Kurilian Bobtail cat breed: facts, temperament and care

About the Kurilian Bobtail

The Kurilian Bobtail comes from the Kuril Islands and Sakhalin in the Russian Far East, where short-tailed cats have lived for a very long time. Russian breeders began to select them in the twentieth century and prized them as hunters of rats and mice on farms and ships. The breed is built for hard weather, with a medium to large, muscular body under a dense double coat that is either short or semi-long.

The tail gives the breed its name. It is short, usually a few centimetres long, and kinked or curved, and it ends in a tuft of fur that looks like a pom-pom. Each tail is shaped a little differently. The head is a rounded triangle with a firm chin, and eyes are usually yellow or green. Most colours and patterns occur, but colourpoint is not allowed in the standard.

Temperament and living with one

Kurilian Bobtails are clever, steady and bold. They attach themselves to one household and follow their people around the home, but they prefer to be near you rather than on you. Breeders often call them dog-like, since many will learn to fetch, walk on a harness and come when called.

The breed is an active hunter. Expect bursts of racing and climbing, and give toys that let the cat stalk and pounce. Many enjoy water and will paw at a running tap or dip a toy in a bowl, a habit that fits their history of fishing at the shore.

They are usually calm with children who are gentle and get on with dogs and other cats when introduced properly. The voice is soft and not often used. Most do not like long days alone, so they do better with company or a second pet.

Care: coat, food and play

The double coat is not hard to manage. Comb the short-haired type once a week and the semi-long type a couple of times a week, and more often during the heavy moult in spring and autumn. The tail needs only a gentle brush.

Feed a complete diet in measured meals and watch the waistline, because a muscular indoor cat can put on weight if play falls off. Provide a tall cat tree, a scratching post and puzzle toys. Because the breed is energetic, daily play sessions matter more than extra treats. Keep the nails trimmed and check the ears now and then.

Health

The Kurilian Bobtail is generally described as hardy, and there is no well-documented list of conditions that are specific to the breed. It is rare and has had little formal study, so ask the breeder what health checks the parents have had. Routine care counts most: vaccinations as advised, parasite control, dental checks and keeping a healthy weight. Ask your vet about anything that seems unusual, such as limping, trouble using the litter box or a change in appetite.

Is it right for you?

Choose a Kurilian Bobtail if you want a sturdy, playful and social cat with an unusual tail, and you have time for daily play. It suits a family or a home with another friendly pet. It is a poor match if you want a cat that is calm and low energy, or if you cannot wait for a kitten, since breeders are few and litters are small. Look at the Japanese Bobtail or the Karelian Bobtail for other natural bobtail breeds.