Pixiebob

Two short-haired pixie-bob cats

Pixiebob (alternative spelling: Pixie-Bob ) is the name of a domestic cat breed . Reports that pixie bobs are said to be based on hybrids of bobcats and domestic cats are considered refuted.

In 1985 the American cat breeder Carol Ann Brewer bought a polydactyl male with spotted fur and a short, lynx-like, shortened tail . The tomcat is said to have emerged from the accidental mating of a house cat with a bobcat. Almost a year later, in January 1986, Carol Ann Brewer took on another tomcat, which is said to be the result of such a mating. In April of the same year this tomcat had offspring with another lynx-like cat from the neighborhood. Carol Ann kept a female kitten from the litter, which she called Pixie (fairy) because of her “unearthly” appearance. All "real" Pixiebobs go back to this cat.

In 1994 the breed was approved for exhibitions by the TICA . In 1995 an association of different breeders succeeded in petitioning the Pixiebob in the “New Color Breed” class for the next show year. The Pixiebob was only awarded full champion status in 1998.

At this point the legend about the origin of the breed had already been refuted. In genetic tests in 1995 and 1996, the DNA of the Pixiebob was compared with that of the Bobcat, but no relationship between these animals was found. Comparisons with the DNA of the pipe cat and the bengal cat or leopard cat were also negative. This means that the Pixiebob is genetically a pure house cat and has no traces of wildcat DNA.

Picture gallery

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  Short-haired pixiebob cat

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  6 year old pixiebob tomcat

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  Pixiebob kitten

Web links

• Carol Ann Brewer's Official Pixiebob Website
• The story of the pixie bob
• Pixiebobs HD photos
• TICA description of the Pixiebob (s)