Today in almost every family live pets that delight their owners. Breeds of cats in Japan are not particularly 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 simply are not selected, preferring everything natural and pristine. In our homeland, as, indeed, around the world, immigrants from the country of the Rising Sun are not particularly popular because they are not allowed to participate in international exhibitions. But they will undoubtedly be a good choice as pets.
Common features of Japanese breeds
Let's dwell on this in more detail. Despite the fact that in Japan there are several different species of the cat family, nevertheless, all of them can distinguish some characteristic features that are common to all of them. If you carefully look at the photo of a cat Japanese 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 bobtail, while others were bred by crossbreeding.
- The roots of the breed go back to ancient times.
- All Japanese cats have excellent health.
- Lack of abundance of colors.
- In purely Japanese breeds, eye color is always the same. If you find individuals with heterochromia, then this is the work of American breeders.
- All cats lack a tail, which is their main hallmark.
If you see photos of Japanese cat breeds at least once, you can never confuse them with anyone else. And, as you probably guessed, the point here is not in appearance, but in the absence of a tail. But why animals do not have it? We will talk about this later.
Reasons for the lack of tail
Japan is an island nation, 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 it’s known how they appeared.
For a long time there was an opinion that for a long time the animals chopped off the tail, that subsequently they began to be born without it. However, such a version is unlikely. Scientists adhere to the theory that the main reason is genetic mutations. But they are not any disease or pathology, because animals, unlike many of their other brethren, have good health. 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 deduced the following:
Outside of Japan, the last two are very popular. Bobtail is even allowed at international cat shows. Let's find out how they managed to win the hearts of millions of people around the world, as well as represent themselves and whether it is worth starting them in their home.
Snoopy
Despite the fact that this breed is considered Japanese, nevertheless, it has no relation to this country. Its historical homeland and main habitat is China, but it turned out as it happened.
The breed of Japanese snoopy cats is distinguished by a peculiar, but pretty appearance. They have very funny faces and thick cheeks. Cats are short-haired and have a rather exotic color, which is called "red tabby van." The breed appeared in the mid-20th century thanks to American breeders by crossing Persians and American Shorthair.
Characteristic signs
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;
- magnificent tail.
But many breeders choose snoopy not only for attractiveness. 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 a subject of admiration and adoration not only among the Japanese, but also among people around the world. At home, she is rare and prestigious, and it is also believed that these pets bring good luck. Description of Japanese bobtail according to standards is as follows:
- a slender and toned body of medium size;
- the head in its shape resembles a triangle with smooth bends;
- muzzle slightly elongated, with pronounced cheekbones;
- large and forward-leaning ears;
- oval-shaped eyes with various shades;
- long massive legs;
- short and soft coat;
- fluffy tail, the length of which can reach 15 centimeters.
If you look at the photos of the Japanese Bobtail, then make sure that this breed is incredibly beautiful. But appearance is not their only advantage. Animals also have good health and unpretentiousness, so there are no special problems when caring for them.
Character Features
What should you pay attention to first of all? Japanese bobtail cats are not like their fellow snoopy. They are hunters by nature, so their character is simply explosive. Animals catch everything that only moves, so a private house is best suited for their maintenance. In a city apartment, cats will not have enough physical activity, which will negatively affect their health and behavior.
Another key point to keep in mind when keeping bobtails is that they quickly learn bad habits. Therefore, education must be dealt 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, because the bobtail is incredibly loyal and needs constant communication.
Care Features
This aspect should be given special attention. As noted earlier, the Japanese Bobtail breed is unpretentious and neat. Thanks to the short coat, the animals do not fade, and they do not need to be combed out often. Also, you don’t have to bathe too often, one or two times a year will be enough.
But ears should be given more attention. They need to be cleaned every week, because of the large size they accumulate a considerable amount of dirt. In addition, claws should be trimmed regularly. They grow quickly, so if you do not put them in order in time, then the animals will experience pain when walking.
The big problem with bobtail is curiosity. They will climb wherever possible. 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, it will not be difficult to teach a pet to sand. Bobtails are distinguished by good intelligence, therefore they understand that you need to cope with the need in the tray, and in other places you should not spoil. If you live in a private house, then four-legged friends will spend most of the time on the street, where they go to the toilet. And if it impersonates them in the middle of the night, they will wake the owner and be asked to let them out into the garden.
What to feed
So what do you need to know about this? Experts say that the ration of Japanese Bobtail cats must 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 start planning the menu yourself, 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 food, which is 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 stay on dry feed, as they are perfectly balanced, contain all the nutrients necessary for normal growth and good health, and will also cost less than buying food in a store.
Breeding
Bobtail and snoopy cats are ready to mate at the age of one year. However, their breeding 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 to get purebred thoroughbred kittens is not an easy task. In the search process, you need to consider the following nuances:
- the presence of a pedigree;
- tail length should not exceed 8 centimeters;
- healthy appearance;
- activity in behavior;
- colors.
If you manage to find a suitable cat that meets all the criteria, then there will be no problems with breeding. Thanks to good health, 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 of kittens can be from 2 to 7. Cats are very faithful parents, therefore they do not leave their children a single step, and also provide them with proper care and constant protection.
How much is
Bobtail prices can vary over a fairly wide range. It all depends on the purity of blood and the pedigree. When buying, special attention should be paid to the choice of the seller. According to experts, there is always a chance to stumble on a cross between yard cats or other breeds. Therefore, it is better to buy from experienced breeders or in specialized nurseries. As for the cost, on average it is 20-30 thousand rubles.
Conclusion
This article examined in detail the most popular cat breeds. If you have never had pets before, then it is worth thinking about getting them. These animals have good health and very rarely get sick, and it is also very easy to care for them. In addition, bobtail and snoopy are characterized by a calm disposition and playfulness, attached to their master. They are able to feel the mood of others, so if you come home tired or sad, you can be sure that they will amuse you.