At a glance the quick version
TICA gives males up to about 15 lb (6.8 kg) and females about 8-11 lb (3.6-5.0 kg). No lower figure for males is given.
Coat and looks how to spot one
shorthair or semi-longhair; naturally short, kinked 'pom-pom' tail
A sturdy, well-muscled cat of medium to large size with solid bone, a gently arched back and hind legs a little longer than the front. The coat comes in short and semi-long lengths and feels soft and silky, with little tendency to tangle. Its signature is a short, fluffy tail of kinked vertebrae that looks like a pom-pom, and no two tails are shaped exactly alike.213
Personality what they are like
Calm and kind despite its rugged, wild look. It is bright, curious and sociable, forms a strong bond with its people and tends to follow them around. It usually fits in well with children and other pets and can be trained to do simple tricks.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Moderate. Enjoys play sessions, jumping and watching the world from high perches; hunting-style toys suit its natural interest in chasing. Many are said to enjoy playing with water.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Low effort. Brushing about once a week is usually enough for both coat lengths, plus routine nail trims and tooth brushing.2
Home where they are happiest
Appreciates climbing space and tall perches from which to survey the room.2
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Like every cat, an obligate carnivore that does best on a complete, balanced cat food suited to its age and activity level, with fresh water always available.
Company who they like around
Sociable and people-focused, and generally adapts well to households with children and other animals.2
The story where it all began
Short-tailed cats have lived on the volcanic Kuril Islands and Sakhalin for at least two centuries. In the mid-1900s soldiers and scientists carried some of them to mainland Russia, where they became valued pets and mousers and were bred as a pedigree breed. WCF recognised the breed in 1994, and TICA later granted it championship status in 2012.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Every Kurilian Bobtail's tail is unique, with shapes likened to pom-poms, whisks, spirals or snags.2
- 2
The tail holds between 2 and 10 kinked vertebrae and measures only about 5-13 cm.1
- 3
The breed is known as a keen hunter and fisher, and many individuals enjoy water.1
- 4
TICA describes the breed as rare in the United States, with fewer than 100 cats there.2
Recognised by the official bits
- TICA
- Championship status since 20122
- FIFe
- Fully recognised in Category 3, as Kurilian Bobtail Longhair (KBL) and Shorthair (KBS) under one shared standard4
- WCF
- Recognised in 1994 as a single breed1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Kurilian Bobtail. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Deshedding springBrush more while sheddingevery day
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Kurilian Bobtail en.wikipedia.orgused for other names, origin, history, WCF recognition, tail size, colours
- TICA: Kurilian Bobtail tica.orgused for recognition, weight, lifespan, coat, temperament, grooming, fun facts
- FIFe standard KBL/KBS fifeweb.orgused for body and coat
- FIFe: Breeds fifeweb.orgused for recognition
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.