American Bobtail: Breed Guide, Size, Temperament & Best Names
Some cats look wild and act aloof. The American Bobtail only got the memo about the first half. With its bobcat-style stub of a tail, tufted ears, and an intense hunting gaze, it looks like it just padded in from the Arizona desert, and then it ruins the effect completely by greeting you at the door, chirping hello, and dropping a toy at your feet for a game of fetch.
This is one of the youngest recognized American breeds, developed in the late 1960s from naturally short-tailed domestic cats, and one of the most dog-like cats you will ever meet. Sturdy, smart, and famously adaptable, the American Bobtail bonds with the whole household instead of picking a single favorite human. If you want a cat with a wild silhouette and a golden-retriever heart, start here.
History: Born on the American Road
📖 Breed History
The founding legend says Bobtails came from crossing a domestic tabby with a wild bobcat. It makes a great story, and it is not true, that cross is not genetically possible. The short tail is a spontaneous mutation that turned up in ordinary domestic cats, and breeders built the breed from there.
The documented story starts in the late 1960s, when John and Brenda Sanders found a short-tailed brown tabby kitten, later named Yodie, while traveling in Arizona. Mated with a seal-point Siamese, Yodie passed his stubby tail to his kittens, and because the gene behind it is dominant, the trait showed up reliably. Those earliest bloodlines narrowed too much and largely died out, so in the 1980s a new group of breeders rebuilt the breed from scratch, using naturally bobtailed domestic cats found across the United States: no pedigrees required, and definitely no bobcats. The result was a bigger, hardier cat that still resembled Yodie. The International Cat Association (TICA) recognized the American Bobtail in 1989 and granted championship status in 2002; the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) registered the breed in 2000 and awarded full championship status in 2006.
Because the breed was developed from short-tailed cats found across the country rather than from imported pedigree stock, the American Bobtail is classed among America’s natural breeds, and it is still a relatively uncommon one. The American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) also recognizes it, in separate shorthair and longhair divisions: a nod to the two coats that have been part of the breed from the very beginning. The bobtail name is shared with a much older breed across the Pacific: the Japanese Bobtail, Japan’s lucky cat, whose pom-pom tail comes from a different natural mutation. The other bobcat lookalike is the Pixiebob, a dog-like, often polydactyl breed built on a bobcat legend that DNA testing has never confirmed.
Appearance: A Wild Look, Honestly Earned
The American Bobtail is a medium-to-large, noticeably athletic cat: moderately long in the body with a rectangular stance, broad and full through the chest, with substantial hips almost as wide as the chest and hind legs slightly longer than the front ones, part of why it is such a powerful jumper. Males typically weigh 12 to 16 pounds and females 7 to 11, and the breed is in no hurry to get there: most Bobtails take two to three years to reach full size, far slower than the average house cat.
The head is a broad wedge with apparent cheekbones, prominent whisker pads, and a strong chin. Large, almost-almond eyes sit deep under a distinctive brow, producing what the CFA standard calls the breed’s natural hunting gaze; eye color can be almost anything and usually echoes the coat. The medium ears are wide at the base with slightly rounded tips, and the small tufts many Bobtails carry sharpen the wild look. Feet are large and round, and longhairs often grow toe tufts between them.
Both coat lengths are double coats. The shorthair’s is medium and semi-dense, with a harder topcoat over a soft, downy undercoat; the longhair’s is medium-long and slightly shaggy, with a modest ruff and longer fur on the belly and britches. The CFA describes both coats as resilient and non-matting, shaggy rather than dense or fluffy. Every genetically possible color and pattern is allowed, from black, blue, chocolate, and cinnamon to tortoiseshell, calico, and colorpoint, though show breeders favor the wild tabby look that started it all.
And then there is the tail. A Bobtail’s tail runs about one-third to one-half the length of an ordinary cat’s tail, roughly one to four inches, and no two are alike: straight, slightly curved, kinked, or gently bumpy along its length, but always flexible and expressive, and often waving above the back when the cat is alert. The trait comes from a dominant genetic mutation, which is why bobbed tails appear so reliably in litters, though each kitten’s exact tail length still varies. It is a different mutation from the recessive one behind the Japanese Bobtail’s pom-pom tail, and despite the resemblance, the American Bobtail is not related to the Manx either, the similarities are coincidence, not family.
Temperament & Personality: Dog-Like Devotion, Cat Independence
Ask Bobtail people what the breed is like and the word “dog” comes up within a sentence or two. American Bobtails greet visitors at the door instead of hiding from them, follow their people from room to room, and attach themselves to the entire family. They are devoted without being demanding: affectionate, present, and happy to supervise whatever you are doing, whether that is cooking dinner or assembling flat-pack furniture.
They are playful and clever in equal measure. Fetch is a breed specialty, many take to a harness and leash with surprising ease, and their steady, people-focused temperament has made them popular therapy cats in schools, hospitals, and nursing homes. Most are not loudmouths, instead of full-volume meowing, they tend to converse in chirps, trills, and quiet chatter. Energy sits in the happy middle: an adult Bobtail wants daily play and something worth climbing, then is perfectly content to hold down a couch cushion beside you for the evening.
