The Pixiebob is a man-made cat breed. Breeders wanted to create a domestic cat that looks like a lynx, and the result was the “pixie-bob” (a short-tailed pixie). The new breed really does resemble a wild forest dweller, even though its personality is completely domestic.
History of the Breed
The Pixiebob comes from the US. In the spring of 1985, in Washington State, cat fancier Carol Ann Brewer bought an unusual kitten: it had extra toes (polydactyly) and a short bobbed tail. A year later, she rescued another short-tailed cat. He was very large, nearly knee-high, and weighed 17.5 lb, even though he was emaciated. In size, he could rival Maine Coons.
These two unique cats produced a female kitten who became the foundation of the new breed. She was named Pixie. She had dark spots on a fawn background with a reddish tint, and her face looked a lot like a lynx’s. A year later, Brewer started a breeding program for the new Pixiebob breed.
Pixiebob Breed Description
Female Pixiebobs are medium-sized, while males are more imposing and massive. They keep growing until 4 years old, while ordinary cats stop growing at about 1 year. Weight also depends on sex: females weigh about 11 lb, and males can reach 22 lb.
The main features that set the Pixiebob apart from, for example, the American Bobtail are its pear-shaped head and its triangular eyes with heavy lids. Its most unique trait is polydactyly.
Let’s look at the detailed Pixiebob breed standard of The International Cat Association (TICA):
- Head: shaped like an upside-down pear, medium to large, with a powerful chin, a full, broad muzzle shaped like an even diamond, fleshy rounded whisker pads, and lynx-like sideburns;
- Ears: medium height, broad, set deep, tilted slightly forward, with rounded tips; tufts are desirable, especially in longhairs; a pale thumbprint on the back of the ear;
- Eyes: medium-sized, shaped like a soft triangle, with heavy lids and thick brows; set deep. Kittens are born with blue eyes, but by 7 months they change to gold, brown, or gooseberry green;
- Nose: broad, slightly convex, with a slight bump; brick-colored skin;
- Body: powerful, medium to large, with prominent shoulder blades; the hip line is slightly higher than the shoulders; the hips are medium-width and prominent; a broad chest and a hanging belly;
- Legs: long, with the hind legs slightly longer than the front legs; muscular, with heavy bones and large, fleshy toes; polydactyly is allowed, up to 7 toes per paw;
- Tail: at least 2 in long, and at most reaching the hock (with the leg extended). A tail with kinks and curls is desirable;
- Coat: up to 2 in long in longhairs; there are also shorthairs. In all of them, the fur on the belly is longer, as in the Kurilian Bobtail.
Color
In the next photo, you can see what a Pixiebob looks like:
Pixiebobs come in all shades of brown spotted tabby, mouse-gray, with reverse ticking (where the hair tips are light rather than dark), and with a light throat and belly. The shades can change with the season and shedding (ginger, red, and brown tones).
A detailed description of the pattern:
- The paw pads are usually dark brown or black.
- The tail tip should also be chocolate or black.
- There’s a white or cream ring around the eyes. Dark “mascara lines” run from the outer corner of the eye down the cheeks.
- There’s a dark “M” on the forehead.
- The whiskers may be dark at the base and white at the tips.
- Small and medium spots are scattered over the body, their color muted by the ticking. The belly is spotted too.
Personality
According to owners, Pixiebobs are very devoted to their people, and they get along well with kids and other animals. But they’re not used to sharing their owner with anyone else. Owners have a funny name for them: “dogs in disguise.”
It’s true: Pixiebobs are just as attached to their owner as dogs, they’re easy to train, and they quickly get used to walking on a leash. These curious, sociable animals love to chat and, when needed, even growl. During play, they may head-butt, chase a ball, fetch toys, and even respond to human commands.
The Pixiebob only looks wild and grumpy because of its thick brows. In reality, these are very affectionate cats. They aren’t aggressive at all and very rarely bite or scratch.
