Cats Kurilian Bobtail: character, features of the breed, exterior, photo

Most recently in the world of cat lovers there was an important event - a new breed appeared. Her name was given to the Kurilian Bobtail. The nature of these cute creatures is best suited for home keeping. Especially pleases the owners of their intelligence and unusual devotion. Unfortunately, little is known about this wonderful breed because of its novelty. Let's get to know her better.

History of the appearance of the breed

Short-tailed cats lived on the Kuril Islands Kunashir and Iturup from time immemorial. There is a version that they led a wild existence there, formed flocks similar to lion pride, hunted, caught fish. Other researchers believe that they came to the islands along with immigrants from Japan, and that this is Japanese, adapted to the new habitat conditions, and not the Kurilian Bobtail. Some animals confirm this in part. Local residents did not care. They loved their pets, not bothering with the breed. It so happened that the Kuril Islands, despite all their uniqueness, are not a "mecca" for tourists. From the continent, only scientists and military personnel come there. They also brought strange foxes that they liked to the mainland.

Only in the eighties of the last century people finally saw in the "smokers" a separate species. Felinologists have developed standards for the breed, called the Kurilian Bobtail. The nature of the newcomers, as well as habits and behaviors began to be intensively studied.

Breed Standard

It is believed that the "smokers" combine the signs of Japanese bobtails and Siberian cats. According to the latest changes adopted by the WCF (World Federation of Cats) and FIFe (International Federation of Cats), the standards of the Kurilian Bobtail are as follows:

- The tail is short (the main difference of the breed). The length is only 3-8 cm. It must be pubescent and bent in the form of a pompon.

- The body is muscular, the back is slightly arched, the croup is elevated. The paws are strong and strong, and the hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs.

- Head in the form of a trapezoid, but with smooth outlines, not small. Muzzle not flat, but wide, medium length.

- Ears are medium, broad at base, set high, slightly rounded at the ends.

- The eyes are widely distributed, have a round or slightly almond shape and are harmonized in color with the coat color.

- Color Kurilian Bobtail is allowed in a variety of combinations, except for the acromelanic, chocolate, lilac, faun and cinnamon.

Two subspecies of "smokers"

The above characteristics should be maintained by all representatives of the "smokers". But on the length of their wool there are two options - long-haired bobtail and short-haired. The first should have an average length of hair, a dense undercoat, the so-called "collar" in the neck, "panties" in the area of croup and hind limbs. The second undercoat is not developed very much, the fur is short and tender, adjacent to the body.

Sometimes there are cats that look like a lynx. Needless to say, as much as such specimens of the Kurilian Bobtail are desired. The price is always higher, especially if there are brushes characteristic for lynx on the ears. In kennels for kittens it is from 400 to 1000 cu. At private persons it is possible to buy a kitten and for 50у.е., only guarantees in cleanliness of breed here will not be.

Disadvantages of the breed

Now Kurilian Bobtails take part in all international exhibitions, where they always receive awards. Nevertheless, the requirements for the breed are quite high. So, seals get a lower score if the following shortcomings are detected:

- tail straight, longer than 8 cm or shorter than 3 cm;

- excessively arcuate back.

If the tail is not at all, or is longer than 12 cm, the animal is not classified at all.

The body size of females and males is different, and this is considered the norm. The representatives of the breed of Kurilian Bobtail, grown in the conditions of nurseries, weigh up to 4 kg, the cats - up to 6. Their wild representatives are somewhat smaller. Female weighs only 2.5 kg, and males weigh 4 kg. Deviations of breeding bobtails in weight are not a disadvantage of the breed, but are undesirable.

Kuril and Japanese short-tailed

Although the Kurilian Bobtail, a photo of which can be seen in the reference books, is isolated in a separate breed, many still believe that this is just a kind of their Japanese counterparts. The Japanese, who believed that the cat's tail was going to evil and sorcerous forces, for centuries, carefully selected kittens who had this "vice" as short as possible. They idolized such animals. Fans of Russian Bobtails claim that the genetic origin of the tail in their pets and in the "Japanese" has genetic differences. However, so far this is not confirmed by anything. Some opponents of the breed generally do not see the difference between "smokers" and "Japanese". But it does exist.

So, our ears are slightly rounded, and in "not ours" pointed, that the Japanese are very appreciated. The wool of their cats is of medium length of any color, the eyes are more slanting (the "Japanese" are still), the body is slender. A special charm of the breed is attached to their so-called samurai counter. At translucent she disappears somewhere.

Features of the tail

The slightly unusual and beautiful word "bobtail" means, in fact, a "scrawny tail" or "tail-pompon." Some believe that its deformation and the "Japanese" and "smokers" inherited from Chinese short-tailed cats. This length is due to deformation of the vertebrae. According to the standard, pedigreed cats should have from 2 to 8, and the number of vertebrae in kittens is not necessarily the same as that of their parents, but may vary somewhat. But the vertebrae must be curved. True, in any direction. Another imperative requirement - the tail must necessarily be pubescent, and more than the rest of the body.

