Pixie Bob is a short-tailed cat with an exotic appearance and an easy-going disposition. The spotted coat and pointed ears decorated with tassels give the animal a resemblance to a wild lynx and increase its value in the eyes of breeders.
To understand how to make a pixie-bob’s stay near a person comfortable, let’s look at the main characteristics of cats of this breed.
Brief history of the breed
Pixie bobs appeared in the 80s of the last century in North America. There are many myths and legends associated with the origin of short-tailed cats. It was believed that the pixie bob was a direct descendant of the wild lynx, born as a result of its crossing with an outbred domestic cat. However, experts do not support this theory, since animals that are obtained from interspecific mating would be sterile and would not produce offspring.
According to the official version, pixie-bob cats appeared as a result of targeted breeding work by Carol Ann Brewer. An American breeder planned the mating of two short-tailed individuals, one of which had polydactyly. The spotted kitten that was born from this unusual couple received the nickname Pixie and became the founder of a new breed.
Some time later, Carol presented the result of her work at the Washington exhibition. Cats resembling a lynx immediately became the object of increased attention. In 1995, the pixie-bob breed received official status and recognition from the most famous felinological organizations.
Interesting Facts
During the existence of the breed, many interesting things have been associated with pixie bobs:
- These short-tailed cats are characterized by polydactyly. A Pixie Bob can have 7 toes on each paw. This phenomenon is welcomed by the standard and is not typical for representatives of other breeds.
- Pixie Bobs grow up to 4 years of age, although all other cats reach their maximum size by 12-14 months.
- The name of the breed consists of 2 words: pixie - elf and bob - short-tailed.
- Pixie beans are considered a national treasure of the United States and are rarely exported outside their historical homeland.
Layered haircut
The “layer-by-layer” technique is chosen by those who need additional volume. The technique is based on alternating strands of different lengths. The bottom ones are made the longest, and the hair on the top is left the shortest length. Due to this, the effect of multi-layering is obtained. The more layers, the more volume.
Breed description, standards, appearance
Pixie Bob is a short-tailed cat with a wide chest, strong bones, strong paws and well-developed muscles. Its appearance is strictly regulated by the 1995 standard.
Dimensions and weight
Pixie-bob cats are large in size. Sexual dimorphism is highly developed in the breed, so females are noticeably lighter than males:
- the weight of an adult short-tailed cat is 8-10 kg;
- cats weigh about 5 kg.
Anatomical characteristics
The appearance of a purebred pixie-bob must correspond to the following description:
- The head is pear-shaped with a wide muzzle in the form of an equilateral diamond and a powerful, developed chin. The whisker pads are round and clearly defined. On the cheeks of a pixie-bob, lynx sideburns are a must.
- The ears are medium in size, wide at the base with rounded tips. There is a light imprint on the outside. Tassels are not required, but are encouraged.
- The eyes are deep-set, with heavy lids. Pixie Bob kittens are born with blue irises. But by 6-7 months the eyes become greenish, brown or golden.
- The body is powerful, with developed muscles, a broad chest and protruding shoulder blades. The belly is slightly saggy.
- The limbs are strong and powerful. The hind legs are noticeably longer than the front legs. Each of them can have up to 7 fingers.
- The tail is short. Should not fall below the hocks. Creases and bends are welcome.
Color and coat type
Pixie bobs come in short and semi-long water-repellent awns. Both varieties have dense, thick wool with medium down.
The chocolate or gray-gray fur of the Pixie Bob has a tabby pattern. On the forehead of a short-tailed cat there is always a pattern in the form of the letter “M”, and around the eyes there is a light edging.
On a note. The color of the pixie bob changes at different times of the year and after seasonal molting.
Possible breed defects
Disadvantages of appearance, in the presence of which a pixie-bob will not be able to receive a high rating at the exhibition:
- high set or small ears;
- fuzzy eyebrows;
- cow posture of limbs;
- excessively flat back;
- undeveloped chin;
- coat that is too long or smooth;
- flat forehead;
- narrow hips;
- poorly defined skin pouch on the abdomen;
- narrow hips;
- insufficiently light fur on the belly;
- the tail is shorter than 5 cm and longer than the hock.
