The Far Eastern breed of domestic cats of natural origin, the Kurilian Bobtail, has an unusual feature - a small tail that resembles a fluffy pom-pom. This cute pet is also called a lynx cat: brave, with strong bones and a wonderful character. What other advantages does this breed have?
The Kurilian Bobtail has a very friendly and docile character. A kitten of this breed makes an excellent friend for the whole family. They are smart and efficient, quickly adapt to a new environment and are very smart.
The whole truth about the Kurilian bobtel in this video! A must watch!
The Bobtail is a magnificent pet with excellent appearance and fluffy fur. The color of the animal can be different, with the exception of Siamese, lilac, tricolor, fawn and chocolate.
Key facts
The main characteristic of the Kurilian Bobtail is its tail. Outwardly, it resembles a fur ball. This trait was inherited by the breed from its Japanese neighbors.
Despite the fact that cats are proud creatures by nature, they are seriously attached to the family in which they live, but they can only have one owner. Do not pay attention to the similarity of these cats with wild predators. They are friendly and playful by nature.
Bobtails will only be welcome for children in the house. Don't want your child to be bored alone? The Kurilian Bobtail cat will take part in any game. Bobtails also treat other pets leniently, however, given their cat-like nature, you should still not let ornamental birds or rodents get close to them.
Be prepared for the fact that from time to time the bobtail will test your nerves and show excessive nobility and willfulness. Do not succumb to the furry's provocations, otherwise he will lose respect for you. The description of the Kuril Bobtail breed explains its dominance by the conditions in which the breed was bred.
The health and life expectancy of the Kuril Bobtail are encouraging: seals live up to 15 years, and there are also those individuals that have reached the 17-18 year mark.
How to choose a kitten
Purchasing a Kurilian Bobtail kitten is a responsible step that requires intuition and attentiveness from you! It is important to notice among the frolicking kittens exactly the one who will catch your heart. At the same time, you should not listen to either the words of the breeder or the advice of friends and relatives: this is your pet, so you only need to rely on your own premonitions.
The ideal age for purchasing a Kurilian Bobtail is three months. It is at this time that the baby begins to show independence and gradually weanses the habit of maternal care. In addition, a three-month-old “smoker” already has fairly balanced psychological health, so he quickly gets used to new family members.
If the pedigree of the future pet plays an important role, ask the breeder to introduce you to the necessary documentation or, more preferably, to the parents of the babies. This is one of the easiest ways to understand what to expect from your bobtail. The breeder is not talkative and does not demonstrate a desire to tell as much as possible about his charges? This is an alarming sign: it means he has something to hide from curious and persistent buyers like you.
When choosing a kitten, you should focus on its behavior among its brothers. Is your baby active and cheerful, happily getting involved in play and showing healthy curiosity towards you? This is your pet! Refrain from buying lethargic and timid kittens: this may lead to unpleasant consequences in the future.
History of the origin of the Kuril Bobtail
The southern part of the Kuril Islands is a well-known place. For many years, Japan and Russia defended their rights in this territory. However, the Russian Federation still remained their rightful owner. The country received not only a piece of land in the Far East, but also the right to be considered the homeland of one of the most unusual cat breeds.
Most felinologists believe that bobtails descended from those short-tailed cats that inhabited the islands since the 18th century. Their distant relatives were wild cats, which appeared thanks to the union of Siberian cats and Japanese bobtails. Their story also deserves special attention.
In Japan, bobtails are considered a symbol of good luck, as evidenced by ancient beliefs. People treat representatives of this breed with respect, give them to each other on major holidays, and sometimes even overprotect them. The origin of these animals is no less sacred. Their ancestors are considered to be white cats that lived in temples and guarded the followers of Buddha.
The Japanese often brought their animals to the Kuril Islands as part of military or other expeditions. They were even used as guards on farms where fur-bearing animals were bred. However, cats are not animals that will obey in everything. They are too proud for this. It is for this reason that many Japanese bobtails simply ran away from their owners into the wild nature of the Kuril Islands.
