Group Classification: Longhair and shorthair
Country of Origin: Japan
Date of Origin: 6th Century
Weight (M): 7-10 lbs.
Weight (F): 5-7 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 15+ years

History
Japanese Bobtails are a long-established breed, present in drawings as far back as the 6th century. Emperor Ichijo, who ruled from 986-1011, is believed to have asked for this very cat. The first U.S. appearance of the Japanese Bobtail was in 1969; in 1976 it was granted championship status.

General Description
If you've had the pleasure of entering a Japanese restaurant, shop, or home and seen a delightful statue of Maneki Neko, the beckoning cat waving it's paw, you are already familiar with the Japanese Bobtail, the model for the popular good luck charm.

Cats with a three-fur (mi-ke in Japanese) pattern of red, black and white are the most prized of this breed. Their bobtail is the result of a recessive genetic mutation that must have occurred centuries back, since drawings over 2,000 years old show these felines with their trademark fluffy, pom-pom tails.

Colors
The calico'mi-ke' (three fur) pattern is a combination of red, black and white thought particularly lucky in Japan. Black and white is another preferred combination.

Self and Tortie Colors are black, red, blue, cream, white, tortie, blue tortie and all other self and tortie colors, pointed, mink and sepia.

All patterns of Tabby colors are as for self/tortie; bicolors are any of the listed colors plus white.

Coat
For the shorthair variety of Japanese Bobtail, the coat is of medium length and silky, without any undercoat. The Longhair variety has medium to long hair that is soft and silky and also has no undercoat.

Notable Features
Odd eyes are also prized in this breed, and the condition occurs regularly in Japanese Bobtails.

Health and Care
These are active, vocal cats and unlike most other breeds, they produce a chirping sound when'talking' with their humans. Be sure you want a highly active and interactive cat before deciding to purchase a Japanese Bobtail. Outgoing and inquisitive, they can become destructive when bored. You'll need to spend plenty of time with this breed, and they will enjoy interactive toys. While they will be sociable with the entire family, they usually will chose favorite humans and spend most of their time right at their side.

They tend to be robustly healthy and require little more than regular petting for their soft, silky coats to look their best. They are minimal shedders.

Resources
The Japanese Bobtail Breed Council at ww.japanesebobtailbc.org