Japanese Bobtail Cat Breed Information
Also known as: Mi-Ke (calico tricolour), Maneki-Neko (the Lucky Cat)
The cat with the short pom-pom tail. The Japanese Bobtail is the model for the famous Maneki-Neko (beckoning cat) figurine and has been documented in Japanese art for over 1,000 years. Active, vocal, dog-like, and social.
A highly affectionate, highly trainable, great with young children cat. On the practical side: low grooming demands and minimal drool. The trade-off is vocal.
About the Japanese Bobtail.
The Japanese Bobtail is the cat with the short pom-pom tail and the 1,000-year history of appearing in Japanese art and folklore. The breed is the model for the Maneki-Neko, the beckoning lucky cat figurine seen in shopfronts across Japan. The tail mutation is genetically distinct from the Manx mutation and is not associated with the spinal abnormalities that affect Manx cats.
Personality and behaviour
Active, vocal, dog-like and social. The breed is intelligent and many Japanese Bobtails learn fetch and harness walking.
Care and grooming
Weekly brushing for shorthaired; twice-weekly for longhaired.
Indoor vs outdoor in New Zealand
Indoor or catio.
Where to find a Japanese Bobtail in New Zealand
NZCF and Catz Inc list registered breeders (NZCF Japanese Bobtail, Catz Inc Japanese Bobtail). NZ litters infrequent. Waitlist long, NZD 1,500 to 3,000.
The Japanese Bobtail, by the numbers.
Each trait scored 1 to 5 on the AKC scale. The verdict synthesises the data; the panels below show the strengths, group averages, and the full trait table.
Top strengths
Family Life
avg 4.3Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Pets
Physical
avg 2.0Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Social
avg 3.8Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Adaptability
Independence
Personality
avg 3.8Trainability
Energy Level
Vocal Level
Prey Drive
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a Japanese Bobtail.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Japanese Bobtail costs to own.
An indicative NZ lifetime cost: purchase, setup, then food, vet, insurance, grooming and other annual outgoings. Adjust the inputs to see how your choices change the total.
A Japanese Bobtail costs about
$136per month
$31
$4
$28,598
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$32 / mo
$385/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$31 / mo
$373/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$39 / mo
$470/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$8 / mo
$100/yr · brushes, shampoo, professional clips
Other
$25 / mo
$300/yr · toys, treats, dental, boarding
Indicative NZ averages calculated from breed weight, grooming need and screened-condition count. One-off costs (purchase $2,250 + setup $300) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the Japanese Bobtail compare?
This breed
Japanese Bobtail
$28,598
16-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,550
- Food (lifetime)$6,160
- Vet (lifetime)$7,520
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,968
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,600
- Other (lifetime)$4,800
Reference
Average NZ cat
$23,600
14-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$500
- Food (lifetime)$7,000
- Vet (lifetime)$5,600
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,600
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,400
- Other (lifetime)$3,500
A Japanese Bobtail costs about $4,998 more over a lifetime than the average nz cat, mostly higherpurchase + setup and highervet.
What to ask the breeder.
Reputable NZ cat breeders test for these conditions and share results. The bigger health drivers for the breed appear in the Common group.
Common
1 conditionDental disease
A common condition in the Japanese Bobtail. Ask the breeder about screening.
Rare but urgent
1 conditionGenerally healthy breed
Unlike Manx, the Japanese Bobtail tail mutation is not associated with spinal abnormalities.
The Japanese Bobtail in NZ.
- Popularity: A rare NZ pedigree breed.
- Typical price: NZ$1500–3000 from registered breeders or rescues
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: Coat handles all NZ regions.
- Living space: Apartments and houses both suit.
Who the Japanese Bobtail is for.
Suits
- Active households
- Multi-pet homes
- Owners wanting a vocal interactive cat
Less suited to
- Quiet households wanting a placid cat
- Outdoor-roaming setups
Common questions.
Is the Japanese Bobtail tail like a Manx?
Why is the calico Japanese Bobtail famous?
If the Japanese Bobtail appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
Manx
The tailless cat from the Isle of Man. Athletic, playful, dog-like in temperament, and one of the older recognised cat breeds. The taillessness comes from a single dominant gene with serious lethal and pathological effects in homozygous form, which means responsible breeding is essential.
Pixiebob
A US-developed breed bred to resemble the wild bobcat, with a short tail, often polydactyl paws, and a muscular build. Despite the wild appearance, the Pixiebob has no recent wild blood and is fully domestic in temperament.
Last reviewed:
Sources for this pageInformation only. Breed traits and health notes on this page are aggregated from public registry and breed-authority sources. Individual animals vary; this page is general information, not veterinary, behavioural, or insurance advice. Always consult a registered NZ vet or breeder for guidance specific to your situation.