The Pixie-bob is a large, wild-looking American breed designed to resemble the North American Bobcat — though genetic testing has confirmed the breed is fully domestic with no wildcat ancestry.
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The Pixie-bob is a large, wild-looking American breed designed to resemble the North American Bobcat — though genetic testing has confirmed the breed is fully domestic with no wildcat ancestry. Sturdy, intelligent, and dog-like, the Pixie-bob is loyal, vocal, and unusually polydactyl-friendly (the breed standard accepts up to seven toes per paw).
The breed was created by Carol Ann Brewer in Washington state in 1985, starting with a spotted polydactyl barn cat she believed had wildcat ancestry. Genetic testing has since shown no wildcat genes. TICA recognised the breed in 1998.
Medium-large, robust. Adults weigh 4–8 kg (9–18 lb); males up to 11 kg.
Loyal, intelligent, dog-like. Most Pixie-bobs are devoted to family, learn fetch and tricks, walk on harnesses, and bond with one or two primary people.
Standard cat care. Coat varies by variety.
12–15 years.
Pros: wild appearance with domestic temperament, loyal, intelligent. Cons: uncommon; some lines have inconsistent type.
Are they part bobcat? No — genetic testing confirmed fully domestic ancestry despite the resemblance.
Why polydactyl? Accepted as part of the breed standard. Doesn't cause health issues.
Are they good with kids? Yes — friendly and tolerant.
Are they hypoallergenic? No.
The Pixie-bob — The Cat That Looks Like a Bobcat
10–11 minutes
Pixie-bob cat with wild bobcat appearance, tufted ears, spotted coat, short tail. Caption: "DOMESTIC BOBCAT".
Photograph of a Pixie-bob cat with distinctly wild bobcat appearance, brown spotted tabby coat, lynx-tipped ears with tufts, short bobbed tail, muscular build, intense expression, soft forest background blurred, golden side lighting, 85mm lens at f/2.8, professional cat photography, ultra-sharp focus on eyes and ear tufts.
The Pixie-bob looks like a domesticated bobcat — and was believed by its founder to be a bobcat-domestic hybrid. DNA testing later disproved this, but the wild look remains. Today we cover the breed origin, the dog-like temperament, care, health, and whether the Pixie-bob is your cat.
⏱ Timestamps 00:00 Intro Hook 01:00 Origin: Carol Brewer and the Washington Cats 02:30 Temperament: Dog-Like and Devoted 04:00 Care: Easy Coat, Indoor Active 05:30 Health: Polydactyly and Robust 07:00 Training: Highly Trainable 08:30 3 Biggest Mistakes New Pixie-bob Owners Make 10:00 Is The Pixie-bob Right For You? 11:00 Outro
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"Imagine a small bobcat. Spotted coat. Tufted ears. Short tail. Now imagine that cat behaving like a loyal dog — fetching, walking on leash, greeting you at the door. That is the Pixie-bob. Today: the breed origin, the famously dog-like temperament, care, health, and whether the Pixie-bob is your cat."
"In 1985, Carol Ann Brewer of Washington State adopted a large bobtailed cat she believed was a bobcat-domestic hybrid. She named the breed Pixie-bob after one of her foundation cats. DNA testing in the 1990s and 2000s showed the Pixie-bob has no bobcat DNA — the breed is fully domestic, simply selected for wild appearance. TICA accepted the Pixie-bob in 1994. The breed is one of the few accepted with polydactyl (extra-toed) paws. Most Pixie-bobs are shorthaired but a longhair variety exists."
"Pixie-bobs are intelligent, loyal, sociable, and famously dog-like. They fetch. They walk on leash. They greet visitors. They follow their humans. They learn names within days. Voice is moderate. Pixie-bobs chirp, trill, and chatter. Bonding is intense and often one-person. Energy is moderate to high. With other animals — excellent. Pixie-bobs pair well with friendly dogs and other Pixie-bobs. Children — wonderful."
"Shorthair: weekly rubber mitt. Longhair: twice-weekly comb. Bath every three months. Nails fortnightly — extra nails on polydactyl paws need separate trim. Teeth daily. Enrichment: tall cat tree, daily play, puzzle feeders. Indoor or supervised catio."
"Lifespan twelve to fifteen years. Health concerns: Polydactyly — not a disease. Extra toes are part of the breed standard. HCM in some lines. Annual cardiac ultrasound from age four. Hip dysplasia in larger individuals. Otherwise generally robust."
"Highly trainable. Targets: name, recall, sit, fetch, harness wear, tricks. Leash training works easily. Litter solved by the breeder. Scratching: tall sisal posts."
"Mistake one: assuming bobcat hybrid status. The Pixie-bob is fully domestic. How to avoid: educate yourself. Mistake two: ignoring extra nail care. Polydactyl paws need careful nail trimming. How to avoid: trim all nails fortnightly. Mistake three: leaving alone all day. Dog-like dependency. How to avoid: pair with another pet or be home much of the day."
"Checklist: You want a dog-like loyal cat. You can manage extra nail care. You provide engagement. You want a wild-looking domestic breed. You enjoy training. Tick four — the Pixie-bob is wonderful."
"That is the Pixie-bob — the cat that looks like a bobcat. Loyal. Trainable. Beautiful. Next breed? Comment below. Subscribe and the bell. Next week: the Turkish Van — the swimming cat of Lake Van." (End screen: subscribe button, 'watch next: Turkish Van' thumbnail, channel logo)