When are pixie haircuts not suitable?
Short haircuts are not suitable for a full figure, because in this case the woman resembles a fairy-tale “dinosaur” - the head is small, but the body seems huge. In this situation, it is necessary to maintain proportions when choosing a lush option.
Women with thin and thin hair should refuse to cut their hair short. The exception is young ladies with a slender figure and exquisite lines on their faces.
You shouldn't choose a pixie haircut if your hair is too short.
For more information. A pixie will not suit you if your face has wide cheekbones, as the haircut makes them more noticeable. You can outwit this if you leave strands on both sides, hiding defects on your face.
Character and temperament
Although the pixie bob gives the impression of a gloomy and wild animal with its appearance, in fact it has a wonderful character. A short-tailed cat of this breed quickly becomes attached to people, and having chosen his favorite owner, he always tries to be closer to him. At the same time, he does not show intrusiveness, but patiently waits for a person to devote time to him.
A cat of this breed loves to “talk.” Moreover, the pixie-bob communicates not only through meowing, but also with the help of special throat sounds. With them, the short-tailed cat responds to the owners’ remarks or comments on what is happening.
Friendly and outgoing, the Pixie Bob gets along well with children. A cat of this breed is kind to children and forgives them a lot.
The Pixie Bob is prone to dominance in relation to other animals and can only live under the same roof with non-aggressive pets who do not strive for leadership. A cat of this breed will perceive small rodents and birds as prey. Therefore they cannot be kept together.
Pixie bob with straightened strands
This is a very elegant option that makes its owner unusually sophisticated and feminine. But focused and enterprising businesswomen can also try this haircut. The sharper the edges are, the more rigorous the result will be.
In any case, make sure that the roots retain their natural volume. A smoothed crown will not look as impressive as light and natural pomp.
Photo: tr.pinterest.com
Photo: oxsy.ru
How to choose the right kitten
Pixie-Bob kittens are considered very rare and are quite expensive. Therefore, their acquisition must be approached with all responsibility. In order not to buy a half-breed, it is recommended to look for a future pet only from trusted breeders or nurseries.
At the time of sale, the pixie-bob kitten must have documents confirming its breed and vaccinations.
Short-tailed babies should be active, cheerful and moderately curious. A purebred kitten is easy to recognize by its powerful limbs with voluminous paws, pear-shaped head and spotted coat with a clear pattern.
The health of a little pixie bob can be judged by its soft belly, clear eyes, clean ears and smooth skin without redness or scratching. The kitten should not have dirt under its tail or an unpleasant odor from its mouth.
On a note. It is better to buy a pixie-bob kitten for participation in exhibitions and for use in breeding directly from American nurseries.
Kitten care
Conscientious breeders separate little pixie-bobs from their mother no earlier than they are 3 months old. By this age, kittens are already feeding on their own, accustomed to using a scratching post and going to the litter box.
New owners can only wait until the short-tailed cat adapts to the changed conditions and show him where he can eat, sleep and relieve himself.
Also during this period, the kitten is taught a nickname. Usually the pedigree shows a long name that is not suitable for everyday use. Therefore, for your home you can choose a shorter option:
- A pixie bob cat can be named Amber, Indira, Naomi or Lynx.
- Nicknames such as Chibis, Mars, Sax or Iago are suitable for a cat of this breed.
Important. Pixie Bobs are very curious and often steal things they like. Therefore, for safety, wires, household chemicals, and small and fragile objects are hidden from kittens.
At first, it is advisable to feed the short-tailed kitten what the breeder gave. It is better to introduce new foods into the little pixie-bob’s diet gradually in order to closely monitor his body’s reaction. The feeding schedule depends on the age of the short-tailed pet:
- up to 4 months – 6 times a day;
- 4-5 months – 5 times a day;
- 5-9 months – 4 times a day;
- 9-12 months – 3 times a day.
A one-year-old pixie-bob is switched to two meals a day.
Buy a pixie bob kitten
It is impossible to buy a healthy purebred kitten of this rare and at the same time popular breed on sites like Avito, since even official professional nurseries with specialist breeders have appeared in Russia quite recently. The number of nurseries is small, which also affects the cost of pixie bob kittens .
