Want a really distinctive—and really expensive—cat? Then consider the
Japanese Bobtail, a naturally occurring breed from (where else?) Japan, where they have long been considered good luck. True to their name, Bobtails have short (and puffy) tails. Most Bobtails are white, with patches of black or red, or both, on the face, back and tail. The Japanese are particularly fond of the Mi-Ke (“three furs”) variety—white with patches of
red and black.
Bobtails are affectionate and playful and, as you might expect from a breed originating from an island nation, very fond of fish. As noted earlier, they are expensive, since they are rare outside of Japan. (Historical tidbit: When American troops occupied Japan after World War II, the Japanese got a quick education about cats, learning from Americans that Bobtails aren’t “normal” by world cat standards.)
