Standards

The Pixie Bob breeders continue to develop this domestic cat to resemble as far as possible the wild beautiful powerful look of the North American Bobcat, whilst not detracting from its interactive affectionate dog-like character for which it is renowned.

Everything about the Pixie Bob creates its wild allure, whether it is the short or semi-long-haired variety, long-tailed* or short-tailed.  Whilst it may not be the largest of domestic cats (females range on average between 8-15lbs and males 12-22lbs), they are sturdy, muscular and heavy boned, with rolling gaits and primordial pouch reminiscent of the big cats.  Equally and most importantly their inverted pear-shaped head, lynx-tipped ears and facial features, including the formidable triangular eye and ‘make up’, nose leather, broad prominent fleshy muzzle and chin, all remind you that there is something very special about this breed.

* Pixie Bobs are born with tails of many different lengths, including long-tails.  Some breeders dock tails as long-tailed kittens do not meet the Pixie Bob breed standards, however we do not agree with this practice and our kittens will not be docked.  Long-tailed Pixie Bobs, although they cannot be shown, have beautiful tails and look equally wild.  Take a look at ‘Tooki’.  People often comment that her tail is like a fox’s brush!

Breed Standard Specifics

- Head -

Shape: Medium to large inverted wide pear.

Profile: Slightly rounded forehead to eye ridge, slightly concave curve from eye ridge to bridge of nose (nose break).  Slightly convex nose, muzzle; squared and blunt.

Ears: Medium in height with a wide deep base, slightly outward tilting, set as much to the side of the head as on top.  The top of the ear is slightly rounded with lynx tips preferable and lighter coloured thumb prints on the back of the ears.

Eyes: Deep set, one eye width apart, with the corner of the eye in line with the bottom of the ear.  Soft triangular shape in appearance; one side being the heavy hooded brow, the second side being the almost vertical line down towards the inner corner of the eye and the third line which slants upwards towards the outer corner of the eye.  Pixie Bobs are often described as looking half asleep or lazy because of this shape (do not be deceived!), this is emphasised by the heavy fur above the eye.  Eyes should be a deep golden colour, although gooseberry green is acceptable, and eye ‘make up’ be apparent; cream or white band surrounding the eye and dark ‘mascara’ lines running from the corner of the eyes downwards towards the cheeks.

Muzzle: Broad with a definite ‘break’, brick-coloured nose leather and convex profile (bump) to the bridge is preferable; the distance between the nose break and the large fleshy nose leather should be no less than the distance between the prominent brow and the nose break.  Must have fleshy whisker pads.

Chin: Well built, fleshy and having depth.  Has coarse fuzzy hair and chin should be aligned with the end of the nose. In profile the chin should never extend beyond the muzzle.






- Body -

Torso:  Medium to large, rangy but with great depth.  Has prominent shoulder blades producing a rolling gait, and uneven back; dip behind the shoulder with an upwards slope towards the hips, which are higher than the shoulders. The flank is deep and powerful. Has a long sloping croup to the tail.
The chest is broad and well developed.  Both male and female Pixie Bobs have a primordial belly pouch visible.

Legs: Are long, heavy boned and muscular. Back legs are slightly longer than their front legs.

Feet: Large feet, long and wide, being almost round in appearance, with big knuckles and fleshy toes.  Polydactyl accepted also, however seven toes being the maximum allowed.  All toes must lie on the floor and point forward.  Leg, wrist and feet must be straight when viewed from the front.

Tail: Articulated tail is preferred although kinks and knots are still accepted.  Tail (measured by the bone) must be a minimum of 2”, with the maximum allowed being hock length with the hind leg when it is fully extended.  When relaxed, the tail should be carried low.

- Coat / Colour / Pattern -

Length PB (short coated Pixie Bob): Short and must stand up off the body - having ‘loft’. The dense belly hair is longer than the rest of the coat.
Length PL (long coated Pixie Bob): Medium, under 2”.  The dense belly hair is longer than the rest of the coat.
In both PBs and PLs, facial hair is full in appearance with a dominant downwards growth pattern. Neither the PB or PL must have a ruff around the neck.  Both have heavy fur above the eyes and fuzzy chin.  Coat length tends to change depending on seasons/weather.

Texture PB: Soft and woolly, having ‘loft’ and is resilient to the touch.
Texture PL: Silkier and lying closer to the body than the PB.

Colour: Varies between light to medium shades of brown spotted tabby with warm reddish tones preferable.  Several bands of colour must be visible on the agouti hair giving a wild hare appearance; mandatory dark grey base, with warm tones for the ground colour, darker bands of colour nearer to the skin and lighter bands at the top of each hair and tip, giving a frosted appearance to the coat.  This muting appears heavier in winter coat. 
N.B. black or dark brown bands for the spotting.
Area between chin to belly, and descending to inner legs should be pale but with mouse grey base.  Area of the paw pads to the hock must be dark brown/black, as should the end of the tail.