Size: Medium to large.
Coat Length(s): Short hair and medium hair.
Body Type: Semi-cobby.
Grooming Requirement: Little grooming needed (shorthair)/ once a week (longhair).
Talkativeness: Quiet.
Activity Level: High.
Affection: Very affectionate.
Usually Good With: Adults, seniors, and children (6+).
Time Alone: 4 to 8 hours per day.
Attention: Needs average attention.
Handling: Moderately docile.

Many conflicting stories exist about the origin of this breed. The most commonly told tale is that the Pixiebob traces its roots to American bobcat and random-bred domestic cat hybrids, frequently called Legend Cats because the bobcat-domestic cat matings apparently were not documented or proven. While domestic cats have been known to mate with small, closely related felids (the Bengal was created that way), establishing a new breed this way is less likely in the wild because first and second generation males from such matings are almost always sterile. Felids also generally stick to their own species unless they have limited mating opportunities. The Bengal, for example, was created when a domestic cat and an Asian leopard cat were put in the same cage.

Another story claims the breed was bred from domestic cats with a feral look to resemble the bobcat, the same way the Ocicat was bred from domestic cats to resemble a small spotted wildcat.

Whatever the truth is, fancier Carol Ann Brewer is credited with the creation of the Pixiebob breed. In 1985 she acquired two cats whom she believed to be bobcat-domestic cat hybrids, and bred them to create the first Pixiebob. This first female was named Pixie and had a bobbed tail, hence the breed’s name. Pixie was the foundation female of the breed.

When Pixiebob fanciers began seeking association acceptance for the breed, some realized how difficult it would be to register a wildcat hybrid (CFA doesn’t accept any breeds with wildcat blood, not even the popular Bengal). The breed was registered with TICA as a purely domestic breed and DNA testing for wild genes revealed that the cats tested possessed none. There was no proof that the original cats were anything but short-tailed domestic cats. The stated goal of the Pixiebob breeding program, according to the CCA and TICA breed standards, is to create a domestic cat who looks like the North American bobcat.

While some fanciers still believe the breed has bobcat ancestors, others think it’s more likely the breed simply has a tail mutation that causes it to be bobbed. Unlike bobcats, Pixiebobs can have tails of varying lengths, and some have ordinary long tails. Breeders say the tail is unlike the Manx tail types—Pixiebobs are not born completely tailless like the Manx, although rarely a tail will be so short that the cat appears tailless. Some breeders dock Pixiebobs with long tails to make the cats easier to sell, since few prospective owners want ordinary tails on a breed characterized by its bobbed tail.

The Pixiebob's wild look does not reflect the breed’s personality, which is loving, trustworthy and tractable. While Pixiebobs vary in temperament depending upon their bloodlines and outcrosses, most are intelligent, social, people-oriented and active. Some are laidback and sweet with devoted, faithful personalities.

In general, fanciers say Pixiebobs become attached to the entire family and get along well with everyone. They usually don’t bond with one special person. Some Pixiebobs are sociable with people outside the family as well, while others love their families but hide under the bed when strangers come to call. Most Pixiebobs like to be close to their human families, and follow their owners around the house. They also enjoy children who play nicely, and usually get along well and enjoy playing with other cat-friendly companion animals, as long as the proper introductions are made.

Most are quiet, but some talk with their people in quiet chirps. Fanciers say Pixiebobs are highly intelligent and quickly learn the meaning of useful words and phrases, such as, "Would you like a kitty treat?" and "Get out the carrier for Bobbie’s vet appointment." However, now that the breed is closed to random-bred domestic outcrosses, the personality and temperament will likely settle down to a consistent type.

According to breeders, Pixiebobs have no known breed-related inherited diseases or health problems, and breeders are working to keep it that way. Breeding Pixiebobs with recognized breeds is forbidden for that reason, since some breeds have a higher incidence of certain inheritable diseases. Particularly, breeding Bobs with Manx is prohibited, since the Manx gene is known to be associated with serious health problems. Nevertheless, buy from a breeder who will guarantee the cat’s health in writing.

Breeders note that Pixiebobs should not receive feline leukemia or FIP vaccines, since some breeders say these vaccinations have been found to be fatal to Bobs. Be sure to talk to your cat’s breeder about vaccinations and what kinds are generally safe to have administered.

According to the breed standard, the Pixiebob is a purely domestic breed who resembles the bobcat but has a loving, tractable nature. The medium to large, well-muscled body is heavily boned, substantial and has great depth, with a broad, well-developed chest. The prominent shoulder blades produce a rolling gait. The back has a dip behind the shoulders and a slight upward slope toward the hips. The hips are medium width, prominent and slightly higher than the shoulders. The flanks are deep and powerful, and both males and females have a belly pouch.

The legs are long, with heavy boning and musculature. The feet must appear sound and are large, long and wide, almost round, with big knuckles and fleshy toes. Polydactyly is allowed, with seven toes maximum per paw. The legs and wrists must be straight when viewed from the front. All toes must point forward and rest on the floor. Adult males weigh from 12 to 18 pounds; adult females weigh from 8 to 15 pounds. There are no allowable outcrosses.

The ideal tail should be articulated, but kinks and curls are accepted. Minimum length is two inches, while the maximum is the length of the hock when the hind leg is fully extended. The tail is carried low when relaxed. The tails are not consistent, however; they range from extremely short to ordinary length. Pixiebobs with docked tails cannot be shown for championship.

The unique medium to large head is an inverted wide pear shape. The muzzle is broad, with a definite break and fleshy whisker pads. The area of the nose, muzzle and chin is described as a soft-sided diamond from the chin to the bridge of the nose and is considered important to the Pixiebob look. The nose is wide, slightly convex, with large nose leather. The medium-tall ears are wide and deep at the base and are set on the side as much as on top of the head, with a slight outward tilt. They are rounded at the tips, with lynx tips preferred. The deep-set medium-sized eyes should be one eye-width apart and heavily hooded with bushy brows, which give the appearance that the cat is half asleep or has partially closed eyes. A band of cream or white surrounds the eye, with mascara lines from the corner of the eyes downward to the cheeks. Eye colors are gold to brown; gooseberry green is acceptable but not preferred.

The Pixiebob comes in both longhair and shorthair varieties. The coat of the shorthair is soft, wooly, resilient to the touch and stands up off the body. The belly hair is dense and longer than the rest of the coat. The coat of the longhair is less than two inches long. It is semi-dense with belly hair longer than the rest of the coat. It is soft and lies closer to the body than the shorthair’s coat. For both long and short hair types, the facial hair is full and brushy in appearance with a downward growth pattern and heavy fur above the eyes. Both coat types are weather-resistant. Light to medium shades of brown spotted tabby with warm, reddish tones are preferred; muted broken mackerel spotting is accepted. Small spots with or without rosettes are muted by the heavy ticking. The broken mackerel tabby pattern is allowed, but random spotting is preferred. The belly is spotted. Pattern is secondary to correct type.