Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Karelian Bobtail is an aboriginal cat breed that developed in the territory of Karelia and the northwestern regions of Russia. These cats have long lived in harsh northern conditions with cold winters and short summers, which led to the formation of a dense coat and a strong constitution. A distinctive feature of the breed is its short tail, resulting from a natural mutation that became fixed in the population through natural selection. These cats were known for their endurance, hunting ability, and adaptation to life alongside humans. In the 1990s, breeding work began to consolidate the breed and create an official standard. Today, the Karelian Bobtail is recognized as a rare and unique breed that has preserved its historical and regional heritage. It is valued for its natural type, friendly temperament, and harmonious exterior.
General Appearance
The Karelian Bobtail is a medium-sized cat with a strong, muscular body, proportionate build, and well-developed bone structure. Its distinguishing feature is the short tail, which can take various forms — spiral, stump, or kinked — but always harmonizes with the overall body shape. The head has soft contours and smooth transitions without sharp angles. The ears are medium-sized and set high; the eyes are large, oval, and expressive. The coat may be semi-long or short, always dense and double-layered, adapted to northern climates. Colors are permitted in a wide range. Overall, the Karelian Bobtail represents a naturally balanced cat with a resilient type, maintaining harmony, nobility, and elegance.
Important Proportions
The body of the Karelian Bobtail must be balanced and symmetrical, preserving natural harmony. The torso is moderately long, slightly extended but not coarse. Limbs are of medium length, strong, and proportionate to the body, with round, sturdy paws. The head is slightly elongated, proportionally wide, with soft lines; the muzzle is rounded but not pointed. Eyes are large, set wide apart, enhancing expressiveness. Ears harmonize with the shape of the head and should not appear too large or too small. The neck is of medium length, smoothly merging into the shoulders. The tail is short, varying in length, but must always be clearly visible as a breed hallmark. The overall proportions create the impression of a strong, well-balanced cat, neither heavy nor delicate, combining power and grace.
Behavior and Temperament
The Karelian Bobtail has a lively, balanced, and friendly temperament. These cats are intelligent, social, and affectionate toward people while retaining independence and a natural sense of freedom. They adapt well to various living conditions, have a well-developed hunting instinct, yet remain gentle and devoted companions. In their interactions, they show tolerance, friendliness, and calmness, getting along well with children and other animals. The breed is active and curious, enjoys play and exploration, and thrives on communication. Due to their natural intelligence, they are easily trained and can learn simple commands. When properly raised, the Karelian Bobtail becomes a harmonious companion that combines natural strength, gentleness, and loyalty to its family.
Head
The head of the Karelian Bobtail is medium-sized, proportional to the body, with soft outlines and harmonious lines. The skull is slightly elongated, the forehead smooth and without sharp transitions. Cheekbones are moderately defined, not broad but distinct, giving the face a tidy appearance. The transition from forehead to muzzle is gentle; the nose is straight and of medium length. The chin is firm, not massive, rounded in profile, and well balanced. The head should appear natural, without signs of heaviness or refinement. All lines merge smoothly, creating a harmonious expression that emphasizes the natural, elegant character of the breed.
Facial Part
The facial part is neat and softly contoured, free from angularity. The muzzle is of medium length, slightly rounded, neither pointed nor short. The nose is straight, of medium width, without a hump or excessive narrowing. The chin is defined but not protruding, harmonizing with the rest of the head. Cheekbones are smooth and graceful; cheeks are moderate and not overly developed. The facial structure should appear open and expressive, true to the natural aboriginal type. Harmony between the nose, muzzle, and cheek area is a key requirement of the standard.
Eyes
The eyes of the Karelian Bobtail are large, open, oval, and slightly slanted, giving the breed its characteristic expressiveness. They are set wide apart yet balanced; the expression is soft and lively. The eye color is bright and saturated, varying according to coat color, though clear and harmonious tones are preferred. The eyes should reflect the cat’s personality — friendly, attentive, and intelligent. Narrow, overly round, or small eyes are undesirable. The Karelian Bobtail’s gaze is one of its defining traits, reflecting openness and natural charm.
Ears
The ears are of medium size, set wide apart, and slightly tilted forward, giving the impression of attentiveness. The base is broad, the tips gently rounded. Inner ear furnishings are well developed, adding expressiveness. The ears should harmonize with the shape of the head, neither too large nor too small. The set is high but not vertical, with a soft forward angle that enhances the breed’s natural appearance. The proportion and placement of the ears define the balanced silhouette of the head. Low-set or overly narrow ears are undesirable.
Neck
The neck of the Karelian Bobtail is of medium length, strong, and muscular, connecting harmoniously to the body. It broadens smoothly toward the shoulders and should not appear too short or elongated. The thickness of the neck corresponds to the cat’s overall build and sex: males may have a more powerful neck, females a more refined one. The neck should maintain smooth lines and emphasize the natural elegance of the silhouette. In motion, it demonstrates flexibility and strength, supporting the head naturally. Coarseness or excessive delicacy are faults.
