PUBLICATION MAGAZINE VOLUME ONE magz onl | Page 17

15 KNOW YOUR CAT BREEDS
KURILIAN BOBTAIL
HISTORIC - RUSSIA - RARE
A N EXTREMELY RARE BREED,the Kurilian
The Kurilian Bobtail socializes extremely well
with people, other cats, dogs, and children.
Bobtail is still not reconized by many of major
Accounts of short-tailed cats were first received
cat associations, yet it is an extraordinary and
in the mid-twentieth century from scientists and
endearing cat with tremendous character and great
military personnel on the Kuril islands,and its
intellignece. It is widely considered to be a natural
appears that a number of the cats were taken back
breed that develop and continues to live in an
to mainland Russia. Here they proved very popular
isolated enviroment ; this has led to its particular
characteristics and great uniformity in the breed. It as a pets due to their wonderful temperament, easily
adapting to domestic life despite their remote and
originates from a chain of fifty-six islands knowns
as the Kurlis, which run from the southern point of wild origins.
Given that they are bobtailed and that the islands
the Kamchatka penisula in Russia to the northest
provide a link between Russia and Japan, parallels
of the Hokkaido, Japan, and separate the Sea of
Okhotsk from the North Pacific Ocean. The islands have been drawn between them and the Japanese
Bobtail. While science has not yet uncovered the
are subject to extremely severe weather conditions
genetic relationship betwwen those two breeds,
subartic cold and heavy snowfall throughout the
long winter, and prolonged precipitation and fog on it can be assumed that there is a shared ancestry
at some point. Many enthusiasts of the Kurilian
the summer months. It is not known how long the
Bobtail suggest that this breed gave rise to the
Kurilian Bobtail has lived in this dificult habitat,
although it is quite possible that is has existed here Japaese Bobtail. Somewhat confusinly, Russia is
also home to the Karelian Bobtail,which is not
in thw wild for a very long time.
related to the Kurilian Bobtail. The Karelian derives
Unsurprisingly, in view of its harsh natural
its short tail from recessive gene and developed
habitat, the Kurilian is an extremely hardy and
on the opposite side of the country, in the western
robust cat, which is also known for its good
regions of Russia around St. Petersburg.
swimming skills and efficient hunting abilities.
The World Cat Federation (WCF) ranks the
It is reported that this cat will not only kill rats,
Kurilian as the fourth breed in cat popularity in
rabbits, and other vermin, but will also catch fish
Russia. In recent years there has been contered
in the shallows. It is a highly resourceful and
effort by enthusiasts to get the breed more firmly
intelligent cat and has a wildcat appearance that is
established and on the international footing.
totally at odds with its very affectionate nature. It
bonds quickly and strongly with its owners and has At present there are between forty and seventy
catteries breeding Kurilian in Russia, in both short-
several quite doglike characteristics, including a
meet-and-greet service at the front door ! Instead of and long-haired varieties. In view of their truly
taking over one’s lap, it prefers to lie at its owner’s charming qualities it seems likely that this breed
will soon be adopted into America and European
feet, and will often engage in a game of fetch. It
also seem yo exhibit something of a sense of humor hearts.
and can be endearingly clownish.