| Kurilian Bobtail | |
|---|---|
 A semi-long-haired specimen | |
| Other names | Kuril Islands Bobtail, Kurilean Bobtail Kuril Bobtail, Curilsk Bobtail |
| Origin |  Russia |
| Breed standards | |
| FIFe | standard |
| TICA | standard |
| WCF | standard |
| Notes | |
Some registries divide Kurilians into separate shorthair and longhair breeds. | |
| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
| Nicknames | pumpkin |
|---|---|
| Traits | |
| Weight |
|
| Coat | double layered |
| Color | red to grey to yellow to brown |
| Litter size | 2 to 3 |
| Lifespan | 15-20 years |
| Fur type | short to semi-longhair |
| Bobtail | 2 to 5 inches |
TheKurilian Bobtail is acat breed (or breed group, depending on registry) originating from the RussianKuril Islands, as well asSakhalin Island and theKamchatka peninsula of Russia.[1][2] Short- or long-haired, it has a semi-cobby body type and a distinct short, fluffy tail. The back is slightly arched with hind legs longer than the front, similar to those of theManx.[2] The breed is also called theKuril Islands Bobtail,Kuril Bobtail (both often misspelled "Kurile") andCurilsk Bobtail, and may be referred to without "Bobtail". It is sometimes also spelledKurilean.[3] The original short-haired variant is anatural breed,[2][3] known on the islands for over 200 years.[2] Asselectively bred pets, they have been popular in USSR and to some extent other parts of Europe, especially for their rodent-hunting abilities, since the middle of the 20th century,[2] but remained rare in North America[2] as of 2011[update].
Kurilians are recognized as a breed group of a pair related short- and [semi-]long-haired breeds byThe International Cat Association (TICA), which considers them "Advanced New Breeds" ineligible for championship status,[4] as of 2011[update]) and by theFédération Internationale Féline (FIFe). TheWorld Cat Federation (WCF) recognizes them as a single breed.[citation needed] As of 2011[update], theCat Fanciers' Association (CFA) did not recognize the breed at all.
While possibly closely related to theJapanese Bobtail breed – both share the same kind of kinked, short tail, but the Japanese is leaner, more angular and less cobby[1][5] – the Kurilian originated on the opposite side ofEurasia from the similarly namedKarelian Bobtail of western Russia and Finland, and is thus unlikely to be a near relative. Genetic studies may eventually demonstrate the breed's connection to others. Just as the Japanese Bobtail and tailless-to-short-tailedManx arose independently on islands a world apart, the Kurilian's bobbed tail may be an isolated spontaneousmutation that became common on the Kuril and Sakhalin islands because of the limitedgenetic diversity ofisland biogeography (an example of thefounder effect and, at the sub-specific level, of thespecies-area curve).
This new breed is not well known outside of its native territories. Though it is a native to Japan with a long history on a chain of islands, known as the Kurils, that runs from the easternmost point of Russia to the tip of Japan's Hokkaido Island. Also known as the Kuril Bobtail or the Curilsk Bobtail, because the Kuril Islands are Russian-owned, this breed is being developed and promoted as a Russian aboriginal breed that is separate and distinct from the Japanese Bobtail. There are several versions of the origin of the breed. The main origin of the breed is considered to be from a mixture (crossbreeding) ofJapanese Bobtail cats withSiberian cats brought by sailors to theKuril Islands. It was adopted by the WCF in 1994.[citation needed]
In the wild, this cat is an excellent fisher and hunter, which may explain why the Kurilian loves to play in water. The Kurilian's wild look is not reflected in the temperament of the breed. It is known for its clever and gentle nature.
The variety is mostly known for its distinctive "pom-pom" kinked, short tail. Short- or longhaired, it has a distinct short, fluffy tail ranging from 2 to 10 vertebrae. The back is slightly arched, with hind legs longer than the front,.[1] It has a medium to large, substantial,[1] muscular build and rounded-rectangular, wide face.[1] Eye colors conform to the color of the coat. The colors yellow, green, and yellow-green are preferred. There are semi-longhair and shorthair Kurilians. All colors without colorpoint and solid are allowed. Part of the reason for its rarity is that there are just two or three kittens in a litter. The most common coat colors are in red, to grey, to bobtail stripes.[1] The lifespan of a Kurilian Bobtail ranges from 15 to 20 years, owing to their breed's being developed in the wild.
