Pixiebob Cat Breed Profile

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  • At a glance

    • Origin: 1985, Washington, USA
    • Lifespan: 12-18 years
    • Energy: Medium
    • Temperament: Friendly, playful, easygoing, active
    • Weight: Males 5-6 kg (11 13.2 lbs), females
      5 kg (11 lbs)
    • Colours: Brown tabby
    • Eyes: Green to gold
    • Grooming: Daily or weekly depending on coat length

    About

    The Pixie-bob legend is that the breed is a cross between a wild bobcat and a domestic cat. In 1985, Carol Ann Brewer of StoneIsland Cattery bought a short-tailed, polydactyl cat from the base of Mount Baker, in Washington State. The following year, she rescued a second male cat who had a bobbed tail. He was allegedly the offspring of a bobcat. This cat was supposedly a large cat, reaching Carol’s knees, he was named Keba. Keba mated with the female cat of a neighbour named Maggie. Carol kept one of the kittens from this litter which she named “Pixie”.

    Pixie had the appearance of a wild bobcat and Carol went on to start a breeding programme with her. These cats were called “Legend Cats”. Other cats from the Mount Barker area were used in the breeding programme; it is said that these cats were the result of bobcat/domestic matings. However, DNA analysis has shown no bobcat genes in the Pixie-bob.

    Carol approached The International Cat Association (TICA), and the Pixibob was accepted for exhibition status in 1995 and 1996 was awarded new breed status.

    Appearance

    Pixiebob
    pixie bob on grey background

    Body: Bred to resemble the wild, Coastal Red bobcat, the Pixie-bob is a large and sturdy cat that is well muscled and heavy boned. The chest is broad. The Pixie-bob should have a primordial pouch, having the appearance of a loose flap of skin, just in front of the rear legs. The legs are long and thick, with the hind legs being slightly longer than the front legs. The feet are large and round, and the breed may have extra toes (polydactyl). The tail can be from 2 inches to full length. It is preferable that the tail ends before the hock.

    Head: The head is medium to wide and the shape of an inverted pear. Ears are medium size, wide at the base with a rounded tip that is tufted. There should be a pale thumbprint mark on the back of the ears.

    The forehead is slightly rounded, leading down to a nose with a slight break which ends in a brick red colour. The muzzle is broad and the chin is blunt and fleshy.

    Eyes: Eyes are deep-set, triangular with a heavy hooded outer corner. Eye colour ranges from a deep golden colour to gooseberry green.

    Coat: The coat comes in both long and short hair. It is soft, thick and woolly and should stand off the body in shorthaired cats. The hair is finer in longhaired Pixie-bobs. They come in all shades of brown tabby.

    Pixie-bob personality

    The Pixie-bob is an intelligent breed of cat who is active, playful, curious and are easy to train to walk on a leash or play fetch.

    Friendly, personable and outgoing are three words to describe the Pixie-bob. They get along with almost anybody and form strong bonds with their human family.

    They are dog-like in temperament and like to follow their humans around the house.

    Lifespan

    12 – 14 years.

    Author

    • Julia Wilson, 'Cat World' Founder

      Julia Wilson is the founder of Cat-World, and has researched and written over 1,000 articles about cats. She is a cat expert with over 20 years of experience writing about a wide range of cat topics, with a special interest in cat health, welfare and preventative care. Julia lives in Sydney with her family, four cats and two dogs. Full author bio