Kurilian Bobtail

Photograph of TAIGA © Helmi Flick

Introduction

The Kurilian Bobtail (Kurilian, Curilsk Bobtailis, Kuril Bobtail) is a "natural" cat and a "mutated" cat. The breed is little known in the West but is the 3rd most popular breed in Russia, where there are about 40 catteries. The breed's geographical origin is the Kuril and Sakhalin Islands.

Kuril Islands

This is where the islands are:

kuril islands map wikimedia commons

Reproduced under Wikimedia Commons

Reproduced under Wikimedia Commons user: Eliezg

Because this cat has apparently evolved in isolation on this island chain in the Pacific over the past 100-150 years, she can be called a natural cat. Natural in this instance means no interference by mankind.

The Kuril Islands are, it seems, currently governed by Russia after a long dispute with Japan. There are 16,000 inhabitants. The climate is severe with long cold winters and short summers. The climate has probably, to a degree, dictated this breeds' coat, which is short to medium long and described as a "warm woolly coat". All colors are encountered.

It is not completely clear what the position was, in respect of the evolution of this breed, more than 150 years ago nor when or how the dominant genetic mutation came about to give this gorgeous looking cat her bobtail. However it would seem that the Kurilian Bobtail was a wild cat on the islands until domesticed.

Kurilian Bobtail photo © Helmi Flick

The exact nature of the genetic mutation is still unclear (there is still a lot to learn about cat genetics) and there is speculation that it is the same as the Japanese Bobtail.

At one stage it was believed that this breed was the Japanese Bobtail. If there is a connection between these two bobtailed cats it is possible that the Japanese bobtail inherited her genetic background from the the Kurilian rather than vica-versa.

This alludes to the possibility that Japanese settlers on the islands, before the Russians kicked them off in 1945, brought over domestic cats that mated with the Kurilian resulting in the Japanese Bobtail.

The history is similar to the Manx cat in relation to the tail (the Manx has no tail) and in respect of the isolated nature of the breed's evolution. However, the genetic mutation the gives the Kuril her short tail has no accompanying potentially harmful condition as is the case for the Manx. This is a healthy and robust breed.

History

Date	Event
to 1900s?	Breed evolves as a small wild cat on volcanic Pacific Ocean Islands until domesticated
1950-70	Breed "discovered" on islands
1980	Breed imported from the islands to Russia
1990	The breed's first shows
1991	Soviet Felinological Federation (SFF) publishes breed standard
1995	World Cat Federation (WCF¹) recognises the breed and standard
2001	Breed standard re-written
2003	FiFe recognizes the breed as a Native Russian Breed
2003	TICA recognizes the breed
Future	Plans to expand the breed (particularly to USA) as the Kurilian Bobtail is almost exclusively bred in Russia. Representations to CFA and recognition by that registry are an objective

Appearance and Character

Photograph © Helmi Flick - this thumbnail links to another page where the appearance is discussed in reference to a large version of this photograph

It is said that this breed is smaller as a wild cat than as a domestic cat due to successful breeding. However, early bred Kurilian Bobtails were apparently small and cobby due to a small gene pool.

They are now considered a large cat (15-19lbs), and described as "brawny". They are a well balanced, intelligent and have a gentle character. They prefer not to be solitary (and are therefore social cats) and in the wild they form packs.

The bobbed tail is 3-8 centimeters long (not including the fur - according to the breed standard). The breed standard allows all colors except color points, fawn, chocolate, cinnamon, lilac and these with white. A favored color/pattern is Japanese style calico (Mi-ke).

She is dog-like, faithful and likes water (in the wild she feeds on fish). They have a "wild look".

Breeders

Selected from the first 3 pages of Google search list.

USA Pride Kurilian Bobtails (link)
This breeder's website ranks top of the Google listings and is as far as I can ascertain the premier cattery for this breed in the USA.

Ketoi CZ
Located in the Czech Republic.

Barrayar
Located in Russia. It seems that the cattery is located in Moscow and the regions.

Siberia Frost
Located in Russia. They don't say where they are located. Most of the catteries are in Habarovsk, Moscow, Astrahanj, Ufa, Saratov and Volgogradand.

OrchidBobs
Based in the USA I think (just doesn't come across on the site where they are).

Superbob
Located in Moscow. How do I know? They say it on their site! This is rare (to say where you're based) judging by common practice.

Vetka Sakury RU
Located in Russia but can't see where as once again it is not clear on the site. This is not due to it being in Russian.

Legacy Kurilians
They say that they are the only Kuril breeder in the USA which appears not to be true as USA Pride above is also based in the USA. Note: I don't think this breeder is functional as this is a one page site with no contact details!

Note (from above):

1. The WCF was founded on 1988 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil by three cat clubs. They were looking for a more democratic and human approach in the cat fancy. Currently the WCF consists of more than 540 clubs throughout the world in all continents including USA.

Sources:

Wikipedia (cat and Kuril Isalnds)
Messybeast
Breeders websites