 The
Pixie-Bob is a breed
of cat.
According to legend, it is a hybrid
offspring of a domestic cat and a bobcat,
but DNA
testing has failed to show that Pixie-Bobs are directly related to
bobcats. Directly related would indicate identical Y-Chromosomes or
limited Marker match testing. Therefore, Pixie-Bob are legally
designated as domestic cats, even if they might have Bobcat
heritage. The Pixie-Bob has a large body with big feet, and usually
a short, bobbed tail and a gentle personality. Most Pixie-Bobs are
short-haired. There is also a less common long-hair Pixie-Bob. Often
the long- haired Pixie-Bob has a face that look more like a
Bobcat's, but the long hair can also obscure the cat's spots. A
Pixie-Bob's markings should resemble those of a bobcat, with spots,
stripes and swirls. This breed is currently the only one accepted by
any major club to allow polydactyls,
cats having more than the usual number on toes on each foot (five
for the front paws, four for the back). Adult males weigh 16–22 lbs
(7–10 kg),
and females weigh 8–12 lb (3.5–5.5 kg).
Breed Description
Pixie-Bobs are approximately 50% larger then most domestic cats
(which weigh 5.5–16 lb or 2.5–7 kg). Most Pixie-Bobs have black
fur and skin on the bottom of their paws, tipped ears, heavy ear
hair, black lips, and white fur around the eyes but with black eye
skin. Their chins have white fur, but often have black skin under
the white fur. Some of their whiskers change from Black (root -
about 25%) to White (to the tip - about 75% of the whisker).Tiger-like
fur pattern, but often have reddish tones mixed in. Stomach is often
reddish-gold in color with some ticking (broken stripes). Most are
short-haired, but some are long-haired. Eyes are almond shaped and
tilted. Eyes are blue when kittens, then change to green, and
finally to gold when several months old (some don't change
completely to Gold, but have a Gold with a green tint). Tails can be
non-existent (rumpy), or 2-4 inches (desired - TICA required), or
long tails (Pixie was a long tail). The head is usually-pear shaped.
The head and tail are considered the important characteristics. They
grow for 3 years instead of 1 year like most domestic cats.
Temperament
They are highly intelligent, social, active (but not
hyper-active), bold, courageous, and enjoy playing with other
animals. Known for their chirps, chatters, and growls. Some
Pixie-Bobs can be highly sociable around their owners and strangers,
while others are highly social around their owners, but shy around
strangers. Almost all Pixie-Bobs like to be in the same room as
their owners, and will follow their owners around the house. Other
personality characteristics, are head bunting; Chirping
"language" (communicating with owners and other
Pixie-Bobs) by different chirps; Most don't meow often, and some
don't meow at all; Ball fetching and playing; Some can be walked on
a leash; Highly intelligent (Dog analogy would be intelligent like a
Golden Retriever) and capable of understanding some human words and
phrases.
Breed history
Carol
Ann Brewer is credited with the creation of the Pixie-Bob breed
in the mid 1980s. She took two different "Legend cats",
believed to be the result of natural breeding between bobcats
and domestic
cats, and bred them to create the first Pixie-Bob domestic cat.
This first cat was named Pixie, hence the name Pixie-Bob. DNA
testing shows that Pixie-Bob cats are domestic, and not wild or an
exotic hybrid, as the early advertisements had alleged, but many are
still unsure if this is entirely true. Pixie-Bob cats share many of
the physical and personality characteristics of bobcats, except they
are approximately half the size, and do not have some of the wild
characteristics. Pixie-Bobs are a paradox. They look and act very
much like Bobcats, but are legally defined as domestic cats. For a
cat to be considered a Certified TICA
Pixie-Bob cats, they cannot be bred with bobcats, and one of their
parents must be traced back to Pixie the cat.
Other information
[[While Pixie-Bobs are considered to be domestic cats, Pixie-Bobs
have been used to create other exotic hybrids such as the Desert
Lynx and Jungle Bobs. Pixie-Bobs are legal in all 50 states
without a license, and are legally considered domestic cats, despite
the fact that they appear to have a bobcat heritage.
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