One of the many breeds created for the “holy cow what the heck is that” effect, the Pixie Bob is a cat in good company with some of its more exotic counterparts. In spite of the supposed “Legends” and clouded history of the animals, people are welcoming into them into their home at a surprising rate. If you find yourself wishing to walk on the wild side then maybe a Pixie Bob will be right up your alley.
Colors Allowed
Varying shades of brown and silver are permitted, with spots and bars differing in both depth and color. Markings preferred are mascara like lining around the eyes, barring on the whisker pads, and heavy, natural looking coat shading, lighter at the soft parts of the muzzle, belly, and under the tail. This should be a heavy, shaggy kind of coat which in spite of its length should be easy to keep clean and groom, mats at debris falling out of the coat with minimal prodding. Black striping around the ears and black ear tufts are also highly desirable.
About the Pixie Bob
Much that isn’t true is often said of the Pixie Bob, and I think that rather than all the superstition and hype the cat community would prefer the truth of things instead. Pixies are large cats and can weigh upwards of over twenty pounds, their massive paws can sport extra toes (the only breed allowed by the CFA to be polydactyl), and their tufted ears and bob tail make them look like they could take down moderately sized prey animals. They seem fairly intelligent and as such adjust well to dogs and kids. They are quiet cats who, though they make a wide range of noises, are not prone to mewing a lot. They like their people and bond easily into their new families, and are one of the cat breeds known to travel well.
History of the Pixie Bob Breed
There is a lot of myth and superstition plaguing the Pixie Bob breed, and much of it has to do with the breed’s founder, Carol Ann Brewer of Washington State. Brewer claims to have found the early litters (the so called Legend Cats) as wild crossed cats including Bob Cat heritage, that the common story was a claim that a pet had come home, badly scratched, and then she would produced kittens supposedly sired by a wild Bob Cat. There is no scientific base for this superstition, and all reliable testing to date refutes the theory completely. Breeders are extremely fond of touting these myths, and many would have you believe that the “Legend Cat” is real, but the real story more likely includes many domestic animals, started by an accidental breeding that just came out kind of cool. The better breeders got much of the desired “look” from the Maine Coon Cat, one of the more popular long haired breeds, and this would certainly explain the ear tufts and shaggy, natural coat.
Similar Breeds of Cat
If the Pixie Bob crowd is a little too much to bear, consider the Maine Coon cat, this cat boast a very similar look, and the same rumors about its past, which dates to colonial times. These cats are more widely available and are likely to be a little more affordable. The major differences being that they have a normal amount of toes and a longer, normal length tail, but even their color is in line with the Pixie Bob and with striking markings is likely to be just as exotic a pet.
The Care of Exotic Pixie Bobs and Pixie Bob Kittens
I keep hearing rumors that you shouldn’t vaccinate these cats due to their “wildness”, that they like Bob Cats have problems with the Rabies and other vaccines. Being that these cats have no wild blood at all, that sounds like total garbage to me, and all pets should be vaccinated by a qualified veterinarian, anything else is just foolish. That said, if a breeder is ethical enough to confess a weakness like a vaccine allergy, you will want to inform your vet of this when the pet is taken in as a kitten. Other than this, because it is a mutt cat breed, the genetic base was pretty wide and as such the breed is fairly healthy and hardy.
Like all domestic cats, the genus of the Pixie Bob cat is Felis.
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