Pixie-bob

The Pixie-bob is a heavy, wild-looking domestic cat with a short tail, and one of very few breeds where extra toes are written into the standard rather than out of it.

History

It was developed in the United States in the 1980s from cats in the Pacific northwest, and its founding story involves claimed bobcat ancestry that genetic testing has not supported — the breed is domestic. Polydactyly is accepted, which is unusual: most standards treat extra toes as a fault.

Temperament

The breed is known for being calm, loyal and strongly dog-like, often taking to a harness and to fetch, and generally reliable with children. It is quiet, communicating in chirps and chatter more than in meows.

Care

Both coat lengths need only regular brushing. It is a large, slow-maturing cat that keeps growing for several years and appreciates space to match.

Health

Generally sound, with the caution that any young breed built on a narrow foundation warrants attention to diversity; the polydactyly itself is benign in this breed. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one cat; the measured facts and trait ratings are in the panels.