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If you are looking for cat breeds with the shortest tails, seven names commonly associated with naturally short, bobbed or absent tails are the Manx, Cymric, Japanese Bobtail, Kurilian Bobtail, American Bobtail, Pixie-bob and Toybob. However, breed organizations do not publish tail measurements using one shared method for all seven, so an evidence-based source cannot rank them from shortest to longest. Tail shape and length also vary among individual cats.
The clearest comparisons come from official breed descriptions: the Japanese Bobtail has a pom-pom-like short tail, the American Bobtail averages 1 to 4 inches according to The International Cat Association (TICA), and Manx cats may be tailless or have a visible tail.
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Why a definitive “shortest seven” ranking is not available
Breed standards describe what is acceptable for registration, but they do not use a common measuring system. One standard may emphasize a stump, another a pom-pom of fur, and another may allow several lengths. The American Bobtail is the only candidate here for which the cited source gives a numerical average; that figure cannot be ranked directly against qualitative descriptions.
| Breed | Tail information established by the cited source | What the evidence does not establish |
|---|---|---|
| Manx | Tailless and tailed forms occur. | A single typical length for every Manx. |
| Cymric | Listed in TICA’s breed-standard index. | A comparable tail measurement in the retrieved material. |
| Japanese Bobtail | Short, bunny-tail-like form with a furred pom-pom appearance. | How its length compares numerically with other breeds. |
| Kurilian Bobtail | Listed in TICA’s breed-standard index. | A verified measurement or detailed tail description in the retrieved material. |
| American Bobtail | TICA gives an average of 1 to 4 inches; CFA allows a broad spectrum and prefers no single length. | A guaranteed minimum, maximum or length for an individual cat. |
| Pixie-bob | No specific tail description was available in the retrieved authoritative material. | Its standard tail range or a ranking against other breeds. |
| Toybob | CFA describes the breed as naturally small and bobtailed, with kinked vertebrae in the tail. | A shared measurement that permits exact ranking. |
1. Manx
Manx cats are famous for reduced tails, but “Manx” does not mean every individual is completely tailless. CFA describes both tailless and tailed forms. Some kittens may have no external tail, while others have a short stump or a more developed tail. CFA also notes that monitoring kittens for health issues and regularly using tailed Manx cats in breeding programs has helped maintain a healthy, diverse gene pool. Read the CFA Manx profile for the association’s current description.
#1 Best Overall
2. Cymric
Cymric is the long-haired counterpart recognized in registry standards alongside the Manx. TICA lists Cymric in its breed-standard index. The available material does not provide a tail measurement or a standardized comparison with the other breeds in this guide, so it is more accurate to identify Cymric as a short-tailed-breed candidate than to call it the shortest.
3. Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail’s tail is short and visually distinctive. CFA says it should resemble a bunny tail, with hair fanning out into a pom-pom that camouflages the underlying bone structure. That description concerns appearance rather than a comparative measurement. The breed is described by CFA as sturdy and natural, with no specific health concerns listed on its profile. See the CFA Japanese Bobtail profile.
Rank #2
4. Kurilian Bobtail
Kurilian Bobtail appears in TICA’s breed-standard index, confirming its recognition within that registry’s standards system. The retrieved source material does not expose a detailed tail-length range or a compatible measurement for this article. Prospective owners should consult the current standard directly rather than relying on a presumed number or assuming every Kurilian Bobtail has the same tail shape.
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The American Bobtail has the strongest numerical information among these candidates, but it still should not be treated as a fixed specification. TICA states: “No tail is exactly the same, but the average length is 1 to 4 inches.” This is an average reported on TICA’s breed page, not a promise that every cat falls within that range. CFA adds that its standard allows a broad spectrum of tail lengths and that no one length is preferable. Compare the TICA American Bobtail profile with the CFA American Bobtail profile.
6. Pixie-bob
Pixie-bob is often included in lists of bobtailed cats, but the authoritative material retrieved for this guide did not provide a specific tail description or measurement. That gap matters: without a verified standard, it is not possible to state its accepted tail range or place it accurately against the American Bobtail’s 1-to-4-inch average. Treat Pixie-bob as a breed requiring confirmation from its current registry standard, not as a proven number-one or number-seven entry.
7. Toybob
CFA describes Toybobs as naturally small, bobtailed cats and notes kinked vertebrae in the tail. “Bobtailed” indicates a shortened tail, but the cited profile does not provide a measurement that can be compared fairly with the American Bobtail figure. Its small overall size should not be confused with a specific tail-length ranking. The breed description is available in the CFA Toybob profile.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to compare short-tailed breeds responsibly
Look at tail form, not just the word “bobtail”
- Absent tail: some Manx individuals have no visible tail.
- Stump or short bob: accepted forms vary by breed and registry.
- Pom-pom appearance: the Japanese Bobtail’s fur can conceal the underlying structure.
- Variable length: American Bobtail standards explicitly allow a broad spectrum.
Check the registry and the individual cat
TICA and CFA standards may use different terminology or acceptance ranges. Even within one breed, kittens can have different tail lengths and shapes. Ask a breeder which registry’s standard applies, request the parents’ registration details, and examine the kitten’s tail directly. A short tail by itself does not prove breed ancestry or indicate health.
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Some are, but not all. Manx cats include tailless and tailed forms, so “born without a tail” describes only part of the breed. A visible stump or longer tail can still be consistent with Manx classification under the applicable standard.
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