A vast majority of people ask me what makes the American Bobtail different from the Pixiebob. Well all I can say is it is sometimes easier to SHOW then to explain. So here are some photo's that I made up to help visually show the differences.
There are MANY breeds of cats that are similar. Devon Rex/Cornish Rex, Maine Coon/Siberian/Norweigian Forest Cat, also the Ocicat/Bengal. To the average lay person it is hard to tell them apart. All long haired cats are Persians, all color points Siamese....Well here I hope to help you be able to distinguish the difference between the Bobtail and the Pixie.
One of the major factors is the American Bobtail is a wholly natural domestic breed. In my opinion, I do truly believe many Pixiebobs (who have the legendary Bobcat heritage) actually are true hybrids and have Jungle cat or Bengal, in them. Though most Pixie Breeders deny this, I have certified pedigree's from TICA that do show this. American Bobtails come in ALL colors. The Pixie-bobs are only brown spotted tabbies, created with other cat breeds (Maine Coon, Manx, Bengal) and specifically designed to be a Bobcat look alike.
The American Bobtail has a distinct broad wedge shaped head and should never appear as an equilateral triangle. Imagine a piece of pie with the tip cut off, that is an American Bobtail head. The muzzle is wider then long and the chin should be wide and compliment the overall look of the muzzle.
The Pixie-Bob has an inverted pear shaped head. Take a pear, turn it upside down. This give the Pixie a longer, more rounded muzzle. Almost a rounded diamond in shape. Pixie-bobs also have a convex roundness between the ears. American Bobtails skulls are flat or rather straight across from ear to ear.
The EYE shape of an American Bobtail is Large ALMOST almond. This give a large "open" eye. As the line shows, the eyes slants upwards (set on a bias) through the base of the ear.
This is a wonderful photo showing the excellent triangle eye shape of the Pixie. Due to the Pixie Bobs heavy brow, the top eye line goes straight across, hitting below the base of the ear. This girl has a WONDERFUL heavy brow.
In profile the American Bobtails
chin is to be inline with the nose leather with a gentle curve between nose and brow. Almost like the shape of a teaspoon if laid there. There can be a slight nose bump.
Due to the Pixiebobs heavy brow the curve between nose and brow is almost a 90% angle. Like a step. The Pixie Bob chin is much fuller, deeper and rounded.
No! It's not a trick of the camera. Even the most untrained eye can now see the obvious. I like to say that the American Bobtail is the "Saddle Bred" of the cat breeds, their tails are set high (above the shoulders) and should be carried upright. Pixie-bobs are the "Quarter Horse" type. Nice rounded rumps with a low tail set, below the shoulder blades. Due to the heavy muscles in the Pixie Bobs shoulders, Pixie backs have a prominent "dip" behind the blades.
I hope you have enjoyed this comparison. All photo's were used with permission. No portion of this article may be used without written consent of Patricia Peters.
Scroll to bottom of page for new tail lengths definition!
Tail lengths and explanations
Due to the randomness of the American Bobtails tail gene it is impossible to get the perfect tail on each cat. Here are several photo's explaining the length and it's acceptance.
The TICA Standard for the American Bobtail states tail must have a minimum of 1" of bone. This guy is just legal with 1 1/4" inch of bone. In CFA the Standard varies to say "Tail must be visible above the back when erect." In either association, this tail is acceptable.
This tail is about 3 1/2 inches or "Half way to the hock" the most seemingly most prefered length. This cat shows a great rectangular torso with her body being slightly higher in the hips.
The "hock" is the pointy part on the hind leg of a cat. American Bobtails tail must not past the hock in length when the hind leg is extended to be considered a show quality legal tail. As you can see, this tail stops just above the hock and is a perfectly acceptable tail length. While our personal preference may be for that *perfect* half way to the hock tail. The American Bobtail standard does say "Minimum one inch of bone but not to exceed the hock in length" and should be judged as such.
Well, hey OOPS! This tail is just too long and does past the hock in length! This tail is NOT a show length tail and this cat would be disqualified in the show ring.
Some breeders like to refer to tails as "bobcat" length, rather then in inches. This gives the joe average person a rough idea on a tail length. True Bobcat tails range in length from 7-13 vertebrae.
Rumpie- NO tail
Rumpie riser- 1 vertebrae
Riser -2-3 vertebrae, just enough to wag, to short to show.
Stumpy - Manx term for tails 2-3 inches. Bobtail breeders generally do not use this term.
Natural short - Kittens that were born with a nice short tail.
Half way to the hock -
A tail that is about 3 inches.
Bobcat Length - about 3/4 of the way to the hock.
Hock Length - A tail that goes to the pointy part of the hind leg.
Past the hock or 3/4 tail -
a tail that is shorter then a full tail but to long for the show ring.
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Hock
ALL of these tail lengths are acceptable
This shows how to measure that "questionable" tail. The tail must not pass the hock when the hind leg is extended. This tail is the maxium allowed for the show ring.
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