Page 192 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

190 C A T AL OG OF BREED S

Ears set well
back on skull
Brown-spotted
tabby markings Slightly rounded ear
Short tail muted by ticking tips with small tufts

Distinctive
dark facial
markings

Prominent
whisker pads

Coat longer
on belly

Thick, Large,
well-muscled polydactyl paws Small spots on coat
legs merge together
along spine
PIXIEBOB

THIS LARGE BREED RESEMBLES THE WILD BOBCAT OF NORTH AMERICA

Place of origin US This relatively new breed has a similar Powerfully built, with a swaggering air,
Date of origin 1980s appearance to the bobcat, native to the Pixiebobs are active and athletic. However,
Breed registries TICA mountains of the Pacific coast. The they are also relaxed and sociable cats that
Weight range 9–18lb (4–8kg) resemblance is deliberate—the Pixiebob’s take happily to family life, enjoy playing with
Grooming characteristics having been developed by older children, and are usually tolerant of
breeders catering for a growing fashion in other pets. Pixiebobs like being with people
Colors and patterns domestic cats that look like their wild and many enjoy outdoor walks on a lead.
Brown spotted tabby only. cousins. Lynxlike features include a thick,
double tabby-spotted coat that stands out FAMILY CHARACTERISTICS
from the body; tufted ears; a heavy brow;
The kitten seen below has its mother’s short hair
and facial hair that grows in sideburns. but the bobtail and polydactyly (extra toes) of
The tail varies in length and may be long its longhaired father (main photos). This is
and brushlike, although only short-tailed the only breed in which polydactyly is allowed
in show cats.
cats are eligible for showing. A shorthaired
variation of the Pixiebob (p.116) creates
much the same wildcat illusion.
The founding father of this breed was
an exceptionally tall, bobtailed tabby that
bred with an ordinary domestic female
cat, sired bobtailed kittens with a special
look—one of them, christened Pixie,
passed her name to the breed.