11 Bobtail Cat Breeds: The Cats With a Short Tail or No Tail

Bobtail Cats

Most cats have long tails, which they wag back and forth to show their emotions. But there are exceptions for some cats. Some breeds have short tails. Some don't even have a tail. This is caused due to genetic mutations in cats. These breeds are called bobtail cats.

Most bobtail cats have very short tails. The Manx cat is the only breed that legitimately has no tail. In this article, we will discuss various breeds of bobtail cats.

11 Breeds of Bobtail Cats

1. American bobtail
2. Canada lynx
3. Cymric
4. Eurasian lynx
5. Highlander
6. Japanese bobtail
7. Karelian bobtail
8. Kurilian bobtail
9. Manx
10. Mekong bobtail
11. Pixie-bob

1. American Bobtail

• Origin: USA
• Weight: 7–16 pounds
• Coat Length: Short to long

The American Bobtail is an uncommon breed of domestic cat that was developed in the late 1960s. It's an intelligent and friendly cat that gets along well with children. They make an excellent family pet, and they even get along with dogs. American Bobtails are known for their stubby "bobbed" tail and independent personality.

This breed can be traced back to a bobtailed stray that was bred with a seal point Siamese. The resulting kittens had short tails, which indicated a dominant bobtail gene in the feral population. This led to breeders selecting bobtailed strays for their signature trait.

2. Canada Lynx

• Origin: North America
• Weight: 11–37 pounds
• Coat Length: Long

The Canada lynx (also known as the Canadian lynx) is a medium-sized cat. It's native to North America and distributed from Alaska through Canada and down into the northern United States. It has long, dense fur with triangular ears with black tufts. It has broad, snowshoe-like paws and a very short tail.

They are known for their excellent hunting skills in deep snow. This is thank to their large feet and long hind legs. They predominantly prey on snowshoe hares.

3. Cymric Cat

• Origin: Canada
• Weight: 8–12 pounds
• Coat Length: Semi-long

The Cymric cat originates from Canada. They can weigh up to 12 pounds. They are a semi-long-haired variety of the tailless Manx cat. They have a rounded build and tall ears. Their coat is noticeably voluminous. The Cymiric cat is known to be a placid pet that loves its owner.

4. Eurasian Lynx

• Origin: Asia and Europe
• Weight: 15–66 pounds
• Coat Length: Short

The Eurasian Lynx is a medium-sized wild cat. It is distributed from Northern Europe to Central Asia. It's the third largest predator in Europe. The Eurasian Lynx has a relatively short coat that is dense and thick. It large and webbed paws allows it to easily travel in the snow. Its short bobtail has a distinctive black tip.

5. Highlander Cat

• Origin: United States
• Weight: 10–20 pounds
• Coat Length: Short to long

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The Highlander cat is a medium-to-large-sized breed that is relatively new. In 1993, breeder Joe Childress crossed a Desert Lynx with a Jungle Curl. He wanted a breed that had the appearance of a "big cat" and the personality of a domestic breed. The breed became recognized by the International Cat Association on 2008.

6. Japanese Bobtail

• Origin: Japan
• Weight: 6–9 pounds
• Coat Length: Medium

The Japanese Bobtail is a medium-sized cat. It has been seen in Japanese prints and scrolls for centuries, but the breed became officially registered in the 1960s. These cats are considered a symbol of good luck in Japan.

These cats have a tenacious and independent nature. They do well with children and dogs, although they will require significant attention.

7. Karelian Bobtail

• Origin: Russian republic of Karelia
• Weight: 10–15 pounds
• Coat Length: Short to long

The Karelian Bobtail is medium-sized breed that originates from Lake Ladoga in the Russian republic of Karelia. This is a natural breed that was only recognized in the early 1990s.

Karelian Bobtails are friendly cats that can easily adapt to new environments. One unique trait of this cat is the ability to jump while simultaneously using all four of its legs.

8. Kurilian Bobtail

• Origin: Kuril Islands in Russia
• Weight: 8–15 pounds
• Coat Length: Short to long

The Kurilian Bobtail is a medium-to-large-sized cat that comes from the Kuril Islands between Siberia and Japan. They are a natural breed that have been around for over 200 years. They have semi-cobby bodies with their big bones and broad chests.

These cats are clever from their history of fending for themselves on the Kuril Islands. Their coats are soft and silky, and they can vary in lengths.

9. Manx Cat

• Origin: Isle of Man
• Weight: 7–13 pounds
• Coat Length: Short to long

The Manx cat comes from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea. This is the only breed of cat that can have no tail at all. These are referred to as rumpies. Some Manx will have a short stump of a tail while others can actually have a long tail.

These cats have a round appearance thanks to their stout build, round head, and round rear. Their front legs are typically shorter than their hind legs. The Manx is one of the founding breeds in the Cats Fancier Association, which was founded in 1906.

10. Mekong Bobtail

• Origin: Thailand
• Weight: 8–10 pounds
• Coat Length: Short

The Mekong bobtail is medium-sized cat breed. The progenitors of the breed came from Thailand. This breed was developed in Russia as Chulalongkorn, the king of Siam, gifted a number of cats to Nicholas II, the emperor of Russia. This breed was originally known as the That Bobtail. In 2004, its name was changed to the Mekong Bobtail, in reference to the Mekong River.

Given its appearance, this cat was likely bred with Siamese cats. This is an active breed that is known to be affectionate with owners.

11. Pixie-Bob Cat

• Origin: United States
• Weight: 8–11 pounds
• Coat Length: Short to long

The Pixie-bob cat is a medium-to-large-sized breed that comes from the United States. While this cat was bred to look like a bobcat, it does not have any bobcat ancestry.

This cat was developed by breeder Carol Ann Brewer in the 1980s. It was registered in the International Cat Association in 1993. This cat is known for its bobtail and its pear-shaped head. This breed is very sociable and actually enjoys being around strangers and other animals.

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