Description: Pixie Bob
The Pixie Bob is a unique domestic cat breed, instantly recognizable by its wild appearance reminiscent of the North American bobcat. Despite their striking look, there is no verified wildcat ancestry in this breed. Pixie Bobs are renowned for their short, bobbed tails, tufted ears, and muscular build. They have a loving, dog-like personality and often bond closely with their families. This breed is intelligent, social, and adapts well to various lifestyles, making it an excellent companion for families and singles alike. Pixie Bobs are known for their playful nature and gentle disposition, often displaying loyalty similar to that of dogs. They have a soft, thick coat that can be short or long, with spotting that enhances their wild look. Overall, Pixie Bobs are affectionate, interactive, and playful cats that make distinctive and endearing pets.
Pixie Bob ratings
Properties
The Pixie Bob is a distinctive domestic cat breed that originated in the United States in the 1980s. The breed’s development began when breeder Carol Ann Brewer acquired a cat she named Pixie, believed to be the product of a natural bobcat-lynx and domestic cat mating. Although there is no scientific evidence backing these wild roots, the Pixie Bob has been bred over generations to resemble the North American Bobcat, both in appearance and temperament, while remaining completely domestic.
Pixie Bobs are medium to large cats, with males typically being larger and more muscular than females. Their weight ranges from 8 to 17 pounds, with some individuals reaching even larger sizes. They have a muscular, athletic body, a deep chest, and a broad, powerful look. One of the breed’s most distinctive features is its naturally short “bobbed” tail, which can range from 1 to 6 inches, sometimes appearing kinked or knotted. Not all Pixie Bobs have the same tail length, but the presence of a short tail is a defining trait.
Their coat comes in both shorthair and longhair varieties, with a soft, woolly texture. The coloration is usually a brown spotted tabby, with a pattern of stripes and spots mimicking the wild bobcat. Eyes are typically gold or green and are set underneath a heavy brow, giving a wild and expressive look. Polydactylism (extra toes) is relatively common and allowed in the breed standard.
Pixie Bobs are intelligent, inquisitive, and highly interactive with their families. They are known for their dog-like personalities, often following their owners from room to room, fetching toys, and readily learning tricks. Despite their wild heritage, they are usually gentle, patient, and calm, making them suitable for families with children and other pets. They are relatively quiet but can communicate through a unique range of chirps, chitters, and occasional meows.
Care requirements for the Pixie Bob are moderate. They need regular brushing, especially the longhaired variety, to prevent mats and tangles. Their overall health is excellent, and they are not prone to many hereditary problems. Because of their social and intelligent nature, Pixie Bobs thrive in homes where they receive plenty of attention and mental stimulation. This breed is recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) and remains popular among those seeking an affectionate, playful, and distinctly unique feline companion.
Appearance
The Pixie Bob is a distinctive domestic cat breed whose appearance is often compared to that of the North American bobcat, though it is not directly related and has no wild blood in its pedigree. This breed is medium to large in size, with females generally weighing between 8-12 pounds and males reaching up to 17 pounds. Its body is muscular and substantial, exuding an impression of strength and wildness, yet it is highly domesticated and gentle in nature. One of the most notable features is its tail, which is naturally bobbed — this means that the tail is shorter than that of most other cats, ranging from 1 to 6 inches in length. The tail may be straight, slightly curved, kinked, or even have knots, and it gives the breed its unique 'bobbed' look.
The coat of the Pixie Bob is another defining characteristic. It comes in both short and longhair varieties, but the texture is always dense and double-coated, providing a plush and slightly woolly feeling. The coloring typically follows a brown spotted tabby pattern. The spots can vary in size and shape, sometimes forming streaks or rosettes, but should always be present. The background coat color is usually a grayish, tawny, or reddish brown, often highlighted with ticking. Markings include a distinct M-shaped marking on the forehead, bold stripes on the cheeks and legs, as well as darker spotting on the belly.
The head of the Pixie Bob is medium to large, with a prominent, slightly rounded forehead and bushy eyebrows. Eyes are expressive, deeply set, and can be gold, green, or gooseberry in hue. They sit beneath a heavy brow, giving the cat a naturally serious or intense expression. The ears are medium-sized, set wide apart, and may have lynx-like tufts at the tips — a tribute to its wild appearance. The muzzle is broad and well developed, with a fleshy whisker pad and a large, downward-slanting nose leather. Whiskers are usually long and thick. Paw structure further adds to the impressions of wildness, as Pixie Bobs often exhibit polydactylism — having extra toes — especially on the front paws.
In summary, the Pixie Bob’s appearance is evocative of a wild bobcat in a well-muscled, short-tailed, domesticated cat. Its unique combination of patterning, bobbed tail, substantial build, and expressive features make it a standout breed in the feline world.
History
The Pixie-bob is a North American domestic cat breed that is distinctive for its resemblance to the wild bobcat, both in appearance and, to a lesser degree, in behavior. However, despite these similarities, the Pixie-bob is considered a fully domestic cat, and there is currently no scientific evidence to suggest that it has recent bobcat ancestry. The breed originated in the 1980s in Washington State, USA, through the dedicated efforts of breeder Carol Ann Brewer.
In spring 1985, Brewer purchased a large, bobtailed, polydactyl male cat with a spotted coat from a neighbor in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. She named him Keba. That same year, Brewer adopted another similar-looking male kitten from the wild who also had the characteristic bobbed tail and distinctive markings. These two cats, along with a local spotted, bobtailed female named "Pixie," became the foundation cats for the breed.
Pixie, the breed’s namesake, was born in 1986 from breeding Keba to a neighbor’s cat that also had visual similarities to the bobcat. Brewer bred Pixie back to her father and other cats with comparable characteristics, aiming to fix the breed traits, specifically the spotted coat, bobbed tail, polydactyl toes, and muscular build. Over time, a small gene pool of similar feral and barn cats from the region was incorporated, helping to maintain the breed's distinguishing features while increasing genetic diversity.
In the 1990s, Brewer and other enthusiasts standardized the Pixie-bob’s traits and began documenting pedigrees. The breed was recognized by The International Cat Association (TICA) in 1994 for exhibition and achieved championship status in 1998. Laboratory tests and TICA registration rules confirm that Pixie-bobs are fully domestic cats, without recent wild bobcat genes. Their wild appearance comes from careful selection of naturally occurring domestic cats with the right look, rather than hybridization with wild species.
Today, the breed is regarded for its gentle, dog-like temperament, loyalty, and strong bonds with their families, making the Pixie-bob a popular companion animal with a uniquely wild allure.