American Bobtail

The American Bobtail's story begins in the late 1960s when John and Brenda Sanders, a young couple vacationing near an Arizona Native American reservation, discovered a short-tailed brown tabby kitten. They brought the kitten home to Iowa and named him Yodi. When Yodi mated with the family's domestic cat, Mishi, some of the resulting kittens inherited his distinctive short tail.

Friend and fellow cat enthusiast Mindy Schultz saw potential in these unique kittens and began developing the breed. Early breeding attempts included crosses with Himalayans and other pointed breeds, but these initial lines had health issues. In the 1980s, breeders shifted to using feral domestic cats with naturally short tails, strengthening the gene pool and establishing the robust, healthy breed we know today.

The American Bobtail's short tail results from a natural dominant genetic mutation, not from selective breeding for taillessness. Each cat's tail is unique, ranging from one to four inches in length, and may be straight, slightly curved, bumped, or kinked. Unlike the Manx, which can have complete taillessness linked to spinal problems, the Bobtail's partial tail does not carry the same health concerns.

The breed standard emphasizes a wild appearance with a domestic temperament. Judges look for a strong, athletic cat with a naturally short tail, alert expression, and an overall impression of barely tamed wildness combined with a sweet, friendly personality. Both shorthair and longhair divisions are recognized.

TICA recognized the American Bobtail for championship status in 1989, and CFA accepted the breed for registration in 2000. Despite their growing popularity and devoted following, American Bobtails remain relatively rare compared to mainstream breeds, with dedicated breeders carefully maintaining the breed's robust health, exceptional temperament, and distinctive wild appearance. Their documented success as therapy cats, with some being formally incorporated into psychotherapy treatment programs, has further enhanced their reputation as one of the most emotionally intelligent and companionable feline breeds available.