Furriq

Cat Breed Guide

Pixie-Bob

Medium to Large · United States (Washington, 1980s)

A spotted, short-tailed cat that looks like a miniature bobcat but carries no wild blood. Carol Ann Brewer started the breed in Washington state in the 1980s from a polydactyl, short-tailed spotted male and a domestic female named Pixie. Gentle, dog-like, and laid-back, it pairs a wild appearance with a family-cat temperament.

Quick Facts

Size
Medium to Large
Weight
9–17 lbs (4–7.7 kg)
Lifespan
13–15 years
Origin
United States (Washington, 1980s)

Key Visual Markers

  • Short bobbed tail, ideally 2 to 4 inches, carried low — straight, curved, kinked, or knobbed, and unique to each individual; longer than a Manx, shorter than an American Bobtail
  • Lynx-tipped ears, wide at the base with rounded tips and dark tufts — a hallmark of the breed's wild look
  • Spotted tabby coat in brown or tan with dark spots, heaviest on the belly and flanks; a thick, wooly double coat that feels plush and slightly coarse to the touch
  • Medium-to-large, muscular body standing 9 to 13 inches tall and weighing 9 to 17 pounds, with a rolling, wild-cat gait
  • Polydactyl paws are common — extra toes on the front feet, sometimes all four, inherited from the foundation cat
  • Broad inverted pear-shaped head with a heavy brow, full cheeks, and a substantial muzzle; deep-set, triangular-oval eyes in gold, copper, hazel, or green with dark eyeliner

Temperament & Traits

  • Dog-like personality — plays fetch, walks on a leash, and follows owners from room to room
  • Gentle and laid-back — playful but undemanding; a calm family cat despite the wild appearance
  • Loyal and affectionate — forms strong bonds and greets people at the door
  • Intelligent — learns routines, solves puzzle feeders, and responds to its name
  • Good with children and other pets — friendly and easygoing in busy households
  • Quiet — communicates with soft chirps and meows rather than loud vocalizing

Health Notes

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — a genetic heart disease reported in the breed; a Pixie-Bob case with an HCM-associated MYBPC3 variant appears in the veterinary literature; annual cardiac screening recommended for breeding cats
  • Hip dysplasia — noted by breeders in the larger lines; keeping the cat lean reduces symptom severity
  • Obesity — about half of all cats are overweight, and extra pounds raise the risk of diabetes and arthritis; measured portions matter in a breed that loves food
  • Dental disease — plaque and tartar affect cats of every breed; daily brushing and professional cleanings as needed
  • Polydactyl nail care — extra toes mean extra nails to trim; regular trims prevent discomfort and ingrown nails

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a veterinarian for health advice specific to your cat.

Similar Breeds

Pixie-Bob is often confused with these breeds. Here's how to tell them apart:

American Bobtail

Both carry short tails and a wild look, but American Bobtails have a broader, rectangular body, a modified wedge head, and a coat in any color or pattern. Pixie-Bobs are heavier in the flank, always spotted tabby, and more often polydactyl.

Japanese Bobtail

Japanese Bobtails hold their short tail upright like a rabbit, with a slender athletic body, a triangular head, and a silky single coat. Pixie-Bobs carry the tail low, build a stockier muscular frame, and wear a wooly double coat in spotted tabby only.

Manx

Manx cats are tailless or nearly tailless with a round cobby body and a fully round head. Pixie-Bobs keep a visible 2 to 4 inch tail, a longer rectangular body, and a spotted coat with lynx-tipped ears.

Explore Other Breeds

Not sure this is the right breed for you? Check out other popular cat breeds below.

Norwegian Forest Cat

A large, sturdy cat built for cold northern winters — thick water-repellent double coat, triangular head, friendly but independent. Originally working farm cats in Norway, they climb, hunt, and remain deeply loyal to their families without being fussy about it.

Abyssinian

One of the oldest cat breeds, the Abyssinian wears a uniquely ticked coat — each hair striped with alternating bands of color. Slim, muscular, and endlessly curious, these cats stay kittenish well into old age. They bond deeply with their people and hate being left alone.

Russian Blue

A blue-gray short-hair with a shimmering silver sheen and vivid green eyes. Russian Blues are reserved with strangers but deeply affectionate with their own people — quiet, gentle, and sensitive. The breed’s double coat stands up from the body, giving the cat a plush, velvety feel that cat breeders call "the smile under the hand."

Scottish Fold

A sweet-faced cat with ears folded forward and down, giving the head a round, owl-like silhouette. Calm, adaptable, and teddy-bear soft — Scottish Folds live up to their appearance. The folded ears trace back to a natural dominant mutation first found in a barn cat in Scotland in 1961.

Persian

The quintessential lap cat — famous for its luxurious long coat, large round eyes, and sweet, placid temperament. Persians are the most popular pedigreed cat breed worldwide, prized for their serene, gentle nature and unmistakable flat-faced (brachycephalic) profile.

British Shorthair

A sturdy, round-faced cat with a dense plush coat and a calm, undemanding personality. The British Blue — a solid blue-gray coat with copper eyes — is the breed’s most recognized look, but British Shorthairs come in many colors and patterns.