Breeders provide new owners with documents for the cat they are purchasing and share valuable information on the care and pedigree of the animal.
Breeding mini-lynx kittens is a serious and responsible matter, so the prices are undemocratic:
- a pet-class kitten will cost 50 000-70 000
rubles;
- Breed-class cat costs 100 000-230 000
rubles;
- valuable show class cat is sold at a price 200 000-300 000
rubles
You can consider such prices to mean that getting a short-tailed cat with the face of a forest cat is not so easy.
Nurseries engaged in breeding pixie bobs:
- Pixie House
- Novosibirsk - RUSSPIXI
— Moscow
Nicknames for pixie bob
global $ads_google;
//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> For some reason, it is difficult for many to choose a suitable nickname for a small kitten. To solve the problem and find a beautiful name for your pet, you need to follow some simple tips:
- Hissing sounds are desirable in a cat's name. If there are none, it’s not so scary, but when the nickname “whistles” or “hisses,” the cat reacts to it much more readily;
- the pet’s appearance, shade, build, features are taken into account;
- pay attention to the manifestations of the cat’s character traits.
A convenient table with ready-made options makes choosing a nickname much easier.
| Girl | Boy | ||
| Barbie Siya Gaitana Lina Vikki Naomi Floris Zara Greya Tsetka Indira Veta Lynx Shumka Tasya | Malya Doll Pusya Vesya Puffy Chica Nuta Fiesta Olive Penelope Sina Shusha Tuma Adelia Nira | Radik Billy Floppy Wiz Mason Saffron Grif Vitas Volt Hasan Salvador Cardinal Mars Orel Basik | Iago Azur Vincent Elizar Alicer Cortes Sax Morphy Chingiz Aygun Asker Frank Zlatan Lapwing Buttercup |
Care and maintenance
Thanks to their impressive size and warm coat, pixie bobs can live both indoors and outdoors. Caring for cats of this breed comes down to keeping their coat clean, trimming their claws and brushing their teeth.
- The pixie bob's eyes and ears are regularly inspected for any unusual discharge and wiped with a cotton pad moistened with boiled water.
- The short-tailed cat's claws are trimmed monthly with a nail clipper. This is done with extreme caution so as not to injure living tissue.
- Pixie-bob teeth are brushed 2-3 times a month with a silicone brush with a small amount of non-foaming toothpaste. This simple procedure will help get rid of plaque on the short-tailed pet’s fangs and serve as a preventative against the formation of stones.
- The hair of a short-tailed cat is combed 2-3 times a week with a special brush with natural bristles. During the molting period, the procedure is carried out daily. Pixie-bobs should be bathed no more than 3-4 times a year, so as not to disrupt the protective functions of the skin. Bathing procedures are carried out in a warm room, and after them the wet short-tailed cat is thoroughly dried with a towel and dried with a silent hairdryer.
Breeding
Mating with other breeds is not allowed. Americans do not like to sell these cats outside of their country, especially when it comes to breeding. Therefore, in Russia it is very difficult to select cats for mating.
The partner is selected in advance, after checking the pedigree and health. Both partners undergo examination at a veterinary hospital before mating. Be sure to have all the necessary vaccinations and get rid of parasites two weeks before mating.
A cat can meet a male cat from the age of 1 year, but must wait until after the second or third heat. It is important for a cat to be older and more experienced, then there is a greater chance of success.
Mating rules:
- On the second or third day of estrus, the cat is brought to the cat’s territory and left there for 3-5 days.
- It is better to give cats a separate room.
- Before the process, it is better to trim your pets' nails so that they do not injure each other.
Feeding the cat
Pixie Bob can eat both industrial and natural food. In the first case, premium or super-premium products are purchased for a short-tailed cat, which contain all the necessary nutrients.
It is best to give your pixie bob the following brands of food:
- Royal Canin;
- Eukanuba;
- Bosch;
- Grandorf.
With a natural type of nutrition, the diet of a short-tailed cat is designed so that lean, fresh meat predominates in it. Also included in the pixie bob menu:
- porridge with water;
- boiled vegetables;
- eggs;
- offal;
- dairy products;
- lean sea fish.
