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Kuril Bobtail |
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TranslationFrancis Vandersteen |
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OriginThe Kuril Bobtail is a cat breed from the Kuril Islands in Russia. |
| This cat is characterized by its very short pom-pom tail, the result of a natural mutation. The breed exists in shorthair and longhair varieties. |
A brief historical overview |
| This natural breed originated on the Kuril Islands, on the border between Russia and Japan. No human intervention has altered the breed, and their distinctive tail is the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation similar to that of the Japanese Bobtail. Existing since at least the 17th century, the breed remained unknown due to the political retreat of the Soviet Union, and was only registered by the Fédération Internationale Féline in the early 1990s. The breed has had difficulty gaining recognition from cat federations due to its great similarity to the Japanese Bobtail. TICA registered the longhair and shorthair varieties in the Preliminary New Breed category in 2008. |
Behavior / characteristics |
| Character traits are above all a function of each cat's history, and therefore perfectly individual. However, the Kuril Bobtail is described as a sociable but independent cat. According to the LOOF, it's a cat that needs space. It loves water and won't hesitate to dive into its owner's bath. |
Head |
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Cranial region |
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Head |
The head forms a trapezoid with high, prominent cheekbones and a pronounced muzzle. | |
Facial region |
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Nose |
A slight hollow is visible at the base of the nose. | |
Eyes |
Large and almost round, any color is acceptable, but must be coordinated with the coat color. | |
Ears |
Medium-sized, set fairly wide apart. | |
Body |
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Generality |
The Kuril Bobtail has a compact, powerful body and arched back. | |
Tail |
| The short tail is made up of several irregular knots and measures between 3 and 8 cm, depending on the size of the cat. A tail that is too long (over 8 cm) is considered a fault, or even an eliminatory fault if it measures more than 12 cm. It should form a characteristic pompom, as the hair on the tail is longer than on the rest of the body. There are several terms for tail length: Snag: 2 to 8 strongly deformed vertebrae stuck together. It is often straight or slightly curved downwards. Spiral: 5 to 10 vertebrae forming a spiral or hook. This type of tail is the most sought-after. Whip: 5 to 10 vertebrae carried straight and measuring about ⅔ the size of a normal tail. Delayed: 5 to 7 vertebrae starting normally (straight) and ending with a hook. This type of tail is considered a fault. |
Limbs |
| The legs are of medium length, with strong bones, powerful muscles and round paws. | ||
Forequarters |
Hindquarters |
Coat |
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Coat and texture |
The coat can be short or medium-length. In shorthaired dogs, the coat is close to the body, with a thick undercoat and heavy guard hairs. In semi-long-haired Kuril Bobtails, the coat also has a thick undercoat and substantial guard hairs. All colors and patterns are permitted. | |
Size and weight |
Authorized marriages |
| Cross-breeding with other breeds is not permitted. Under no circumstances should the Kuril Bobtail resemble a Japanese Bobtail. |
English (United Kingdom)