Conference misery::feline_v1

    From what I understand from other breeders, no two breeds were crossed,
    it was just one of those things that just happened.  It probably
    showed up in a litter somewhere all by itself.  Someone thought
    it was a cute cat and decided to breed for it.  I don't think that
    they have tried gaining acceptance in CFA yet since that would show
    up in the minutes of the board meetings if any letters had been
    received.  I have seen the adds in Cats Magazine and Cat Fancy and
    it is a cute cat.
    
    Jo

    Thanks, Jo.
    
    I wrote to a few breeders for information and pictures.  Thought
    for sure a Himalayan or Siamese was crossed in there somewhere.
    

    The "himalayan" gene is in the general cat population.  They wouldn't
    have had to breed to a purebred Himi or Siamese to bring it out.
    Let us know what you find out, like I said, the information I have
    is what was told to me by others, not necessarily facts.
    
    Jo

    Roberta,
    
    I'm interested, too.  Our LandShark is a grey tabby with a "bob"
    tail.  She is such a wonderful and smart cat we were trying to figure
    out how to duplicate her without having a litter.  
    
    (Would a Xerox work??  ;-) ??)
    
    Jill
    

    I spoke to two breeders of American Bobtails, one in Iowa and and
    the other in Florida.  I believe these are the only two breeders
    in existance.  I liked the breeder's personality in Florida better;
    however, she breeds 7 different types of cats, one or two types
    of dogs, and horses.  That's a lot of animals.  She said that the
    Bobtails have personality plus, and everyone she has sold to have
    called her for another one.  Ironically, she breeds Ragdolls as
    well and is not at all pleased with the temperament of the cats.
    In fact, she said that she has sold Bobtails to people who own Ragdolls
    and those people have called her saying that the Bobtail personality
    is ten times better than that of the Ragdoll, much more affectionate,
    friendly, and loyal.  What I did not like about her is the fact
    that she cross breeds some of the cats; she is not into keeping
    the breeds pure or adhering to standards of pet and show quality.
    Although she seemed very nice and it was obvious she loves her animals,
    breeding is definitely a business to her.
    
    The Iowa breeder works in conjunction with the Florida breeder.
    She only breeds the Bobtails and her prices were a lot lower and more
    reasonable.  She owns the cat on the poster I saw.
    
    They said the Bobtail has some Siamese, Himalayan, and Birman in
    them.  They come in colorpoints, lynxpoints (these are most common)
    and also bicolors and calicos.  Kittens born with long tails are
    docked (ouch - does this hurt?!).
    
    That's basically what I found out.  Like all breeders, both these
    women were very enthusiastic about the breed and said, "You have
    got to own one of these cats."  Maybe someday, I will.
    

    Docking tails does hurt, and personally I don't see any reason why
    it should be done unless it is a medical emergency.  
    
    I had to have one of my Birman kitten's tails docked because it
    was badly kinked at the end and was getting no blood circulation.
    We only took off the part that we had to.  It could not be done
    with anesthetic since he was so young.  It hurt him very much and
    that hurt me.  Since they have to cut through bone, there is risk
    of infection.  We had to swab his tail with alcohol to help prevent
    infection and that hurt him too.
    
    I don't like the fact that these cats have their tails docked just
    to make all of the litter bobtails.  I also don't like the fact
    that she inter-breeds the different breeds {and I especially don't
    like the fact that she used a Birman somewhere in there - but that
    kinda goes without saying ;^)}.  I would agree with Roberta's deduction
    that she is in it for the money.  The sad part is that she doesn't
    seem to be setting a very good example for future Bobtails breeders
    and the breed may end up taking the route of the IRCA ragdolls,
    not ever being accepted by any association.
    
    Jo

    Roberta,
    
    I called a Japanese Bobtail breeder who lives here in the Bay
    area.  She's going to send me information.  As soon as I get it,
    we can compare notes and determine the differences between
    the American and Japanese Bobtails.  I didn't get to talk to her
    at all because she left a recording but her voice sounded nice and
    she just said to leave my name and address if I wanted info, so I
    did.
    
     
    I'll let you know when I get it.
    
    Jill
    
    Jill

    It seems to me that the biggest differences will be in the tails.
    Japanese Bobtails are born with tails (all of them) but the tails
    are curled up close to the body like pig tails.  
    
    American Bobtails seem to have a similar gene to the one that Manx
    and Cymrics have.  Sometimes born with tails and sometimes not.
    
    I wonder if all American Bobtail breeders stem from the same lady,
    the one in Florida.
    
    Jill, is the Japanese Bobtail breeder you called Linda Donaldson?
    If so, she and I are very good friends, we belong to the same cat
    club.  She lives in San Ramon.  She has very nice cats.
    
    Aside from the tail difference (I will have to talk to Linda to
    confirm my theory) there appears to be a great difference in the
    body type.  JB's have the foreign body type, slender long limbs
    and features, with a close lying coat.  AB's seem to look like a 
    ragdoll with no tail.  They appear stocky, short legged, husky and 
    with bushy coats.
    
    Jo

    Jill and Jo -
    
    I just received my pictures and information on the American Bobtail.
    You would think if these two breeders wanted to push their breed
    they would at least include photos that show the TAILS!  Not one
    of them do!!  All I can see are faces and the one of the cat on
    the poster has her body turned in such a way that the tail isn't
    visible although it is in clear view on the poster and it's obvious
    that the cats are on in the same.  I love the blue lynxpoint.  That's
    my favorite of the photos they sent.  Yes, the coats look very plush
    and silky in texture and the cats are built large and stocky.  The
    literature just introduced the cats, said they come in virtually
    all patterns and colors and because of their mixed breeding, have
    no known health problems to speak of.  Right now, only two breeders
    of American Bobtails exist; one if Florida and one in Iowa and they
    work together in their breeding program.  Most of the cats and kittens
    seem to come out of the Florida cattery since it is the largest.
    Personally, I enjoy dealing with a small breeder who spends a lot
    of time with the cats.  I plan to keep in touch with the Iowa breeder
    but at the same time, am thinking of visiting the breeder in Florida
    when Dana and I go there for our honeymoon in September.  That will
    help me make a decision on where I want to take my business if I
    do one day decide on a Bobtail.
    
    Keep us posted on the J.B., Jill!
    
    /Roberta
    

    Roberta and Jo,
    
    Hi.  Yes, the breeder I called  was Linda in San Ramon.  I can't wait to
    see the pictures and any information she sends me.  
    
    Thanks to the two of you, I now know the difference between the AB and
    the JB--body type and type of coat.  LandShark is a slim, long-legged,
    grey tabby with a wonderful fire-cracker tail.  She looks like an
    Americanized version of the JB.  Like I said, the calico JBs (called
    mi-ke which is pronouned mee-kay) have really caught my fancy.  If
    their personality matches LandShark, I think we've got a winner.
    
    Jo, has Linda ever mentioned their personality traits to you?  From
    what I've read, they're supposed to be incredibly loyal and
    affectionate.  What fun!
    
    Roberta, it looks like both you and I go for the obscure breeds.  :-)
    The AB sounds neat--I'm sitting here envisioning Merlin with little
    or no tail--hmmmmmmm..... what a picture!  (By the way, Merlin says
    hello to you, Kelsey, and Shelby.)  I wish I could visit the breeder
    with you (invisibly, of course, since it will be your honeymoon :-))
    and see the ABs--they sound lovely.
    
    Jill