American Bobtail for sale in the Netherlands

Character and home

American Bobtails are often people-oriented, playful and adaptable. Many enjoy retrieving or working for food, but they remain cats that must control contact. Provide sturdy climbing routes, several scratching places and varied hunting games every day. Gradual introductions improve the chances of living well with children, cats or cat-friendly dogs. A short tail does not reduce the need for space or exercise.

Coat and daily checks

Comb the short or semi-long double coat weekly and more during shedding. Check the hindquarters, skin and area beneath the tail. Tail length varies and the tail must never be forced straight. Watch for pain, stiffness, difficulty jumping, urine or faecal leakage and litter-box problems. These signs require prompt veterinary assessment of the spine and nerves.

Health and choosing a breeder

The genetic cause of a short tail differs between bobtail breeds, so a breeder cannot dismiss concerns by simply comparing the breed with a Manx. Ask for veterinary or imaging findings in parents and littermates, normal continence and family information on hips, heart and spine. Have a kitten examined independently and favour a functional, mobile tail over an extreme look. Transparent relationships and a low inbreeding coefficient matter especially in this small population.