Generations passed, and bobtails acquired new features that helped them adapt to the harsh nature. Now these cats were no longer afraid of water, their claws were no longer hidden in soft paws, and the animals themselves became much larger, which allowed them to hunt larger game.
Siberian cats came to these lands along with settlers. They made friends surprisingly easily with their Japanese brothers, who by that time had completely gone wild. Time passed, the breeds mixed until the familiar Kuril Bobtails saw the light of day.
However, local residents did not immediately notice that a new breed had formed literally before their eyes. Therefore, the selection of Kuril Bobtail cats began a little later. Felinologists paid attention to the Kurilians only towards the end of the 20th century. Until this time, bobtails were mistaken for Japanese cats. No one knew then that those same furry creatures were not just feral cats from the Land of the Rising Sun, but truly something new in the already diverse fauna of the earth. But in 1991 everything changed dramatically.
At this time, the first breed standard was formed from cats brought from the Kuril Islands by the Soviet felinological organization. Tatyana Bocharova played an important role in this. She conducted research and found that the short tail of the bobtail is inherited by absolutely all descendants, which means that this is not a genetic anomaly, but a full-fledged feature of the breed.
So Kuril cats were officially registered as a separate breed in the Siberian Federal District. However, this was not enough. Now there was another question - how to achieve recognition from European organizations?
In 1994, a seminar was held at which Russian breeders asked how to refine the breed standards and achieve recognition from the international organization WCF. A year later, the breed received its recognition, and with it an explosive flurry of interest among Europeans. Bobtails have become frequent guests of exhibitions in the Czech Republic, Poland, Italy and many other countries. Nurseries opened everywhere, breeding both short-haired representatives of the breed and long-haired ones. However, the long-haired representatives quickly divided into cats with long and semi-long hair.
In 2001, the standard of the Kuril Bobtail was once again clarified, but overall remained unchanged. In 2012, the FIFe organization officially approved the independent Kuril Bobtail breed. In the same year, the breed appeared on the TICA lists.
To this day, bobtails appear in more and more places, winning the hearts of more and more people. These cats are highly valued in Europe for their kindness and devotion, and in the east, bobtails have become integral companions of hunters and fishermen, who were able to fully appreciate the hunting qualities of fluffy cats.
Breed characteristics
| Is it difficult to care for smokers? | This is an easy breed to care for. There are no particular difficulties. But it is important to properly organize her nutrition. |
| Are Kurilian Bobtails wild cats? | This is an aboriginal breed originally from the Kuril Islands. Her relatives still live on the archipelago. But not in the forests, but in the houses of local residents. |
| Why do Kuril Islands have short tails? Are they docked? | Cats of this breed are born with short tails. They are not docked. |
| Is a stubby tail a developmental defect? | A short tail is not a defect, but a naturally expressed genetic trait, a breed-forming trait. |
| They say that Kurilian Bobtails do not shed. This is true? | They shed their hair much less often than cats of other breeds. The fur sheds a lot when kittens take off their baby clothes. During other periods, molting is less noticeable. |
| Is it true that smokers do not cause allergies? | They cannot be called hypoallergenic. They shed less, but allergies are most often caused not by fur, but by an antigen secreted by cats along with saliva. |
| They say that cats of this breed do not mark territory. This is true? | Bobtails do not spray urine. But unneutered cats find other ways to check in. They scratch walls and furniture and leave puddles on the floor. Sexual abstinence can also result in health problems. If you do not plan to use the animal for breeding, it is better to castrate it. |
| Do Kurils have a Siamese cat color? | This color is prohibited by current standards. The colorpoint (Siamese) color for this breed is a waste. Such animals are excluded from breeding and castrated. |
| Where is the best place to keep them? | Adapt to life in any house or apartment. |
