Probably the best cats in the world ... Leaving aside the mystical, and the possibly hysterical, people nevertheless tend towards superlatives when talking about their Pixie Bobs. Wild looking, often very large, it is their fascinating temperament about which people rave above everything else. TICA reports that a total of only 534 Pixie Bob kittens were registered for their Northern Europe region during 2006 and 2007 (no figures were available for 2008). With no more than an estimated 1,000 Pixie Bobs in all of Europe, half of which probably live in the UK, this breed is still extremely rare and only enjoyed by a select few amongst the millions of cat owners in Britain today.
In preparation for this article, I did a little survey amongst customers who've bought a Pixie Bob from me over the last few years.
Martine and Alain from France wrote: "Notwithstanding his wild and bobcatty looks, Baba Tunde is exceptionally intelligent and affectionate and with an imposing presence. When we are at home, he is always near us ....". Anne, who has been involved with breeding dogs for a long time, is besotted by her two Pixie Bob girls: "... Both go for walks on a harness with extended leads, they are just like little dogs. They love to be with you at all times, one loves to be cuddled while the other just wants to sit by you, Kiki chirps to us constantly and is very engaging with all our friends who visit. They are a breed apart and give us hours of enjoyment, they also travel very well in the car, with absolutely no stress. We just love this breed of cat." Jane of Dantes Pixie Bobs, tells us that hers "... are amazing and swim like fish!" Kelly, who has owned dogs and cats all her life, reports that "... I have never seen behaviour like it in a cat...". And it is her Pixie Bob's "vibrant personality, almost like a toddler" which Clare likes best.
 Sarah from France: "... These cats are able to quickly form very strong bonds with their owners. When I come home from work, I'm greeted by a celebration, a dance of caresses and affection, a chorus of purrs and happiness. ... The Pixie Bob is not yet well known, but once you allow one into your home, they do not become your pet, but a member of your family."
"The proof of the pudding", enthuses Nikki, "is that we have many friends who don't like cats - without exception they all love Muffin! Lots of personality but not in your face, affectionate but not a lap cat and very good with kids." The list goes on, but all mention their companion's larger than life personality and unexpected loyalty and affection that has definitely nothing to do with the feeding bowl. The breed's founder, Carole Ann Brewer, said it all: "Until you've owned one, it is difficult to appreciate the depth of the emotional connection that develops between a Pixie Bob and his owner". Pixie Bobs are confident and assertive cats. They use eye contact to cement a friendship and have a large range of sounds to communicate with us, but are a very quiet breed. They follow you around and come looking for you when you're out of sight. Their personalities, which they project powerfully, vary from boisterous, cheeky and chilled to pure sweetness. They are easy to train: fetch and retrieve is a favourite, and this intelligence is a bonus when it comes to teaching your companion the rules of your house.
 
The history of the breed is dogged by mystery. Bred to resemble the North American bobcat (lynx rufus), the Pixie Bob originates from the US, where it was first registered with TICA just under 20 years ago by a lady called Carole Ann Brewer. At that time, Ms Brewer and a group of other breeders had started to work with barn cats of a certain look. These cats distinguished themselves by displaying a large number of bobcat characteristics in look and temperament. Stories of a male bobcat mating their mothers usually accompanied their existence. Characteristics such as their solid build and big bones, strange noises they make, lynx eartips (even on the short-haired Pixie Bobs), coat colouring and texture, a love of water and their loyal and emotional temperaments are just some of those characteristics. Notwithstanding the widespread anecdotal evidence, no scientific proof exists to support any hybrid history of the breed. It is therefore classed a fully domestic breed.  |  The Pixie Bob is a medium to large cat with males up to 50% larger than females and reaching 11-13" to the shoulder and 18lb in weight. On average though, and particularly with the short tails, males tend to be 9-10" in the shoulder and 11-14lb with females reaching a similar height but a slighter weight of 9-11lb. Similar to other large breeds, they do not finish growing until they are three years of age. Both males and females are muscular and solid in bone, often heavier than they look.
 The coat of the long-haired Pixie Bobs is relatively short and requires no extra care. Often no longer than 1 or 2 inches, it feels woolly to the touch and can change base colour until the age of 3 years old.  Many Pixie Bobs are polydactyl, meaning they have extra toes. This is permitted by the breed standard, but any cat with more than 7 toes will be disqualified. Finally, and most importantly, what makes a Pixie Bob a Pixie Bob is her face: the brow should be heavy on the eyes, and the eyes should, when relaxed and looking straight at you, be flat across the top. The ideal eye shape for a Pixie Bob is a triangle: Up along the nose side, flat across to the outer corner of the eye and diagonally down towards the inner corner of the eye; not too large. Many Pixie Bobs however, manage to have a fabulous wild expression even without this triangle shape!
 Interestingly, and contributing to the breed's robust nature, lines developed from outcrosses to barn cats with specific characteristics are still permitted today. The first generation often referred to as Legend Cats (a term now registered as a trade mark in the US, but not the rest of the world), these outcross lines represent fresh blood to the breed. It also means, however, that anyone could simply add a domestic cat to their program, even if it does not display the required characteristics and thus diluting, rather than strengthening type and health.
It is therefore advisable that when you buy a Pixie Bob kitten, you buy from reputable breeders (see List of Pixie Bob breeders), who intimately know their bloodlines, who select for type and stated objectives and who have a rigorous health screening program in place. Such breeders will offer health and show guarantees and support you beyond the point of collection of your new kitten. Natalie Bent of Farwest Pixie Bobs in France was the first to import them into Europe: "We breeders have the challenge to preserve and develop that ethereal wildness, an unforgettable way in which they glance, move, look and carry themselves."
All that said, Pixie Bob cats for breeding are reassuringly expensive: queens and studs can cost between £3,000 and £4,500 depending on type and lines. Pets cost £1,000 and show pets up to £1,500.
"A breeder who invests to that level", explains Donna Cox of Alsoomse Pixie Bobs, "will make sure that their program remains healthy and does not get diluted. They will look after their cats, avoid stress and will not overbreed them. Don't expect them to be able to discount their prices though. But, if you are desperate for a Pixie Bob and price is a problem, breeders will occasionally have younger adults or retired breeders whom they will place for much lower fees to the right homes." "If Carlsberg did cats", my ex says, "Carlsberg would do Pixie Bobs." Probably the best cats in the world? You will have to decide for yourself.
|
About Pixie Bobs |
