five in front and four behind.
· Coat (Shorthair): Medium length, soft and silk.
· Coat (Longhair): Length medium-long to long, texture soft and silky gradually lengthening toward the rump.
· Tail: The tail must be clearly visible and is made up of one or more curves.
