The
Pixie-Bob is thought to have originally developed from the
naturally occurring crosses of barn cats to Bobcats in Washington
state, where the Coastal Red Bobcat thrives. A number of
these "natural hybrid" kittens were discovered
and became the foundation for the Pixie-Bob breed. Pixie-Bobs
going back to these original lines are called "Blue
List." Selective breeding has produced a large boned
and loving cat with the personality and devotion of a faithful
dog. They bond very strongly to their family and get along
well with other animals and children.
Pixie-Bobs
have a thick double coat that stand up off the body having
"loft". The texture is quite wooly reminiscent
of a Bobcat and comes in both shorthair and longhair.
The longhaired Pixie-Bobs have a softer texture to the
coat, and the coat length is medium. Both long and shorthaired
Pixie-Bobs should have substantial boning, a tall rangy
body with incredible muscle tone and large thick toes.
Polydactyl cats are allowed for showing with a maximum
of 7 toes per foot. Males average 20 pounds with females
averaging about 14. They keep growing for 2 to 3 years.
The Pixie-Bobs' face counts for 50 out of 100 points in
a cat show and gives the Pixie-Bob it's unusual Bobcat
look. Small almond shaped eyes, a thick fleshy chin, puffy
nose, leather, heavy brow, lynx tipped ears and an inverted
pear shaped head are features sought after in a show cat.
The natural bob-tail can vary in length with the ideal
being 4 - 6" on an adult cat and its frequently kinked
, but should have flexibility and natural movement.
The
Pixie-Bob comes in various shades of spotted and mackerel
tabby ranging from a dove gray, tawny, through to a reddish
brown, with small spots or rosettes. Extreme ticking should
obscure the markings for a true Bobcat look. Sometimes
kittens are born with a "classic" tabby pattern
and these are usually sold as pets. Only colors found
naturally in Bobcats can be used in a breeding program.
These
"dogs in disguise" are unusual in both looks
and personality and are on of the largest breeds of registered
show-able cats.
Article
reprinted with permission from Tracey Semchison
