Domestic Cats with a wild appearance have become increasingly popular over the last two decades, with the increased recognition of the impracticality, cruelty and illegality of keeping exotic pets such as Margays, Ocelots and Bobcats.

The Bengal Cat and the Pixie-Bob are new domestic breeds of cats designed to replicate the look of their exotic counterparts but with no elaborate care. They eat regular cat food, get along great with children and other pets and are easily taught to use a scratching post * and walk on a leash. They are healthy vigorous breeds reflecting the best of both worlds - the beauty and presence of the Leopard Cat and Bobcat, combined with a loving domestic nature.

* We use and recommend "Woodruff scratching posts" which are available through their web site.

The Pixie-Bob is thought to have originally developed from the naturally occurring crosses of barn cats to Bobcats in Washington state, where the Coastal Red Bobcat thrives. A number of these "natural hybrid" kittens were discovered and became the foundation for the Pixie-Bob breed. Pixie-Bobs going back to these original lines are called "Blue List." Selective breeding has produced a large boned and loving cat with the personality and devotion of a faithful dog. They bond very strongly to their family and get along well with other animals and children.

Pixie-Bobs have a thick double coat that stand up off the body having "loft". The texture is quite wooly reminiscent of a Bobcat and comes in both shorthair and longhair. The longhaired Pixie-Bobs have a softer texture to the coat, and the coat length is medium. Both long and shorthaired Pixie-Bobs should have substantial boning, a tall rangy body with incredible muscle tone and large thick toes. Polydactyl cats are allowed for showing with a maximum of 7 toes per foot. Males average 20 pounds with females averaging about 14. They keep growing for 2 to 3 years. The Pixie-Bobs face counts for 50 to 100 points in a cat show and gives the Pixie-Bob its unusual Bobcat look. Small almond shaped eyes, a thick fleshy chin, puffy nose, leather, heavy brow, lynx tipped ears and an inverted pear shaped head are features sought after in a show cat. The natural bob-tail can vary in length with the ideal being 4 - 6" on an adult cat and its frequently kinked , but should have flexibility and natural movement.

The Pixie-Bob comes in various shades of spotted and mackerel tabby ranging from a dove gray, tawny, through to a reddish brown, with small spots or rosettes. Extreme ticking should obscure the markings for a true Bobcat look. Sometimes kittens are born with a "classic" tabby pattern and these are usually sold as pets. Only colours found naturally in Bobcats can be used in a breeding program.  Some Bobcats have lynx tips on their ears and others do not (see above).

These "dogs in disguise" are unusual in both looks and personality and are on of the largest breeds of registered show-able cats. For more information about Pixie-Bobs, please visit Carol Brewer's (Breed founder) Pixie-Bob site or the site linked from the PixieBob.net photo.

**Please feel free to contact me for more information about either Bengals or Pixie-Bobs.**

	The "Origination Story" of the Pixie-Bob Breed.  Very well written, by Carol Brewer.
	Carol Brewer's Site dedicated to the Pixie-Bob Breed.  VERY good supplemental reading for those interested in this breed.  Catteries, characteristics, frequently asked questions, etc.
	The TICA Standard for Long-Haired Pixie-Bobs.
	The TICA Standard for Short-Haired Pixie-Bobs.