Family-friendly:5/5Playfulness:4/5Intelligence:4/5Tendency to Vocalise: 3/5Likes Other Pets:4/5Grooming needs:2/5Shedding:4/5

Pixiebob

Q: History and Origins

Country of Origin: United States, WashingtonThe Pixiebob was the vision of one breeder, Carol Ann Brewer, who purchased a polydactyl, bobtailed kitten with wild-type spotting, in 1985. She found another, larger male in 1986 who had similar characteristics, and he sired a female kitten with the requisite features later that year who was named Pixie. From this basis, Carol Ann set out to purchase and breed more cats with this miniature bobcat appearance, producing a breed standard for her new breed in 1989, and naming them Pixiebob after her founding female.

The Pixiebob is a large cat with a stocky, robust build. Resembling the North American Bobcat in miniature, the Pixiebob has a muscular body, pear shaped face with tufted ears, and a woolly coat that stands out from the body.

The Pixiebob typically has a short, even non-existent tail, however this varies from cat to cat and they can have any length of tail.

Pixiebobs are typically short haired, however long-haired kittens do occur, this is also one of the few breeds that allow polydactyl (extra toes) within the breed standard – a maximum of seven toes is permitted on each paw.

Lifespan

13 - 15 years

Weight

3.6 - 7.7kg

Colours

Coat is a light tan to reddish brown, with a black spotted pattern closely resembling that of the wild Bobcat.

The need-to-know

Benefits from an experienced owner
Needs high-level of enrichment including simulated hunting games and interactive play
Highly active and inquisitive cat
Sociable and dependent cat

Slightly talkative cat
Larger stockier cat breed
Requires grooming every day
Needs extensive outdoor space

Great family cat
Can be regularly left for a few hours
Can cope with a busy household

Generally healthy breed

Some Pixiebob cats are polydactyl, meaning that they are born with an extra toes on either their front or back feet. This can cause problems as the extra toes may not be attached to the feet properly and
may not be fully functioning, making them more prone to injury. Because of this, encouraging extra toes in breeding is not recommended.

Vet Rating

Family-friendly:	5/5
Playfulness:	4/5
Intelligence:	4/5
Tendency to Vocalise:	3/5
Likes Other Pets:	4/5
Grooming needs:	2/5
Shedding:	4/5

Personality

Social and active, the Pixiebob gets along well with human and pet family members alike. Strongly devoted to their people, this is a curious and intelligent cat who will really love getting involved in family activity, whether that’s filing tax returns or making the bed, as a Pixiebob loves to ‘help’. Despite this helpful nature, the Pixiebob is quite a laid-back cat, enjoying lap time and snuggling in bed. They can also be quite chatty, communicating in a series of chirrups, chirps, beeps and grumbles.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: United States, Washington

The Pixiebob was the vision of one breeder, Carol Ann Brewer, who purchased a polydactyl, bobtailed kitten with wild-type spotting, in 1985. She found another, larger male in 1986 who had similar characteristics, and he sired a female kitten with the requisite features later that year who was named Pixie. From this basis, Carol Ann set out to purchase and breed more cats with this miniature bobcat appearance, producing a breed standard for her new breed in 1989, and naming them Pixiebob after her founding female.

Outdoors or Indoors

Secure outdoor space is a must for this long-legged, muscular and active cat. A cat-proofed garden or if this is not possible, a purpose-built cat-run, will meet their needs. They will enjoy tree branches and climbing poles and a variety of resting stations around the outdoor area, so that they may survey their kingdom!

Access to outdoor space will give your Pixiebob the opportunity to sunbathe, dust-bath, and exercise, and will help keep your cat in top condition, physically and mentally. They are a theft risk so gardens must be secure.

Enrichment and Specific Needs

The Pixiebob will enjoy some outlet for climbing, relaxing at various levels, and food dispensing toys that recreate hunting activities. Surprisingly trainable, Pixiebobs can be taught to walk out on a lead and harness and will respond well to clicker training and food-reward based games. Their friendly and curious nature means they are better off with plenty of human company, so while they will be fine whilst owners work, they will be unhappy if left longer.

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in their diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Grooming Pixiebob

Whilst the short haired Pixiebob only needs a weekly groom to check through the coat and as a sensible handling/bonding routine, the longer coated type will need grooming more frequently.

A greasy coat is a sign your cat is not self-grooming at all and this may indicate poor health.

As with all cats, regular vaccination and parasite control is recommended.

Suitability for Family Life

The Pixiebob is a good breed for families who spend a lot of time at home, and with older children who understand a cats’ need for respect and careful, thoughtful handling. They’ll enjoy playing games and fetching toys, as well as curling up on laps, but as with most cats, will find a very frenetic, loud household quite stressful.