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Japanese Bobtail vs Kurilian Bobtail
Two Asian natural bobtails. The Japanese is slighter, talkative and playful; the Kurilian is a sturdy, quieter, double-coated hunter weighing up to 15 lb.
Verdict
These two are close in friendliness, and the main differences are build and voice. The Japanese Bobtail is a fine-boned, silky-coated cat of 6 to 9 lb, talkative and top-rated for play and with children. The Kurilian Bobtail is a sturdy island cat with a dense double coat, up to 15 lb, quieter, and bred as a rodent catcher. The Kurilian is not recognised by the CFA. Choose the Japanese Bobtail for a chatty, intelligent family cat, and the Kurilian for a hardy, quieter one.
Choose the Japanese Bobtail if
- You want a lively, talkative, intelligent cat.
- You prefer a slighter build and a silky coat.
- You want a CFA championship breed since 1976.
- You live in an ordinary home.
Choose the Kurilian Bobtail if
- You want a sturdy, hardy, people-friendly cat.
- You prefer a quieter voice and a shaggy-tailed look.
- You do not mind a cat that hunts and plays hard.
- You accept a Rare breed with few breeders.
Where they are alike
Both are active, sociable cats with pom-pom tails. Both rate well with children and other pets and need only light grooming.
Side by side
| Japanese Bobtail | Kurilian Bobtail | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Japan | Kuril Islands and Sakhalin, Russia |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-9 lb (2.7-4 kg); males are larger | 8-15 lb (3.6-6.8 kg); males are heavier |
| Lifespan | 9-15 years | Often reported as 15 years or more; few studies |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Soft, silky coat of medium length with no noticeable undercoat; a longhair variety also exists | Dense double coat, short or semi-long, with a pom-pom tail |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1976 | Not recognised by the CFA |
| How common | Rare | Rare |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 4 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 4 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 2 |
| Shedding | 3 | 3 |
| Good with children | 5 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 3 | 3 |
| Trainability | 5 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 3 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The silky coat sheds moderately, and people who react to cats usually react to this breed. | — |
| Suits | A lively family that wants an intelligent, talkative cat and does not mind a high-energy companion. | An active household that wants a hardy, people-friendly cat with a shaggy-tailed look and does not mind a cat that hunts and plays hard. |
| Less suited to | A very quiet household, or anyone who wants a laid-back cat that sleeps through the day. | Anyone who wants a quiet lap cat, or who needs a breed that is easy to find from several breeders. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026