Japanese cat: breeds, description, photo

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Today, almost every family has pets that delight their owners. Cat breeds in Japan are not very diverse, but they will certainly surprise many with their cuteness. The absence of a large number of different breeds is explained by the fact that they are simply not selected, preferring everything natural and pristine. In our homeland, as well as around the world, people from the Land of the Rising Sun are not very popular, because they are not allowed to participate in international exhibitions. But they certainly make a good choice as pets.

Common features of Japanese breeds

Let's take a closer look at this. Despite the fact that there are several different types of cats in Japan, nevertheless, they all have some characteristic features that are common to all of them. If you take a close look at the photo of the catJapanese Bobtail or any other, you will notice some similarities between them. This is due to the fact that representatives of all breeds are distant relatives. In addition, the following features can be distinguished between them:

• The main breed is the bobtail and the others have been crossed.
• The roots of the breed go back to ancient times.
• All Japanese cats are in excellent he alth.
• Lack of abundance of colors.
• Purely Japanese breeds always have the same eye color. If you find individuals with heterochromia, then these are the creations of American breeders.
• All cats lack a tail, which is their main distinguishing feature.

If you at least once see photos of Japanese cat breeds, you will never be able to confuse them with anyone else. And, as you probably guessed, the point here is not in appearance, but in the absence of a tail. Why don't animals have it? We will talk about this later.

Reasons for missing a tail

Japan is an island state, and the tastes of its citizens are often not understood in other countries. This is a unique culture, strange traditions, various beliefs and much more. But why are tailless Japanese cat breeds so popular? It is impossible to answer this question, but we know how they appeared.

For a long time there was an opinion that animals were cut off their tail for a long time, that subsequently they began to be born without it. However, such a version is unlikely. Scientists adhere to the theory that the main reason -These are genetic mutations. But they are not some kind of disease or pathology, since animals, unlike many of their other brethren, have good he alth. Yes, and cats have a tail, but it is very small and looks more like a hare.

Varieties of breeds

There are not too many breeds of Japanese cats, but there is still some variety. To date, breeders have bred the following:

• Irimoto.
• Snoopy.
• Bobtail.

Outside of Japan, the last two are very popular. The Bobtail is even allowed in international cat shows. Let's find out how they managed to win the hearts of millions of people around the world, and also what they are, and whether it is worth starting them in your home.

Snoopy

Despite the fact that this breed is considered Japanese, however, it has nothing to do with this country. Her historical homeland and main habitat is China, but it turned out the way it happened.

The breed of Japanese Snoopy cats has a peculiar, but pretty appearance. They have very funny faces and thick cheeks. The cats are short-haired and have a rather exotic color called "red tabby van". The breed appeared in the middle of the 20th century thanks to American breeders by crossing the Persians and the American Shorthair.

Characteristics

So what do you need to know about this? Representatives of this breed of Japanese cats are noticeably different from their other counterparts. They are very friendly, calm and playful. Among the main characteristic external signs, the following can be distinguished:

• expressive brown eyes;
• small ears;
• chubby cheeks;
• very thick and soft coat;
• fluffy tail.

But many breeders choose Snoopy for more than just cuteness. These animals are phlegmatic, so they are very calm and not aggressive. In addition, they have excellent memory and well-developed intelligence.

Bobtail

This breed is admired and adored not only by the Japanese, but also by people around the world. At home, she is rare and prestigious, and it is also believed that these pets bring good luck. The description of the Japanese Bobtail according to the standards is as follows:

• slender and fit body of medium size;
• the head is shaped like a triangle with smooth curves;
• muzzle slightly elongated, with pronounced cheekbones;
• big and forward tilted ears;
• oval shaped eyes with different shades;
• long massive paws;
• short and soft coat;
• fluffy tail, the length of which can reach 15 centimeters.

If you look at the photo of the Japanese Bobtail, you will see that this breed is incredibly beautiful. But appearance is not their only advantage. Animals are also distinguished by good he alth and unpretentiousness, so there are no special problems when caring for them.

