|
As you may know, Kurilian bobtail was
not bred artificially. These tailless cats originate from Kuril
and Sakhalin Islands.
The severe nature conditions left their imprint on
the Kurilian bobtails’ look. Terrible stare of the forest hunter
and powerful constitution set it apart from all short-tailed breeds.
These cats incarnate the beauty and wildness of the Far East islands.
The best pastime for people living on Kuril Islands
is fishing. The fishermen could observe small and brave short-tailed
cats fishing and chasing after birds near them. The legend says
that the cats need their short hook-shaped tail for clutching at
rush canes while fishing. During fishing season, cats practically
live on the riverbanks and arrange shelters. They are afraid of
nobody. There are only two big predators on Kuril Islands: the bear
and the man. The cat can easily escape from the bear and it has
already tamed the man a long time ago.
|
|
Nevertheless, Kurilian bobtails do not
smell so that not to fall a prey to other bigger predators. The
only reason can be provided as an explanation. Not so long ago,
Kurilian bobtails lived and hunted naturally. In this situation,
the slightest smell could change the cat into prey for other predator.
When visiting homes where 5-6 Kurilian bobtails live, your sense
of smell catches no odor of cats.
|
| The visitors of shows
ask very often if the tails are bobbed. The breeders explain untiringly
that this is a natural dominant mutation which is peculiar to this
breed. Kurilian bobtails are born with such tails. But it is absolutely
impossible to find two identical tails. The natural curves and kinks
of their tails serve cats for something like human fingerprints.
The tail is small. When you look from behind at this
tail forming spiral
or fishhook, it
resembles a rabbit tail. In addition to its “rabbit tail”, the hind
legs are longer than forelegs. That is why the step of Kurilian
bobtail is arch and when it runs or jumps the similarity to a rabbit
becomes more evident.
If you look at Kurilian bobtail sideways, you will
see its similarity to a lynx. When Kurilian bobtail hunts it never
presses itself to the ground. It is in hiding, leaving its croup
raised, as lynx usually does, in order to push away at its full
potential.
|
| The body of Kurilian bobtail is muscular
and compact. They are shorter, but taller than long-tailed cats.
The legs are strong and long. Kurilian bobtail is the best jumper
among other breeds of cats. Standing its broad jump, it easily “clears
the bar” at a height beyond the reach of long-tailed cats. But this
spring ability gives their owners no trouble, being compensated
by intelligence and good manners of this breed.
The Kurilian bobtails love to play in water. Some
Kurilian bobtails still like to take a bath together with their
owners. That is very amusing. But they can’t swim between islands.
Therefore the appearance of Kurilian bobtails from different islands
can vary as a result of isolation. However, this variability is
not so great to exceed the limits of allowable breed type.
|
|
|
Animals, taken out from several islands of the Kuril
ridge, formed the livestock of different catteries. Today there
are many generations of Kurilian bobtails, uniformity of which gives
grounds to think that breeding is conducted in a proper direction.
The cats did not degenerate, became easy-tempered
and tolerant to strangers. People arises legends about the Kurilian
bobtails’ love and devotion to their owners and families.
Its devotion coupled with force, adroitness and intelligence
permit to use these cats as “patrol cats”. Sure we can’t compare
Kurilian bobtail with Rottweiler or other war-dogs in force or fierceness,
but this cat takes the intrusion of any stranger into its territory
in the owner absence for personal insult. Sudden bound of a cat
weighting 7-9 kilograms can easily knock an adult down. Additionally,
its claws and fangs are dangerous arms.
The majority of cats demonstrate their independence.
Kurilian bobtails are more sociable. One could say that these cats
share some traits with dogs. Kurilian bobtails get attached to man
and not to domicile. They perfectly distinguish their owners from
other people, more precisely they choose the master, misses him
when he is away and is very happy when the master comes back.
Some Kurilian bobtails are fond of bringing toys.
You can throw an artificial mouse or a small ball and the cat will
bring back asking you to throw it again. You will be delighted with
such cat if you meet one.
They are very intelligent. There is no need to explain
something more than once. They understand from the fist. You can
also teach them to carry out commands. Indeed it will depend on
the cats’ mood and disposition. But in all the cases, very soon
you will make certain that Kurilian bobtails understand perfectly
your speech.
One could say that Kurilian bobtail is one of the
newest breeds. But, in spite of it, the rating of Kurilian bobtails
in Russia is great enough and continues to grow.
|