| How do they cope with heat and cold? | Snow and frost are a familiar environment for them. They tolerate cold and moderate heat well, just like their ancestors. |
| Does the smoke really have no smell? | Yes, they really don't smell. The ancestors of this breed are active hunters. The scent during a hunt would alert prey to the approach of predators. |
| Do I need to go for a walk? | The breed is active. Pets will be happy to frolic in nature both in summer and winter. |
| How picky are they when it comes to food? | There are no special problems with food. But they should not be given dairy products. |
| Do I need to bathe? | Most pets react calmly to water. They are easy to bathe. But don't be overzealous. Water procedures are carried out only as needed. |
| How to care for your tail? | The unusually shaped ponytail does not require special care and attention. |
| Is it possible to cross Kurils with other breeds? | Such matings are prohibited. Animals imported from the Kuril Islands require proof of importation to participate in the novice class at shows. |
| What difficulties arise in breeding? | Cats are not very fertile. They have one litter per year (an ordinary domestic cat may have 4 or 5). |
| How do smokers behave in the house? | Pets love to play. For them you need to arrange a corner with climbing frames and ladders. |
| Attitude towards children and other family members | They become attached to one person. They behave friendly with children and other family members. Good companions. They can be security guards. |
| Attitude towards other animals | In the wild they live in packs, so in the apartment they like to be in the company of their relatives. They can be friends with dogs. They prefer large dogs. |
| How long do Kurilian Bobtails live? | As a naturally occurring breed, these are strong and healthy cats that live up to 20 years. |
Advantages of the breed
- They combine the independence and charm of a wild animal with the extraordinary devotion of a domestic cat.
- An amazing pom-pom tail for cats, which is individual for each individual.
- They are easy to care for.
- Learning ability and high intelligence.
- They are trainable and quickly learn commands.
- Their cleanliness is excellent; they quickly get used to the tray.
- If you arrange a corner for your smoker to play, he will not damage the furniture with his claws.
- Males of this breed take on the same responsibility for their offspring as females.
- The best jumpers among cats.
- Good swimmers by nature. As a rule, they love water.
- The Kuriles are the greatest masters of survival.
- Excellent mousecatchers and fishermen.
- They can withstand the road better than other domestic cats.
- Well suited for families with children or people with dogs.
Disadvantages of the breed
- These are real children of nature. In childhood they are characterized by curiosity. They do not like closed doors and try to fight this obstacle in the ways available to them.
- The character is strong and strong-willed, especially in wild-colored individuals. According to the observations of breeders, they are the most independent and willful.
- The cat should not be allowed to decide that he is the boss of the house. Otherwise, he will mark his territory and cause mischief.
- Very dependent on people, strongly attached to the owner. She can follow him around and suffer in his absence.
- Can show aggression towards those who, in his opinion, threaten his beloved owner.
- You need to be careful with nutrition. It is not advisable to combine ready-made diets and natural feeding.
- High price. Show class kittens are expensive.
What does a Kurilian Bobtail look like?
The appearance of the bobtail is contrasting. Although he is not tall enough, his muscles are the envy of any other cat. Thanks to its strong muscles, the animal can run very fast and make incredible jumps. It is very easy to distinguish a female bobtail from a male, because the breed has highly developed sexual dimorphism: males are several centimeters taller than females and 2-3 kilograms heavier. In the photo of the Kurilian Bobtail you can immediately see what gender the animal is.
Muzzle
The bobtail's head is triangular, with rounded corners. The whisker pads are well defined and quite dense. The skull is flat.
The muzzle is wide and round in shape. The stop is poorly marked and almost invisible. The forehead is flat, smoothly transitioning into a wide, short nose. Its lobe is quite large and well defined. The chin is strong, with smooth outlines that are clearly visible in profile. The cheekbones are low, but not as much as in Siberian cats.
