```html A guardarlo, sembra una piccola lince della foresta nord-americana: mantello fitto e maculato, coda mozza, ciuffi alle orecchie. Eppure il Pixie-bob è un gatto domestico al 100%, e con uno dei caratteri più equilibrati che esistano.

Origins

In the 1980s, American breeder Carol Ann Brewer found a stray cat with a "wild" appearance and a stubby tail in the mountains of Washington state. From one of her kittens, "Pixie," the breed was born. Recognized by TICA in 1994. Myth to debunk: despite its appearance, genetic tests have found no lynx blood. It is a 100% domestic cat.

Appearance

  • Weight: 4-9 kg (males can be very large).
  • Coat: short or medium, dense and thick. Spotted tabby pattern.
  • Tail: short (5-15 cm), curled or bent.
  • Polydactylism: common feature (up to 7 toes per paw).
  • Life expectancy: 13-16 years.

Character

  • Balanced: stable, never nervous.
  • Affectionate: bonded to the family, but not clingy.
  • Intelligent: learns commands, fetches, walks on a leash.
  • Social: with people, children, dogs, other cats.
  • Moderate vocalization: communicates with chirps and trills, not meows.
  • Dog-like cat: follows you everywhere, greets you at the door.

Needs

  • Companionship: loves the family, suffers from loneliness.
  • Play: moderate. Loves interactive play.
  • Mental stimulation: puzzle feeders, fetch, courses.
  • Grooming: brushed 1-2 times a week.

Health

Young breed and generally healthy, with good genetic variability. Predispositions: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in some lines, ultrasound tests recommended for breeders.

Who is the Pixie-bob for?

  • Families with children.
  • Homes with other pets.
  • Those looking for a "dog-like cat," interactive, trustworthy.
  • Lovers of breeds with a wild appearance but gentle character.

Not suitable for

  • Those looking for a lazy couch cat.
  • People who do not have time to interact.

Price

Rare breed in Europe: 1,200-2,500 euros. Very few Italian breeders.

Key points to remember

The Pixie-bob is the dream for those who want "a lynx in the living room": wild beauty, family character, high intelligence. One of the most balanced and fascinating breeds in the feline landscape. ```