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CATS CAT BREEDS
Kurilian Bobtail: Cat Breed Profile
Characteristics, History, Care Tips, and Helpful Information for
Pet Owners
By
JACKIE BROWN
Updated on 07/12/21
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photo by Volchanskiy / Getty Images
IN THIS ARTICLE
• Characteristics
• Breed History
• Care
• Health Problems
• Diet and Nutrition
• Where to Buy or Adopt
• Further Research
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The Kurilian Bobtail cat is a Russian cat breed known for its wild appearance and short pom-
pom tail. The tail has two to 10 vertebrae and may be anywhere from about one-half inch to
about 5 inches long. The tail kinks or curves in a variety of directions lending different looks to
the tail, which are described by the breed standard as “snag”, “spiral” or “whisk.” Like
fingerprints or snowflakes, no two Kurilian Bobtail tails are alike.
A compact and hefty cat, the medium to large-sized Kurilian Bobtail has a solid build and
substantial boning. The Kurilian Bobtail is what is known as a natural breed, meaning it initially
developed on its own without human intervention. It comes in a variety of traditional solid or
tabby colors, with or without white markings.
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The Kurilian Bobtail’s look might be similar to a wild cat, but this breed is exceedingly gentle
and friendly. Active and outgoing, Kurilian Bobtails are charming companions that love to
cuddle and play. Thanks to its exceptionally easy-going personality, the Kurilian Bobtail gets
along with everyone, including gentle children. That laidback attitude extends to the animal
kingdom as well; the Kurilian Bobtail typically co-exists peacefully with family pets including
other cats and friendly dogs.
Breed Overview
WEIGHT: About 8 to 15 pounds
LENGTH: About 14 to 18 inches
COAT: Short or semi-long; silky and flat with moderate undercoat
COAT COLOR: A variety of traditional colors in solid or tabby, with or
without white
EYE COLOR: Any color, including blue or odd-eyed
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 15 to 20 years
Ekaterina Gorokhova / Getty Images
Characteristics of the Kurilian Bobtail
Affection Level High
Friendliness High
Kid-Friendly High
Pet-Friendly High
Exercise Needs Medium
Playfulness High
Energy Level High
Intelligence High
Tendency to Vocalize High
Amount of Shedding Medium
photo by Volchanskiy / Getty Images
History of the Kurilian Bobtail
The Kurilian Bobtail hails from the Russian Kamchatka peninsula and Russia’s islands of
Sakhalin and Kuril. Though no one knows for sure exactly how old the breed is, the Kurilian
Bobtail developed naturally on the islands at least 200 years ago. The unique cat with a
distinctive tail caught the eye of visiting explorers (possibly scientists or military personnel), and
they brought some of the cats back with them to central Russia in the mid-1900s. Russians
appreciated their fine hunting skills and put them to work dispatching rodents. The breed spread
to Europe, but is largely unknown in North America.
The Kurilian Bobtail is recognized by the International Cat Association. In 2012, the breed was
granted championship status by TICA, which allows cats to compete in cat shows for titles.
Kurilian Bobtail Care
The Kurilian Bobtail comes in two coat varieties: short and long (which is described as semi-
longhaired by the breed standard). In both coat types, the soft, silky hair lies flat and has a
moderate undercoat. In the shorthaired variety, the tail coat is the same length as the hair on the
body. Semi-longhaired Kurilians have a full and plumed tail. The Kurilian Bobtail’s silky coat
resists matting so it is easy to care for, requiring weekly brushing with soft slicker brush to
remove loose hair. The occasional bath will keep the coat feeling clean and soft. Shedding is low
to moderate; brush more frequently to keep shedding to a minimum. Trim your Kurilian
Bobtail’s nails every two weeks and check inside the ears weekly. If you see any redness or
notice any odor, or if your cat is shaking its head or scratching at the ears, schedule an
appointment with your veterinarian. If the ears appear dirty, clean with a pet ear cleaner using a
cotton ball and or gauze (never use a cotton swab to clean a cat’s ear).
Kurilian Bobtails are highly intelligent and love learning new things. You might be surprised to
learn that Kurilian Bobtails can easily be taught tricks. It’s also simple to teach your Kurilian
Bobtail the house rules, though your cat may or may not choose to follow them. In general, the
breed is easy to live with and fun to be around.
Kurilian Bobtails are naturally quite active, but you can help your cat get enough exercise and
indoor enrichment by providing places to climb and perch like cat trees and kitty condos, and
engaging your cat in fun play by teasing with feather wands, tossing toy mice and playing with
interactive toys. To allow your cat to enjoy scratching, which is a natural behavior, provide a
variety of acceptable scratching surfaces. Some cats like to scratch vertically (as with scratching
posts or cat trees) and other prefer to scratch horizontally (as with cardboard or sisal scratchers
that lie on the ground).
Common Health Problems
Although some pedigreed cat breeds are prone to developing certain genetically-linked diseases,
the Kurilian Bobtail is extremely healthy and currently has no known health concerns.
Responsible breeders choose their breeding stock carefully and avoid breeding cats with any
health issues. Many reputable breeders also offer a health guarantee of some kind.
Diet and Nutrition
Obesity is a concern among cats in general. Cats should not be overfed or allowed to become
overweight. Keeping your Kurilian Bobtail at an ideal weight can reduce the incidence of certain
health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. Feed your Kurilian Bobtail measured
amounts of food at regular meal times (twice a day for adult cats). Free-feeding (leaving food out
all day), leads to mindless snacking, which can contribute to an overweight cat. Ask your breeder
or veterinarian to recommend a healthy food for your Kurilian Bobtail cat.
10 Best Russian Cat Breeds
Pros
• Low-maintenance coat
• Affectionate, friendly and outgoing
• Good with other pets, including dogs
Cons
• Rare; hard to find
• Needs a lot of attention
• Doesn’t do well if left alone
Where to Adopt or Buy a Kurilian Bobtail
If you’re thinking about buying a Kurilian Bobtail kitten, consider visiting a local cat show,
where you can see many different cat breeds and connect with reputable breeders. To find a cat
show in your area, do an internet search for “cat show near me." Reach out to breeders even if
you’re hoping to rescue. Because the breed is so rare, it’s unlikely that you might find a Kurilian
Bobtail at your local animal shelter. The International Cat Association maintains a list of active
breeders on its website.
More Cat Breeds and Further Research
If you like the Kurilian Bobtail cat, you might also like these cat breeds:
• Japanese Bobtail
• Pixie-Bob
• Siberian Cat
Otherwise, check out all of our other cat breed articles to help you find the perfect cat for you
and your family.
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