The ears are triangular, not too large. Planted far apart, high. The distance between the ears should be equal to the width of the ear itself. It may be a little more, but less is unacceptable. At the tips of the ears there are small tassels-decorations. This gives them a lynx-like appearance.
The eyes are slightly slanted, inherited from their eastern ancestors. This gives them a unique aesthetic and mysterious look. The eyes are set quite wide, on the same line. The color of the iris can be green or yellow. In the case of two-color representatives, blue eyes are acceptable. Eye color is not strictly regulated by the standard.
During the time that Japanese bobtails lived in harsh Siberia, they acquired powerful jaws. Their bite is pincer-shaped, with a full set of teeth.
Body type
What does a Kurilian Bobtail look like? His neck is covered with thin skin, under which powerful muscles are hidden. Due to the compacted coat in this area, it appears that the bobtail has a wide neck.
The body is dense, strong, however, which is typical for all types of cats, very flexible and pliable. The body is elongated, the back is arched, the croup is slightly raised.
The main distinguishing feature of the bobtail is its tail. It rises above the back. Its length varies from 3 to 13 cm depending on the length of the animal’s fur. However, even such a short tail has 4 varieties:
- The “stump” is assembled from vertebrae tightly adjacent to each other. It can either be held straight or be bent down with a hook;
- “broom” – 5-10 vertebrae, straight. 1/3 smaller than a regular tail;
- “spiral” is one of the most common among bobtails;
- The “retracted bobtail” includes 5-7 vertebrae that curl into a loop towards the tip of the tail. Considered a defect.
The shape of the pompom itself is not limited in any way in the standard, so it can and even needs to be trimmed periodically. The varieties of the Kuril Bobtail are not distinguished on this basis.
The hind legs of bobtails are much longer than the front legs. Their developed muscles allow cats to jump long distances. Bobtail paws are round, with tightly clenched toes. The claws do not retract into the pads, which is why the cat makes a scratching sound when walking, characteristic of dogs.
Coat and color
Kurilian Bobtails are divided into two types based on the length of their coat:
- Short-haired representatives have fine wool. On the tail it may be longer than on the rest of the body.
- Long-haired cats, accordingly, have longer or medium-length hair. But even they may have longer hair in the lower part of the body and on the tail. In addition, they have a puffy “collar” and “pants”.
The color of the Kurilian Bobtail can be almost any color. There are several common varieties: smoke, tricolor and tabby. The breed standards do not include chocolate, lilac, Abyssinian and Burmesse colors.
Description and appearance
The bobtail's head is large by standard, wide at the cheekbones. The eyes are oval shaped. Ears tilt forward.
Kurobobs have a rectangular muzzle and whisker pads are clearly visible. The nose is wide at the base, straight in shape, of medium length.
According to the characteristics, females of this breed are larger than males. Females weigh up to 9 kg, males - up to 5 kg.
The bobtail's head is large as standard, wide at the cheekbones
The body is distinguished by strong bones with developed muscle mass. The breed accepts short-haired and semi-long-haired varieties. Any color (black, red, blue, cream, etc.), and the number of white spots varies.
The cat's unusual tail is the calling card of the breed.
There are 4 types of tails:
- Stump - represents 2 vertebrae, fixedly connected to each other.
- Spiral - the tail consists of 3-15 vertebrae, twisting into a kind of spiral. This is one of the most common types.
- Panicle - the vertebrae are located movably or semi-movably among themselves. The tail curves form an obtuse angle.
- Retracted - tail of 5-8 vertebrae, without bends. The vertebrae have varying mobility, the latter forming a spiral at the tip of the tail.
Character of the Kurilian Bobtail
Although Kurilian Bobtails may look wild, they are actually famous for their kindness and friendliness. Even with a change of owners, the bobtail quickly gets used to the new owners. He will not sit with a sad face under the bed until you pull him out of there, but on the contrary, he will come up to you to get acquainted.
These cats are active and love when all family members participate in games. Sometimes they look more like dogs: after all, they also like to fetch toys that the owner throws for them.