Care and Health
Overall, the Pixiebob is a healthy breed. Its average lifespan is 13 years or more. Genetic diseases are uncommon. Still, over the breed’s 35-plus years of official existence, a few cases of reproductive problems and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have been recorded.
How can you tell if your cat is predisposed to these diseases? If one of your cat’s parents had HCM, your cat needs a yearly heart ultrasound to check its health.
Pixiebobs can be sensitive to certain vaccines, so always talk to your vet before vaccination.
The key to your cat’s health is a normal weight. So feed your Pixiebob only twice a day, preferably with high-quality dry food.
Even shorthaired Pixiebobs have a very thick coat. So brush them at least once a week to remove dead hair and keep the coat healthy and shiny. Also trim your cat’s claws regularly and clean its teeth and ears. Bathe no more than once a month.
Our Take on the Breed
If you dream of a companion cat, we recommend this friendly, self-sufficient breed. Cats are usually a closed book, but not Pixiebobs: they’re open and friendly. Owners note their devotion and restraint.
The Pixiebob expresses its emotions with sounds. But don’t expect the usual meow. Pixiebobs make special chest sounds found only in this breed.
They’re also terrible conservatives and don’t like it when something or someone changes, from the wallpaper in the room to the color of their owner’s hair.
Although it’s robustly healthy, the Pixiebob is still predisposed to one disease: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, in which the heart muscle (myocardium) thickens. You can catch the disease early by regularly checking your cat’s heart with an ultrasound.
Reviews From Pixiebob Owners
Alina: “It seems that in Pixiebobs, the missing tail was replaced with some kind of purring mechanism. At least, my Curry purrs and burbles all the time, and if you pick him up!!! Tractors would be jealous! We got lucky, and Curry grew tufts on his ears, so all our friends are convinced we have a baby lynx at home. By the way, not every Pixiebob grows tufts. And some have ‘mitten’ paws with six or even seven toes.”
Pyotr: “I got the cat from a friend who, after his divorce, couldn’t keep a pet because he was always busy. Since I’m a freelancer, I ended up taking him. But I have to say, I haven’t regretted my kindness for a minute. A cat of the rare Pixiebob breed with the exotic name Afanasy has become my house elf. I want to hurry home to him in the evening, and he needs looking after. If he could also cook dinner, I’d never get married. A real man’s cat!”
Polina: “Crazy is my Pixiebob. I didn’t name her that right away. At first she was Kami, but one week of living together showed who was who. The future Crazy raced across the walls and ceiling, knocked flowerpots off the windowsill, and pulled keys off the piano. Of course, I’m exaggerating a little, but believe me, only a little. To this day (Crazy is almost 3 now)… almost nothing has changed. Actually, the craziness has only grown: now Crazy not only turns the place upside down, she sings while doing it! Her voice would make opera divas jealous, so you can imagine our usual madhouse. But when Crazy isn’t tearing the apartment to shreds, she turns into the sweetest cat, who never puts out her claws, never hisses, and isn’t picky about food.”
How Much Does a Pixiebob Cost?
In the US, a pet-quality Pixiebob kitten from a registered breeder typically costs $1,000 to $3,000. Show and breeding kittens can cost $5,000 or more.
The price depends on sex, pedigree, and how closely the kitten matches the standard. Kittens with a short natural bobtail and extra toes cost more, and a kitten from an elite cattery will cost more too.
Where to Buy a Pixiebob in the US
The Pixiebob is an American breed, and most catteries are in the Pacific Northwest, where it was developed. The breed is registered by TICA, so start with TICA’s breeder listings – https://tica.org/find-a-cat/find-a-cat-breeder-listings/.
Some US Pixiebob catteries:
- Forest Hunter Pixie Bobs (Seattle area, Washington; TICA) – http://www.foresthunter.com/;
- Cascade Pixiebobs (Pacific Northwest).
