Kurilian Bobtail

Like many other cat breeds, the Kurilian Bobtail is a naturally occurring breed that developed without human intervention. They adapted to their environment and developed characteristics that will allow them to thrive. Their history goes back at least 200 years on the Russian Kuril archipelago. The island’s remote location allowed these cats to develop with little to no outside influence. In the earliest days, the Kurilian Bobtail was kept for its sublime hunting skills. They are natural hunters with strong prey instincts. This is a widely accepted and registered breed, but their numbers are still pretty small here in the US.

Many physical and mental characteristics make Kurilian Bobtails so attractive to cat owners across the globe. Since this is a pureblooded cat, it will pass consistent characteristics to its offspring. Here are some of the main physical characteristics you will surely notice.

Coat

The first thing most of us notice when looking at a cat is its coat. As we already mentioned, the Kurilian Bobtail can have a short or long double coat. They developed it as a way of insulating themselves from harsh weather conditions.

Coat color

As you can imagine, the Kurilian Bobtail comes in many different coat colors and patterns. They can be solid or tabby, and one of our favorites is a silver streak on their coats. They can even have white markings.

Size

The Kurilian Bobtail is considered a medium-sized cat. They usually measure 8 - 15 pounds, and males are usually larger than females.

Temperament

Even more important than the cat’s physical characteristics is its temperament. It makes no sense to have a beautiful cat with a wild temperament. These cats might have developed in the wild, but they are fantastic companions that love playing in and around water. They are friendly, playful, and affectionate. They might pick their favorite person and stick to them while the rest of the family feels left out.

If you have an aquarium or a koi pond, you should keep the Kurilian Bobtail away from them. They are skilled hunters and will have no problem snapping a fish or two. These cats are usually great with kids, but as always, you need to teach your kids how to properly approach and interact with a cat.

Health

The Kurilian Bobtail is considered very healthy. This cat has one of the longest lifespans - 15 - 20 years. The main reason for that is precisely their wild development. Nevertheless, all pureblooded and mixed breed cats can be prone to specific health issues. Unfortunately, there simply isn’t enough data on this breed that might let us know which breed-specific problems they have. So, the best advice anyone can give you is to stick to regular vet visits and keep an eye on your beloved cat.

World Cat Finder Team