This cat will love his family as devotedly as a dog would. Nothing is more important to him than his family. The animal will protect the family by taking a threatening pose and meowing menacingly. Well, the owner of the bobtail has a special place. If you are lucky and a furry guard has chosen you as his owner, be proud of it. Now he will accompany you everywhere and become an integral part of your life.
The bobtail has no complaints about other pets. He will happily share his home with either another cat or a dog. However, this does not apply to birds and rodents, which the cat will perceive exclusively as prey. A suddenly heightened natural instinct can lead to unpleasant consequences.
Although this baby looks kind and harmless, be prepared for his outbursts of pride and independence. The bobtail will definitely not want to sit in your arms for a long time, because this is not a plush toy, but a real hunter. If the owner does not pay enough attention to the animal, then soon the cat will simply begin to live by its own rules, feeling like the master of the house.
If this happens, it will not be easy to overthrow the furry tyrant from his throne. You will encounter cat protest and harmfulness. He is unlikely to limit himself to torn curtains, damaged things and broken dishes. The character of the Kurilian Bobtail will deteriorate if the owner devotes insufficient time to raising it.
Has the cat become completely lazy and almost doesn’t want to play with you anymore? Take it with you on a hike or to the countryside! There you will see your pet in a completely different light. In the fresh air, the animal will quickly remember all its hunting roots. Now there will be no time to lie on the couch all day long, because you have to catch butterflies, fight with the neighbor’s cats, and explore the territory.
Let's stop biting
It is easier to teach behavior to kids than to older dogs. Puppies are active, mobile, easily excitable, uncontrollable creatures. Such behavior in the absence of education becomes the norm. An untrained dog will be mischievous and do nasty things.
Puppies are babies. They need toys. If the baby has bitten an arm or leg, open the jaw and insert a toy. Biting people is prohibited! Household items and shoes are taken away. You can only play with toys. The little kitten will understand.
Punishments work. You can punish after the third month. Hitting, slapping with hands, or kicking is prohibited. Use a magazine, newspaper, toy. It is necessary to teach the dog prohibition commands. Disobedience is punished.
An animal that does not understand is ignored. After the bite the person leaves. If the dog bites, the game ends. The animal will understand that it hurts.
Raising a Kurilian Bobtail
Nature has not deprived bobtails of intelligence. A cat can not only guess your mood, but also understand what you are talking about. Raising such a cat is not difficult, but it is important to clearly define the boundaries. Do not hit the cat under any circumstances; it is better to explain to him that he is behaving inappropriately, in some other way. Teach him the word “no”. This will help you a lot in the future.
If your pet does violate any of the rules, have an educational conversation with him. It is important to do this as quickly as possible after committing a “crime”, otherwise the cat simply will not understand you.
As soon as the pet has matured, it begins to test the strength of its owner’s nerves and tries to take the place of the boss in the house. At this time, it is important to let him understand that you do not intend to give up your place to him, moreover, for disobedience he will be punished in the same way as always.
For people with a strong character, raising a bobtail will not cause any problems. The cat will quickly get used to the tray and scratching post and will not cause any problems.
Bobtails are also quite easy to train. Curiosity and activity help them in this. They are able not only to learn together with their owner, but also to learn from the experience of their own kind. The main thing is to make a game out of training, and then the cat will surprise you with its success.
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Advantages and disadvantages of the breed
Advantages of the Kuril Bobtail:
- attractive appearance;
- playful nature;
- good nature;
- kindness;
- equilibrium;
- obedient character;
- intelligence;
- tendency to train;
- absence of problems in education;
- cleanliness;
- lack of aggression towards children;
- ease of care.
The Kurilian Bobtail is so wonderful that I don’t even want to talk about its shortcomings. Some owners don't like their cats' tendency to dominate, but this can be attributed to improper upbringing.