Care & Grooming
That rugged coat is easier to keep than it looks. Brush a shorthair about once a week and a longhair two to three times a week to lift loose hair and keep the shaggy texture tidy; shedding picks up in spring and fall, when slightly more frequent brushing earns its keep. Because the coat resists matting, most Bobtails tolerate grooming well, especially when it starts in kittenhood. Add the standard routine, nail trims, ear checks, and regular tooth brushing, and you have the whole program.
Bobtails are athletic cats who need a job. Plan on daily interactive play, a tall cat tree or wall shelves for climbing, and puzzle feeders to exercise that brain; many genuinely enjoy harness walks once they are trained to the idea. Feed a quality, protein-rich diet in measured portions and keep an eye on the waistline, this is a heavy-boned breed that hides extra pounds well, and staying lean protects its joints. Bringing one home soon? Our new cat owner starter kit walks through the supplies and setup to have ready before your kitten arrives.
Health Notes
American Bobtails are generally hardy, the breed was built from a wide pool of ordinary domestic cats rather than a narrow pedigree line, and a lifespan of 13 to 15 years is typical. No breed is issue-free, though. Bobtails can be prone to hip dysplasia in some lines, a joint condition that may lead to stiffness or arthritis with age; keeping your cat lean is the single best everyday protection. Polycystic kidney disease has been reported in some lines, so it is reasonable to ask any breeder what health screening they do. One honest note on the tail: a healthy Bobtail tail is short, not absent. The rare kitten born with almost no tail at all can be at risk of spinal problems, which is why reputable breeders never breed for complete taillessness, the CFA standard actually disqualifies a total lack of tail. Choose a breeder who screens their cats, keep up annual veterinary checkups, and mention any changes in movement, appetite, or litter-box habits early. These are general, widely published breed notes, not medical advice; your vet is the authority on your cat.
Living With an American Bobtail
Few breeds slot into family life this easily. Bobtails are patient with children, generally welcoming with cat-friendly dogs, and social with other cats, this is a breed built to bond with a household, not a single person. Their confidence makes them unusually good travelers for cats, and their moderate energy suits apartments as happily as houses, provided they get play, perches, and company.
Two honest cautions. First, this is not a cat who enjoys being ignored: a Bobtail left alone and bored will invent its own entertainment, and VCA’s breed notes cheerfully warn that they are talented “cat burglars” who will make off with jewelry and other shiny objects left within paw’s reach. Second, that friendliness extends to everyone at the door, so introductions to visiting dogs still deserve supervision. If your household wants a shadow, a playmate, and a greeter in one sturdy package, the Bobtail delivers, it sits comfortably alongside America’s other home-grown breeds, the gentle Maine Coon and the easygoing American Shorthair, with a wilder silhouette than either.
Best Names for an American Bobtail
A cat built like a tiny bobcat deserves a name with some frontier in it. Every pick below comes from our name database, with meanings exactly as recorded there. For hundreds more, browse our male cat names, female cat names, and unique cat names lists.
- Dakota, from the Sioux: “friend, ally,” for a cat who befriends the whole house
- Ranger, English: “forest guardian”
- Hunter, English: “hunter,” for that famous hunting gaze
- Scout, French: “to listen, to watch”
- Boone, French: “good”; a true frontier surname-name
- Mesa, Spanish: “tableland,” the flat-topped desert mountain
- Canyon, Spanish: “canyon”
- Sierra, Spanish: “mountain range”
- Denver, English: “green valley”
- Maverick, English: “independent-minded”
- Kodiak, “bear island,” for a sturdy, bear-built cat
- Bonnie, Scottish: “pretty, attractive,” the sweet Southern charmer
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is an American Bobtail’s tail?
About one-third to one-half the length of an ordinary cat’s tail, roughly one to four inches. Every tail is different: straight, curved, kinked, or bumpy along its length, and a healthy Bobtail tail is flexible and expressive, often carried up over the back when the cat is alert. A completely absent tail is a fault, not the goal.
Are American Bobtails part bobcat?
No. The bobcat-cross story is a legend, that cross is not genetically possible. The breed descends entirely from domestic cats carrying a spontaneous dominant mutation, starting with a found kitten named Yodie in late-1960s Arizona.
How big do American Bobtails get?
Males usually weigh 12 to 16 pounds and females 7 to 11, on a moderately long, muscular frame. They are slow to mature and typically take two to three years to reach full size, much longer than most domestic cats.
Are American Bobtails good family cats?
Yes, they are among the most family-oriented breeds. Patient with children, social with other cats and cat-friendly dogs, and devoted to the whole household rather than one person. Their steady temperament is also why they are popular therapy cats.
Do American Bobtails shed a lot?
Moderately. Both coat lengths are double coats that shed more heavily in spring and fall. Weekly brushing for shorthairs and two to three sessions a week for longhairs keeps loose hair and tangles under control.
How long do American Bobtails live?
Typically 13 to 15 years. They are a generally hardy breed; keeping them lean, choosing a breeder who screens for hip and kidney issues, and staying current with veterinary checkups gives them the best chance of reaching the top of that range.
By Brianna Baxter
Featured photo: real American Bobtail photograph, to be credited at publish time.