Body
The body is medium-sized, solid, and balanced, with well-developed muscles and a distinct bone structure. The chest is broad and rounded, smoothly transitioning to the loins. The back is straight or slightly raised toward the croup. The abdomen is firm, without heaviness. The overall silhouette should convey harmony and strength, preserving the natural aboriginal type. The Karelian Bobtail appears robust and enduring, capable of agile movement and survival in harsh conditions. Coarseness, narrowness, or excessive mass are undesirable.
Tail
The defining feature of the Karelian Bobtail is its short tail, ranging from 4 to 13 cm in length but always clearly visible. It may be curved, spiral, kinked, or stump-like. The tail consists of deformed vertebrae but must be fully covered with fur, without bald spots or defects. It should harmonize with the body and not hinder movement. Each cat’s tail shape is unique, which is acceptable and typical for the breed. Absence of a tail or an excessively long one are serious faults.
Exterior Description
Forelimbs
The forelimbs are of medium length, strong, straight, and well-muscled. Bones are solid but not coarse, proportionate to the body. Shoulder blades are moderately slanted, allowing free movement. Paws are round and compact, with well-developed pads. Toes are strong; claws are retractable and firm. The limbs should provide both strength and agility, ensuring stability and balance. Curved bones, weak structure, or instability are undesirable.
Hind Limbs
The hind limbs are more powerful and slightly longer than the forelimbs, giving the body a gentle upward slope from shoulders to croup. Thighs are muscular, lower legs strong, and joints flexible. Paws are round, similar to the front ones but stronger. This structure provides jumping power, endurance, and agility. The hind legs must be straight and well-balanced. Weak, deformed, or overly elongated limbs are considered faults.
Gait and Movement
The Karelian Bobtail’s gait is light, springy, and well-coordinated. The cat moves confidently, with smooth yet powerful steps. Its jumps are strong and precise, thanks to powerful hindquarters. Movements must not appear swaying, clumsy, or stiff. All motion should reflect natural grace, vitality, and endurance. The Karelian Bobtail displays agility and flexibility, maintaining a sense of strength and balance.
Coat
The coat of the Karelian Bobtail can be short or semi-long but is always dense and double-layered, with a well-developed undercoat protecting against cold. The hair is resilient and close-lying or slightly lifted from the body, providing natural insulation. Semi-longhaired cats have a softer coat with feathering on the neck, tail, and hind legs, while shorthaired cats have a firmer texture. The coat should appear clean, glossy, and healthy, reflecting the cat’s natural adaptation.
Acceptable Colors
The Karelian Bobtail is permitted in all traditional colors except pointed, chocolate, lilac, fawn, and cinnamon. Solid, tabby (all types), silver, smoke, tortoiseshell, and bicolor patterns are acceptable. White may occur as a primary or secondary color. Attention should be given to uniformity and clarity of markings. The coat color must complement the eye color and preserve overall harmony. Artificial or non-standard colors are not permitted.
Size
The Karelian Bobtail is a medium-sized cat. Males are generally larger, weighing 4.5–7 kg, with a muscular, solid body. Females are lighter and more graceful, weighing 3–5 kg, with a slightly longer and slimmer torso. Adult height at the withers ranges from 25 to 35 cm. The cat should appear strong and well-proportioned, neither heavy nor thin. The proportions must balance strength and elegance — a key breed quality.
Faults
Faults include deviations from the standard that do not affect health but disrupt harmony of appearance: weak bone structure, excessive thinness or heaviness, too long or nearly absent tail, or untypical head shape. Overly large or small ears, narrow muzzle, round or small eyes are undesirable. Weak muscles, poor proportions, stiff gait, lack of undercoat, uneven or dull coat color are faults. Behavioral faults such as shyness or aggressiveness that contradict the breed’s balanced temperament are also considered undesirable.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations from the ICCF standard: complete absence of a tail (anury) or excessively long tail beyond the accepted range; tail defects with exposed vertebrae or bald spots; severe bite deformities, head malformations, strabismus, or deafness. Cats with hereditary diseases or musculoskeletal or behavioral disorders are disqualified. Non-standard coat colors are not accepted. Any artificial alteration of appearance, including tail correction or dyeing, results in disqualification.
Important Notes
The Karelian Bobtail is a rare aboriginal breed valued for its natural type and harmonious development. Breeding programs must focus on preserving health, strong bone structure, and the breed’s key features — the tail and coat. Inbreeding should be avoided to maintain genetic diversity. The tail’s unique shape is considered normal and should not be viewed as a fault. Coat colors may vary but must remain pure and harmonious. Natural grooming is required for shows; artificial modification of coat color or texture is prohibited.
Conclusion
The Karelian Bobtail is a unique aboriginal breed that combines a natural temperament, balanced appearance, and the rare hallmark of a short tail. According to ICCF regulations, cats may participate in shows and breeding only with official ICCF documentation confirming their origin and conformity to the standard. This ensures breed purity and controlled development. Participation is allowed only for healthy cats free from disqualifying defects and with verified pedigree. The Karelian Bobtail is prized for its stable character, expressive appearance, and closeness to its natural roots. The breed is a true treasure of felinology, deserving of respect and preservation by breeders and enthusiasts alike.