Health of the Kurilian Bobtail
Possible diseases
Due to the fact that the ancestors of bobtails lived in snowy Siberia, these cats have excellent immunity. The health of the Kurilian Bobtail is enviable. However, there are several diseases that are common among this breed:
- haemorrhoids;
- rectal prolapse;
- cracks and inflammation of the anal mucosa;
- urolithiasis disease.
These cats are also not immune from infectious or parasitic diseases, so it is very important to get vaccinated on time and visit a veterinarian.
Reproductive health
A bobtail can be sterilized only after reaching 12 months. Some representatives have a hard time with anesthesia and can recover from it within several days. If you decide not to sterilize your cat, but to breed offspring, then keep in mind that a bobtail litter usually has from 3 to 8 kittens.
Health, tendency to disease
This breed has a strong immune system. Cats have good health. However, all breeds were developed due to mutations. In the Kuril Islands, these mutations were created by nature itself. The person did not even take part in consolidating breed characteristics. But any intervention in the genotype has its consequences. Therefore, even such a healthy cat as the Kurilian Bobtail is prone to diseases. They are related to the structure and origin of the bobby.
Diseases
The following diseases are typical for kurbobs:
- inflammation of the anus, hemorrhoids, occasionally prolapse of the intestine (it is believed that a short tail is a prerequisite for these diseases),
- urolithiasis (UCD) with acidic stones (in island cats the urine pH is 7–7.5, the norm for other breeds is 6–6.5, so they rarely have alkaline urolithiasis).
If a smoker has kidney problems, you should not give him food to prevent urolithiasis. It affects the pH of urine. This is harmful for the islander cat. It is better to switch him to food that restores kidney function.
Vaccination scheme
- At the age of 6–8 weeks, it is recommended to give a vaccine against FPV (panleukopenia), FVP (rhinotracheitis), FCV (calicivirus).
- At 12 weeks, an ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test is performed. If the result is negative, they are vaccinated against FelV (feline leukemia virus) and revaccinated against FPV, FVP, FCV.
- At 16 weeks they are vaccinated against rabies and revaccinated against FelV.
- Every year the animal is dewormed and vaccinated against FPV, FVP, FCV, FelV, and rabies.
Features of feeding and diet
Bobtails are completely unpretentious in food. But you shouldn’t feed him table scraps either. For a cat who regularly participates in exhibitions, the best food will be premium food. If your pet does not win medals and titles, regular food with the addition of boiled meat and vegetables will do.
There are several things that you should not feed to a representative of this breed:
- eggplants, potatoes, any legumes;
- fish;
- sweets;
- raw or fried meat;
- dairy products;
- fatty meat (pork, lamb).
You can give your pet water. If you use tap water, it needs to sit for at least 24 hours.
Education and training
Kurilian bobtails have developed intelligence, which allows animals to understand the meaning of over a thousand words! Raising a pet is not difficult: the main thing is to correctly determine the boundaries of what is acceptable. You should not raise your hand to the cat, because there are other ways to tell your pet about your dissatisfaction. A stern tone is quite enough. This tactic also works if you want to stop your bobtail from acting inappropriately. The word “no” will certainly prevent unwanted consequences.
If your pet has escaped your close attention and misbehaved, have an educational conversation as soon as possible. Otherwise, the bobtail will not understand what exactly he has done wrong.
Upon reaching a certain age, “smokers” begin to test the owner’s strength, making attempts to take a leading position in the house. At this stage of education, you will need to be able to adequately respond to the animal’s behavior and make it clear that you do not plan to cede dominance to your wayward furry friend.
Otherwise, raising Kurilian Bobtails is not difficult, especially for people with a strong character. Teaching your pets to use the tray and scratching post for their intended purpose is also not difficult.
Representatives of this breed are easy to train. Their inquisitive mind allows them to learn new tricks and adopt the skills of their tailed brothers. Turn the training process into an exciting game - and soon your bobtail will delight you with brilliant execution of commands!
