Pixie-bob cat breed: facts, temperament and care

About the Pixie-bob

The Pixie-bob is an American breed that was selected to resemble a small wild bobcat. The breeder Carol Ann Brewer began the programme in the mid-1980s, starting from a foundation cat named Pixie. The cats were believed to carry bobcat blood, but a DNA test reported in the 1990s found no support for that claim, and the breed is now treated as fully domestic.

TICA took the Pixie-bob into its exhibition category in 1993, gave it new-breed status in 1996 and championship status in 1998. The body is large and muscular, with a broad head, heavy brow, and a short tail that is bobbed, usually a few inches long. The coat is a brown spotted tabby with reddish, apricot and peach tones, short and woolly or, in a long-haired form, a little longer. Many Pixie-bobs have extra toes, which is allowed in the standard. Kitten eyes are blue and turn gold or green as the cat grows. The breed matures slowly, up to age four.

Temperament and living with one

Pixie-bobs are intelligent, social and bold. They bond with the whole family, enjoy attention and have a reputation for being good with children and other animals. They are often described as dog-like, will fetch, walk on a harness and learn tricks. They are not especially noisy, though they chirp, chatter and growl, and most meow little.

The breed is active and needs daily play, a large cat tree and room to roam. A bored Pixie-bob will invent its own games, so offer puzzle toys. Introduce new pets gradually and supervise young children, since big, strong cats can play rough.

Care: coat, food and play

The dense coat needs a brush once or twice a week, more during the moult. Check the toes if your cat has extra ones, since extra nails can overgrow and need regular trimming. Clean the ears and teeth as your vet advises.

Feed a complete adult diet in measured meals suited to a large, slow-growing cat. Provide sturdy scratching posts, tall perches and a big litter tray.

Health

The breed was outcrossed widely and is described as genetically diverse. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been recorded and is hereditary in many cases, so regular heart scans for breeding cats are advised. Blocked tear ducts occur. Some females have had difficulty giving birth and a womb condition called cystic endometrial hyperplasia. Cryptorchidism is rare. Ask the breeder about heart screening, and ask your vet about a routine health plan.

Is it right for you?

Choose a Pixie-bob if you want a large, friendly, clever cat that suits a lively family and has room to play. It is a poor match for a tiny home or a schedule that leaves the cat alone for long hours. For another bobtailed natural breed, look at the American Bobtail and the Manx; for a bigger fluffy cat, the Maine Coon.