Japanese Bobtail

The Japanese Bobtail is a slender domestic cat native to Japan, distinguished by a naturally abbreviated pom-pom tail.

Written accounts and temple paintings place the cat in Japan for centuries, including an illustration preserved in the Freer Gallery of Art. Breeders began formal breeding in the United States after imports arrived in 1968. The Cat Fanciers' Association accepted the shorthaired variety for championship competition in 1976 and the longhaired variety in 1993. The International Cat Association recognized the breed in 1979, and the Fédération Internationale Féline granted official acceptance in 1989.

Adult males typically weigh 3-4 kg (6-9 lb) with a lean, muscular torso and long legs whose rear limbs show deep angulation. The distinctive tail forms from a harmless autosomal dominant gene that shortens and curves the caudal vertebrae without producing spinal defects. Show rules require the tail bone to extend no more than 8 cm (3 in) from the rump. The breed standard describes the cat as alert, energetic, and inquisitive. It communicates using soft, melodic vocal trills and frequently carries toys through the home.

Coat maintenance requires minimal effort due to the absence of a thick, woolly underfur, needing only weekly brushing to remove shed hairs. Unlike tailless Manx cats, this genetic trait carries high vitality and shows low kitten mortality rates. Documented medical vulnerabilities mirror common feline conditions such as periodontal disease, patellar luxation, chronic kidney disease, and age-related diabetes mellitus.