Care and maintenance
Thanks to the undercoat, cats' fur rarely gets tangled, which means it does not need daily brushing. It is enough to comb out dead cat hair once or twice a week to prevent it from spreading throughout the house. This can be done either using a comb with metal teeth or using a special glove. Do not scratch your cat against the grain: this will damage its structure and create unpleasant sensations for your pet.
Bobtails love to swim, but you should not do this procedure too often. The animal's skin may dry out and the hair coat may become too thin. Neither a special conditioner nor a mild shampoo will help. Only take baths when your pet needs it. Don't forget that cats are not dogs; they never miss an opportunity to get a good lick. Don't neglect a towel after showering. Even the slightest draft for a wet baby can cause illness. It is recommended to dry the cat with a hairdryer.
Bobtails cannot fully retract their claws. However, you don't have to worry about your pet accidentally scratching you. The claws wear down while walking and also when the cat uses a scratching post. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to purchase special nail clippers. Trim your cat's claws very carefully, otherwise you risk damaging the blood vessels in them.
Check your cat's eyes regularly for dirt. They need to be washed two to four times a week, using a special solution sold in pet stores. Don’t forget about your pet’s ears, wiping them with a cotton pad with a special lotion. If this is not done, wax will accumulate in the cat's ears, which can cause infectious diseases.
You need to brush your cat's teeth at least once a week. Never use human toothpaste. To avoid torturing yourself and your pet by using a regular toothbrush, get a special thimble with bristles. In general, caring for and maintaining the Kurilian Bobtail will not cause much trouble.
Bobtail care
Caring for a Kuril breed cat includes a standard set of hygiene procedures, regardless of the length of the coat and other individual characteristics. The only difference: a short-haired cat creates fewer problems during shedding.
- The owner of a purebred animal must periodically inspect the ears. To remove dirt, use a regular cotton pad and a special lotion (you can buy it at a pet store), which allows you to carefully clean the ears of wax, and at the same time carry out effective disinfection.
- No special care is required for the eyes; a smart cat copes with this hygiene procedure on its own. If brownish accumulations are detected in the corner of the eyes, you can carefully clean them with cotton wool dipped in warm tea without brewing or in a special solution.
- To trim overgrown claws, a nail cutter is a practical tool for creating a beautiful manicure for cats.
- It is not necessary to bathe your pet often; 1-2 bath procedures per month are enough. To thoroughly clean thick fur, you can use a special cat shampoo. After washing, the animal is dried with a towel. Next, you need to comb out the shedding undercoat. After the bath, the cat looks a little unusual. His fur becomes unnaturally fluffy, but after 2-3 days the usual appearance will be restored.
To eliminate fleas and reduce the risk of infection with helminths and ticks during street walks, you can use pharmaceutical products for animals. Every pet store has effective medications designed for the age and weight of the animal.
Tips for choosing a kitten
Purchasing a kitten of this breed is a responsible step. Carefully study all the kittens in the litter and choose the one that suits you best. Neither your friends nor the breeder will help you in this matter, so you should not listen to their words. They cannot know what kind of pet you need.
You should buy a kitten at about three months of age. At this age, the bobtail is already learning to be independent and not dependent on its mother. The kitten’s psyche is sufficiently developed to adapt to new conditions and owners.
If the pedigree of your future pet is important to you, ask the breeder for documents, achievements, and certificates. It would also be a good idea to meet the parents in person. If the breeder is silent and does not express a desire to fully answer your questions, this is a sign that he has something to hide.
Pay attention to the kitten's behavior among its siblings. If he actively plays with them and shows genuine interest in you, then you can be sure that this is your baby. Lethargic or timid Kurilian Bobtail kittens may grow up hysterical and unsociable in the future.
