Pixiebob (cat)

2023 Author: Molly Page | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 12:41

The Pixie Bob is a purposefully bred cat breed similar in appearance to the North American lynx, with a trusting and obedient character. Breeders have been crossing domestic cats with wild short-tailed forest cats living in the forests of the United States and Canada. The name of the breed - pixie-bob - is usually translated from English as "short-tailed elf". And if "pixie" is "elf", then "Bob" is the name of the progenitor of the breed.

Pixie Bob, photo of cat breed photography

Fairy Berendey Persifora from Fairy Berendey cattery

The history of the pixiebob breed

The first kitten of this breed was released in 1985, it was brought to the United States by non-professional felinologists, whose leader was Carol Ann Brewer, who is considered the author of the breed. In fact, for the cultivation of the pixie bob breed in the forest, wild representatives of the feline family were caught and brought together with domestic cats, and when for the first time they managed to get a cat that resembled a lynx in appearance, breeders began to consolidate these characteristics. Only the first stage of this work took about 10 years. The breed was registered with TICA in 1995. The breed is recognized by most felinological systems: TICA, ACFA, WCF, CCA, FARUS, etc.

There is also a marketing legend according to which the domestic cat Pixie, walking through the forest, met a wild cat Bobcat, fell in love with him, and then the pixiebobs came out of the forest, which we now see on sale in cat nurseries.

Appearance

These are cats with a medium or large dense body, large strong legs, a pear-shaped head, a short, low-set tail, as if chopped off (minimum - 5 centimeters, maximum - up to the hock). Pixiebobs are characterized by a deep groin line, polydactyly (maximum - seven fingers) occurs, the appearance is described as "wild", reminiscent of the North American lynx, which they tried to make the pixiebob look like. Height at withers up to 30 cm.

The pixie bob's coat is short or long (up to 5 cm long, on the belly - longer), with a striped-spotted, rosette tabby or spotted color, a brown or black pattern is located on a rufic background or non-ruf.

Cats of this breed have an overhanging forehead and protruding superciliary arches, which, together with deep-set eyes, make these cats look menacing. The medium-sized pixie bob ears sometimes have lynx-like tassels, brown and black. Also, these cats are characterized by massive cheeks, an impressive chin with a "hedgehog" and excess skin in the abdomen.

The shape of the eyes can be both round and almond-shaped, their size is average, the color can be from golden yellow to yellow-green, green is possible.

Pixie bob cats are larger than cats of this breed. Males weigh about 6-10 kilograms, while females weigh 4 to 9 kilograms.

Pixie Bob, pixie bob, photo of cat breed photography

Kennel "Almon-Dilaem"

Pixie Bob personality and behavior

The pixie bobs are often described as “doggy” and are very loyal. These animals are usually very calm, attentive, obedient, and trust people. Since they are strongly attached to their owners, they should not be left alone or with a "nanny" for a long time. Pixie bobs are friendly and non-aggressive.

Representatives of this breed perfectly climb trees and swim well. They are smart enough, “speak” softly, can “chirp” and make guttural sounds similar to twitter. If there is still an animal in the apartment, the pixie bob will try to dominate, but without aggression.

In nutrition and care, pixie bobs are characterized as unpretentious, in food they are unpretentious.

Breeding

These cats grow and mature rather late - by 4 years. There are usually 2-3 kittens in a litter, rarely 4, very rarely - more than 4. It is not recommended to knit two pixie-bobs with polydactyly (polydactyly) to avoid limb deformation.

Pixie-bob from Russpiksi kennel

Pixiebob health

In the breed, rare genetic diseases such as: cryptorchidism (recorded only a few cases); dystocia and cystic hyperplasia of the endometrium; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (several cases are known, in most cases the disease occurred spontaneously).

Breed recognition

Today the breed is recognized by the TICA organization (it was the first to do it, in 1995), as well as by the World Cat Federation. At the beginning of 2012, the next step was recognition in the FIF, where more stringent requirements are imposed on new breeds for recognition.