In contrast to famous and recognized all over the world Japanese Bobtails, Kurilian short-tailed cat was “discovered” at the end of the 20th century. Well, there lived a cat with a short tail-pompon on the Kuril Islands. Its wonderful temper and good-nature of a rat-catcher make all local inhabitants happy. There lived a cat and didn’t have any problems. But it turned out to be not just a cat without a tail, but a real Russian wonder, that made people from all over the world, who are fond of cats, applaud and be delighted with it. American selectionists had been working at creating a short-tailed cat of “wild” type for 20-30 years, when it appeared to be here and waiting for its time! The main Kurilian cats’ difference from its Japanese fellows is not only the different genetic origin of a tail (it is not proved today), but a special charm of Kurilian cats.
Probably, Kurilian Bobtail borrowed a brawny body, wide face from its nearest relative – Siberian Cat, and a short tail-flourish, keen ears, spring legs and unique temper from its another relative – Japanese Bobtail. Its look of a wild taiga animal harmonizes with a dog’s devotion.
But it is all lyrics. It is exactly known, that there were the cats without tails on Kuril Islands and on Sakhalin, and long ago in the middle of the 15th century soldiers and geologists, coming back from their distant business trips, took the short-tailed cats with them, but there was no a word about Bobtail’s breed. You know, there was no termin “felinology” in Russia at that time! Only at the end of the 80’ of the last century some of cats-lovers, who became the owners of the wonderful cats with a tail-pompon, paid attention to the breed. It was read in rare encyclopedias, that such cats had the “import” name – “Japanese Bobtail”. At that time the first cats’ exhibitions gathered lots of people, the most famous experts from abroad were invited, the first soviet judges appeared. And the admirers of the short-tailed cats puzzled them. The judges agreed this animal was beautiful and harmonious, but they didn’t know what animal was it! Many short-tailed cats, which were brought from the Far East Islands, were named “Japanese”, and the certificates were given to them. No doubt, the most part of the cats suited the type of Japanese Bobtail, and that was proved by victories and beautiful descendants. But a lot of these cats differed in face, body and type of hair. Thanks to some enthusiasts from islands Kunashir and Iturup the new short-haired and long-haired cats were brought, and the soviet felinologists began creating a new type of the breed. The first step in developing of the breed, which had already got the name of “Kurilian Bobtail”, was the creating the preliminary type in Soviet Feline Federation (SFF). After the results of the first litters it was clear that the type of “Kurilian Bobtails” and a short-tail were stable inherited and the tail-pompon was not dangerous for theirs health. On the 21st of October in 1991 the SFF took the first type of “Kurilian Bobtail”, but it was important not only to begin breeding Kurilian Bobtails, but to prove Feline Europe, that a new type of cats is worth to be. On the seminar of experts-felinologists on the 4th of December in 1994 Russia offered to complete the type according to aboriginal breed, and prepare the materials for the new breed affirmation in WCF (World Cat Federation).
Finally the type of Kurilian Bobtails was taken by WCF in 1995. Europe began being interested in Russian short-tailed cats: first places in exhibitions in Czechia, Poland, Germany, and Italy were taken. Over 10 catteries appeared in Europe. We can say that now Kurilian Bobtail is one of the youngest breeds, but in spite of this the Bobtails are very popular in Russia. In fact there are no exhibitions without Kurilian Bobtails. Russian people like these cats and keep them in houses, flats and country houses. The cats differ by their quiet temper, sociability and they are good hunters. As usual, in Moscow, Sant-Petersberg only women keep these cats, but in Far East the Bobtails are the subject of pride of strong men, sailors and fishermen, because the cats are very big (over 8-10 kg).
We can speak about short tails of Bobtails for hours. To begin with what is “Bobtail”? Actually, the meaning of the word is “dock tail”. It means short, twirled, rolled or wrapped up tail. Their tails are unique. Nobody can find one and the same shape of their tails. They are like people finger-prints. They are as unique as it is possible. And the unique of the tails is not an aim of the breeding, and may be such tail is their charm.
Giving an expert opinion a judge has to name visible part of the tail, number of tail vertebrae and mobility of vertebrae. According to the type of Kurilian Bobtails, which was affirmed on the 16-17 of June in 2001 on the seminar of the International expert-felinologists in Moscow, the tail is described as short (3-8 sm). The tail consists of 2-10 vertebrae with any type of mobility.