When to start training a dog
As soon as a bobtail puppy appears in your home, immediately begin to build a relationship with him. From the first day it is necessary to provide him with everything he needs: bowls for water and food, collar, leash, bed, suitable food, toys and of course treats. You need to give him a lot of attention so that he feels safe and begins to trust you. From a very early age, a bobtail puppy needs to be introduced to commands. In addition, in the first months it is necessary to study commands both at home and on the street. First, the puppy must remember its name. We wrote how to choose a suitable nickname in one of our articles. The name should be short, easy to remember and the dog should be called only by it. When the pet has already mastered its name and finally begins to respond, then we move on to commands. By the 3rd month he should master the following commands: “Ugh!”, “Come to me!”, “Place!”, “Nearby!” and “Fetch!” (optional). Then you can move on to the rest, of course, if you need them.
How much does a Kurilian Bobtail cost?
Ideally, it is better to buy a kitten in a nursery, where you will be provided with complete information about it and given all the necessary documents. The minimum price of a Kuril bobtail is 8,000 rubles, this figure can reach 20,000-25,000 rubles. However, do not forget that this price also includes the prestige of the nursery and the kitten’s parents.
For a slightly higher price, they can bring you a pet straight from the Kuril Islands, where the breed’s homeland is located, but in this case it will be impossible to trace its pedigree. However, this will not prevent the fluffy from becoming your devoted friend.
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Where to buy and how much it costs
If you wish, you can buy a purebred Kuril Bobtail in the famous kennel “Golden Mean”, located in Moscow. They can also be purchased in any large Russian city, since nurseries for “Kurilov” lovers are available almost everywhere. In Ukraine, these cats can be purchased at the famous “Moreman”. And in Belarus they are sold in the Geppy Gunter nursery, which is located in Minsk.
The price of a kitten of such an unusual breed directly depends on its color, class, place of sale, and also on its pedigree (that is, whether it has direct “Kuril” ancestors). Depending on these reasons, its cost can vary from 2 thousand to 16 thousand rubles.
KURILIAN BOBTAIL //IS IT WORTH OWNING? // my experience
Castration and sterilization
Animals that do not meet standard breed characteristics and are not suitable for breeding should be neutralized or neutered to avoid unwanted mating.
At what age is it recommended to have surgery?
The castration or sterilization operation is carried out:
- females - at 8-12 months (preferably before two years);
- males - after 10 months.
The younger the animal, the easier it will tolerate surgery and anesthesia. Surgery too early may delay the animal's development.
Caring for your pet after surgery
Proper care of your pet after spaying or neutering includes the following measures:
- immediately after the completion of surgical interventions, a special postoperative blanket and an “Elizabethan” collar are placed on the animal to avoid licking the stitches;
- provide the animal with peace and tranquility;
- daily treatment of postoperative sutures with disinfectant solutions (hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, etc.);
- after surgery, the animal cannot be fed for 10-12 hours;
- limit the activity of the animal so as not to tear the seams.
After your pet is spayed or neutered, you must wear a post-op blanket and collar.
If negative symptoms appear (wetting or suppuration of the sutures, lack of appetite for three days, etc.), you should consult a veterinary clinic.
All cats react differently to anesthesia. Some come to their senses almost immediately, while others sleep for a long time. Our cat simply moved along the wall for more than a day, swaying in all directions. She started eating on the third day and returned to normal only a week later, when the blanket was removed.
Historical reference
Kuril short-tailed cats are a relatively new indigenous breed. Hundreds of years ago it was known that funny cats with stubby tails lived on the islands of the Kuril ridge. In the 20th century, archaeologists and the military often brought them to the mainland. But they became interested in them only in the 80s of the last century. There were felinology enthusiasts who showed the cats to foreign experts and began breeding them themselves.
In October 1991, the Soviet Feline Federation (SFF) introduced the first breed standard. In 1995, the standard was adopted by WCF. In 2001, the modern standard was clarified and approved. WCF and FIFe recognize two breeds: semi-longhaired and shorthaired Kurilian Bobtail.