Featurescharacter

What should I pay attention to first of all? Japanese Bobtail cats are not like their Snoopy counterparts. They are hunters by nature, so their temperament is simply explosive. Animals catch everything that only moves, so a private house is best for keeping them. In a city apartment, cats will not have enough physical activity, which will negatively affect their he alth and behavior.

Another key thing to keep in mind when keeping Bobtails is that they pick up bad habits quickly. Therefore, education must be de alt with from the very first days, otherwise it will be quite difficult to retrain the cat. As for the character, the animals are very friendly not only to adults and children, but also to other four-legged inhabitants. But the owners will have to devote a lot of time to the pet, as bobtails are incredibly loyal and need constant communication.

Features of care

This aspect should be given special attention. As noted earlier, the Japanese Bobtail breed is unpretentious and clean. Thanks to the short coat, the animals do not shed, and they do not need to be brushed often. You also don’t have to bathe too often, once or twice a year will be enough.

But the ears should be given more attention. They need to be cleaned every week, because due to their large size, a considerable amount of dirt accumulates in them. In addition, nails should be trimmed regularly. They grow quickly, so if you do not bring them in timeorder, the animals will experience pain when walking.

The big problem with bobtails is curiosity. They will climb everywhere they can. Therefore, you should not leave windows and doors open so that your furry friend does not run out into the street or fall off the windowsill. To distract the animal from everything dangerous and forbidden, you can purchase various cat toys and balls in the store.

As for the toilet, accustoming a pet to sand will not be difficult. Bobtails are distinguished by good intelligence, so they understand that they need to relieve themselves in a tray, and in other places it’s not worth shitting. If you live in a private house, then four-legged friends will spend most of their time on the street, where they go to the toilet. And if they feel an urge in the middle of the night, they will wake up the owner and ask to be released into the garden.

What to feed

So what do you need to know about this? Experts say that the diet of Japanese Bobtail cats should be of high quality and balanced. Therefore, it is better to feed not with homemade food, but with purchased premium dry food. If you want to do menu planning yourself, then you need to take into account the fact that cats are predatory animals, so meat must be present in their lives. But no less important is plant foods, which are a source of vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates.

When feeding homemade food, it is necessary to add vitamin complexes to it. But still, it is better to stop at dry food, because they are perfectly balanced, contain everythingnutrients needed for normal growth and good he alth, and will also cost less than grocery shopping.

Breeding

Bobtail and Snoopy cats are ready for mating at the age of one year. However, breeding them is a rather problematic task. The thing is that these animals are not very common in our country, so finding a suitable partner for a cat in order to get purebred thoroughbred kittens is not an easy task. In the process of searching, you need to consider the following nuances:

• presence of a pedigree;
• tail length must not exceed 8 centimeters;
• he althy appearance;
• activity in behavior;
• colours.

If you manage to find a suitable cat that meets all the criteria, then there will be no problems with breeding. Thanks to good he alth, animals give birth on their own without the help of the owner. Mating is possible up to two times a year, and in one offspring there can be from 2 to 7 kittens. Cats are very devoted parents, so they do not leave their children a single step, and also provide them with proper care and constant protection.

How much does it cost

Prices for bobtails can vary quite widely. It all depends on the purity of blood and pedigree. When buying, special attention should be paid to the choice of the seller. According to experts, there is always a chance to stumble upon a cross between yard cats or other breeds. Therefore, it is better to buy from experienced breeders or inspecialized nurseries. As for the cost, on average it is 20-30 thousand rubles.

Conclusion

In this article, the most popular cat breeds were discussed in detail. If you have never had a pet before, then you should consider getting one. These animals have good he alth and very rarely get sick, and they are also very easy to care for. In addition, Bobtails and Snoopies are distinguished by a calm disposition and playfulness, they are attached to their master. They are able to feel the mood of others, so if you come home from work tired or sad, you can be sure that you will be cheered up.