On a note. Fresh milk is not digestible by the cat's body. Therefore, it is not advisable to give it to adult pixie bobs.
From the menu of a short-tailed cat of this breed, it is necessary to permanently exclude sweets, sausages, river fish, baked goods, pickles, mushrooms, bones and any leftovers from the master’s table.
Pixie bob on wavy hair
Light curls will not only allow you to show off your romantic nature, but will also highlight your excellent sense of style. As a rule, waves are made on the entire head, except for the back of the head, although this area can be beautifully decorated if you maintain moderation in volume.
You can curl only the bangs, but you need to make sure that this part of the hairstyle does not stand out from the overall holistic image.
Photo: richardquickdesign.com
Education and physical activity
Pixie Bob is a highly intelligent cat breed. Its representatives have the ability to train and the habit of analyzing everything that happens. These short-tailed cats have no problem understanding what is wanted of them and quickly acquire good manners.
If desired, pixie bobs can be taught simple commands and fetching.
Cats of this breed have an active and playful temperament. Short-tailed pets love to walk on a harness and need moderate exercise. Pixie Bobs enjoy playing with toys, fetching balls thrown by their owners, and jumping onto high cabinets.
Pixie bob with a backcomb
If your hair is not naturally very thick or dull, backcombing will help give your strands brightness and fullness. Why is volume needed at the back of the head? In this zone, the strands remain the shortest, so they fit tightly to the scalp. Trying to ruffle your hair with your hands usually does not have a lasting positive effect.
To make a good backcomb, it is enough to use an ordinary comb-comb. To prevent your hair from becoming electrified, use antistatic products. We also recommend purchasing a comb made from sandalwood. This material will protect your hair not only from electrification, but also from damage to the structure when combing.
Photo: tvoyalady.com
Vaccinations and antiparasitic treatment
To prevent viral and infectious diseases, pixie bobs are regularly vaccinated with a complex drug:
- from calcivirosis;
- panleukopenia;
- rhinotracheitis.
The first vaccination for a short-tailed pixie-bob kitten is given at 7-8 weeks. After 4 weeks it is repeated, but with an anti-rabies component. In the future, the pixie-bob is vaccinated once a year.
On a note. Pixie Bobs are sensitive to certain types of vaccines. Therefore, the drug with which the short-tailed cat will be vaccinated should be selected by a veterinarian.
To prevent diseases carried by fleas and helminths, pixie bobs are regularly treated with antiparasitic treatments. Antihelminthic drugs are given to a short-tailed cat of this breed 2 times a year with mandatory repetition after 10-14 days.
To combat fleas, special shampoos and drops are used. And if the pixie-bob regularly goes outside, he is additionally protected with an anti-parasitic collar.
In-cabin technology
The haircut is performed in several layers and involves careful consideration of each strand. The master's technique may vary depending on the type of hairstyle chosen. The standard execution scheme looks like this:
- The master separates the triangle from temple to temple, capturing the crown. Divides the back of the head into 2 parts with a vertical parting, and then horizontally into 4 parts.
- Cuts from the neck line to the back of the head, gradually adding length to the hair. Then a central strand is selected from the top of the head and cut off with a pull. The occipital zone will be treated according to its level.
- The parietal part is cut from the crown, the hair is divided into horizontal strands. The remains of the parietal strands are combed along with the bangs to one side and cut diagonally.
- The ear edging area is processed from the temporal part. The strands are cut diagonally with extension towards the face. Cut “strand by strand”, moving from the sides to the central parting.
After finishing the haircut, go through dry hair with thinning scissors.
Pros and cons of the breed
Although the pixie bob deserves mostly positive reviews from its owners, it has both positive and negative qualities:
| pros | Minuses |
| Attractive lynx exterior | Tendency to steal |
| Low maintenance | Inability to get along with other pets |
| Loyalty to the owners |
Pixie Bob is an unusual short-tailed cat, whose serious and wild appearance hides a good-natured and affectionate character. He needs constant communication with people and will be an excellent companion for those who are willing to devote time and care to him.