No matter how short the tail of a bobtail is, several forms are distinguished. Among them, a bean, a stump, a broom, a spiral.

Character

Very interesting breed of Kurilian Bobtail. The nature of its representatives has many remarkable features. So, all the "smokers" are unusually friendly to the members of the family they live in, but love only one! He is also a dog-like devotee. Whoever it is, the cat decides for himself. With the chosen one the "chicken" will be inseparable, become his "tail" and his "shadow." Only his cat will allow what will never be tolerated with others, such as medical procedures. There was a case when a sick cat of a bobtail was kept by 8 people to make an injection! She, like a tigress, rushed at people and did not let anyone in to her, and the owner was ignorant in medicine and could not treat her himself.

But the children "smokers" are tolerant enough. No matter what the kids do with them, they will never lift a paw on them. But they treat the strangers with caution, always sniffing at them, deciding whether to attack or not. Cases of throwing "smokers" on non-favors them were recorded.

It is very important to know how the Kurilian Bobtail coexists with other animals. His character is not only freedom-loving, but also preserving hunting instincts. Therefore, those who decided to get themselves this lovely short-tailed, should forget about fish, birds, hamsters and so on. A sad fate awaits them all.

Intelligence

On the possibilities of the mind is a very surprising breed of Kurilian Bobtail. The owners' reviews repeatedly confirm the extraordinary cleverness and understanding of their pets.

So, they do not need to repeat ten times what a pot is needed for, that the sofa is not meant for sharpening claws, but curtains do not hang to climb them on the cornice. "Smokers" understand the first time that you can and can not.

The second curious feature is their conversation. Scientists believe that all cats are able to pronounce individual sounds and even words. This confirms the fact that representatives of different breeds meow differently. For example, bobtails in "meow" quite clearly pronounced "m". They also know how to squeak, clatter, bleat like goats and roar like real predators.

And they are able to execute commands, almost like dogs, especially the "aport" team. You can play for hours with a "smoker", throwing him a wire or a wand. He will run after her, take it in the teeth and bring to the master. True, for this, the cat must himself want it. Many Bobtails sit able to raise their paws. The Japanese are sure that such a gesture cat attracts good luck in the house.

Behavior

A lot of the Kurilian Bobtail cat inherited from its wild ancestors. The character of each of these lovely creatures is individual. However, all of them are traits of hunters. For example, males of "smokers" never mark corners in an apartment. This is based on a simple natural instinct - not to give the potential enemy its location. After all, in the wild, stronger predators for smell could easily find both adult bobtails and their young.

Another amazing feature is the love of water. Wild short-tailed hunted not only on birds and mice, they perfectly fished fish. At home pets there is no need to procure for themselves "daily bread", but the inherent ability to swim and dive in nature remains. Therefore, they tolerate water procedures with pleasure.

Those who keep bobtails in the private sector, appreciate the ability of pets to hunt rodents. Strong paws of "smokers", their lightning reaction, high jumping do not leave the victim any chance. Not afraid of these cats are even dogs and they never get away from them. Owners of Bobtails need to be careful, because no cat can not cope with large breeds of dogs, especially fighters.

Features of care

Kuril Bobtails are very hardy and strong cats, so they rarely give problems to their owners.

However, for pets to always feel good, you need to pay special attention to their nutrition. It is not recommended to feed them with natural products and canned food at the same time, because it disrupts the balance of the gastrointestinal tract. Kittens of the Kurilian Bobtail must necessarily get cottage cheese, boiled yolk and vitamins.

In the future, if it is decided to feed the cat with natural products, it is necessary to choose food that he could obtain for himself at will. That is, include more fish and meat, especially poultry. Of course, all food should be cooked.

If the choice is stopped on artificial feed, give the animal only good quality canned food.

Swim "smokers" in the vast majority like, and problems with this the owners do not arise. But combing them is not necessary, because they never get hair off. If, after all, he wanted to smooth him a fur, the comb should be taken with a comb whose teeth are not electrified. Otherwise, the pet will be uncomfortable.

As necessary, you need to clean your cat's ears and wipe your eyes with damp sponges. And of course, to carry out vaccination.

Difficulties in breeding

Kittens breed Kurilian Bobtail, the price of which varies depending on their thoroughbredness and the availability of documents, can be purchased in nurseries or from private individuals.

Reproduction of "smokers" does not differ much from the reproduction of other breeds. In the litter there are up to 5 kittens, which can differ from each other in the length and shape of the tail. For those who do not aim to preserve the purity of the breed, it does not matter. The main thing is that the kittens are born healthy, and their mother did not have postpartum problems.

For breeders the purity of the rock is of great importance. Each Kurilian Bobtail kennel tries to find the perfect pair to get purebred offspring. But even with careful selection, cases of the appearance of litters with long tails or tailless in the litter are not uncommon. This is because the ancestors of cats-parents had matings with long-tailed relatives, and genetic memory has preserved it.