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| − | [[Image:Japanese Bobtail walking.JPG|thumbnail|180px|A Japanese Bobtail cat, with the short tail clearly visible]]
| + | {{honor_header|2|2001|Nature<br>General Conference<br>2001 Edition}} |
| | + | ==1 Have the basic Cat Honor.== |
| | + | {{ay prerequisite|Nature|Cats}} |
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| − | The '''Japanese Bobtail''' is a [[cat breeds|breed]] of [[cat]] with an unusual 'bobbed' tail more closely resembling the tail of a [[rabbit]] than that of an ordinary feline. The short tail is caused by the expression of a [[recessive gene]]. Thus, so long as both parents are bobtails, all kittens born to a litter will have bobtails as well. Unlike the [[Manx (cat)|Manx]] and other cat breeds, where genetic disorders are common to tailless or stumpy-tails, no such problem exists with the Japanese Bobtail.
| + | ==2. Know about cats "open-book" quiz. (This is not an instructional pass-a-test requirement, it is designed to encourage research into the world of cats.) Enjoy new discoveries as you research the following questions about some unusual domestic cat breeds from around the world.== |
| | + | ===a. The domestic cat known as Sphynx first appeared in the late 1960s. Which of the following is true about this Canadian breed?<br>(1) It is too wild to be a proper house cat.<br>(2) It is the national pet of Canada.<br>(3) It appears to be hairless.=== |
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| − | The Japanese Bobtail is a small domestic cat native to [[Japan]] and [[Southeast Asia]]. The breed has been known in Japan for centuries, and there are many legends and myths, as well as pieces of ancient art, featuring it. | + | ===b. True or False: The Charteux, with its brilliant orange eyes and blue lips, is a breed closely associated with France.=== |
| | + | ===c. Match the following cats with the special characteristics of their breed:=== |
| | + | ====(1) Korat (Thailand) (a) Goes limp when picked up.==== |
| | + | ====(2) Ragdoll (USA) (b) Is traced to wild cats from Kenya.==== |
| | + | ====(3) Sokoke (Denmark) (c) Symbolizes good fortune.==== |
| | + | ===d. The Scottish Fold breed dates back to 1961. True or False: This cat acquired its name because it folds its body up to stay warm.=== |
| | + | ===e. One breed was developed from a type of cat which once roamed the streets of Singapore. Now called the Singapura, it is also known by which one of the following names?=== |
| | + | ====(1) Drain cat==== |
| | + | ====(2) Fat cat==== |
| | + | ====(3) Flying cat==== |
| | + | ===f. The names of breeds do not always reflect their countries of origin. For example, the Nebelung (German for "creature of the mist") breed was developed in the USA. True or False: The Poodle cat was developed in Germany.=== |
| | + | ===g. The English are renowned cat fanciers. Which one of the following is not a breed of domestic cat developed in the UK?=== |
| | + | ====(1) Abyssinian cat==== |
| | + | ====(2) Havana Brown cat==== |
| | + | ====(3) Geoffroy's cat==== |
| | + | ===h. Developed in the USA, the Ocicat is a wild-looking feline with spotted fur. True or False: it is illegal to keep the Ocicat as a house pet in most countries.=== |
| | + | ===i. Originally called the Spotted Mist, this Australian breed's name was changed when some were born with tabby-patterned coats. What is its new name?=== |
| | + | ====(1) Australian Mist==== |
| | + | ====(2) Dingo cat==== |
| | + | ====(3) Spotted and/or Marbled Mist==== |
| | + | ===j. The Japanese Bobtail cat originated in China centuries ago. True or False: It is the only breed of domestic cat with virtually no tail.=== |
| | + | ==3. Keep a cat for at least six months and do one of the following:== |
| | + | ===a. If you currently have a cat, keep a record of the care for you cat for one month. Include in your record when it is watered and fed and how often and with what supplies you care for the liter box. Why should your cat not be allowed to roam the neighborhood free?=== |
| | + | ===b. If you do not currently have a cat but you owned one at sometime in the past for at least 6 months, take care of someone else's cat for at least one week. Record the care that was required and explain the relationship of house cats on the environment and why it is best they not be allowed to become feral.=== |
| | + | ===c. Participate in a cat related project of your choice in support of a local humane society or similar organization.=== |
| | + | ==References== |
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| − | Japanese bobtails may have almost any color, but "Mi-ke" {{nihongo||三毛|''mike''|literally "three fur", and composed of red, black, and white coloring}} or bi-colors are especially favoured by the Japanese. Much like any other breed, the colors may be arranged in any number of patterns, with van and [[tortoiseshell_cat|calico]] being common among purebred cats, and tabby being seen in non-purebred Japanese bobtails{{Fact|date=March 2007}}.
| + | [[Category:Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book|{{SUBPAGENAME}}]] |
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| − | ==History==
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| − | The earliest written evidence of cats in Japan indicates that they arrived from [[China]] or [[Korea]] at least 1,000 years ago. In 1602, Japanese authorities decreed that all cats should be set free to help deal with rodents threatening the silk-worms. Buying or selling cats was illegal, and from then on, bobtailed cats lived on farms and in the streets. Japanese Bobtails thus became the "street cats" of Japan.
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| − | The Japanese Bobtail is mentioned in ''Kaempfer's Japan''. First published in London in 1701/02, it is the first book written by a Westerner about the flora, fauna, and landscape of Japan. [[Engelbert Kaempfer]], a German doctor, wrote: "there is only one breed of cat that is kept. It has large patches of yellow, black and white fur; its short tail looks like it has been bent and broken. It has no mind to hunt for rats and mice but just wants to be carried and stroked by women."{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
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| − | The ''[[Maneki Neko|maneki-neko]]'' ("beckoning cat"), a Japanese Bobtail seated with one paw raised, is considered a good-luck charm. A maneki-neko statue is often found in the front of stores. In 1968 the late Elizabeth Freret imported the first three Japanese Bobtails to the United States from Japan. In 2001 the first registered litter of Bobtails in the UK were bred under the "Solstans" prefix.
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| − | ==Legend==
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| − | There is a [[legend]] in Japan about why the Japanese Bobtail lost its tail. It states that a cat was warming itself too close to a fire, and set its tail on fire. It then ran through the town, burning many buildings to the ground. As punishment, the Emperor decreed that all cats should have their tails cut off.
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| − | ==Breed Standard==
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| − | '''Head''': The head should form an equilateral triangle. (Not including ears)
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| − | '''Ears''': Large, upright, set wide apart but at right angles to the head and looking as if alert.
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| − | '''Muzzle''': Fairly broad and round neither pointed nor blunt.
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| − | '''Eyes''': Large, oval rather than round. They should not bulge out beyond the cheekbone or the forehead.
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| − | '''Body''': Medium in size, males larger than females. Long torso, lean and elegant, showing well developed muscular strength. Also balance is very very important.
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| − | '''Neck''': Not too long and not too short, in proportion to the length of the body.
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| − | '''Legs''': Long, slender, and high. The hind legs longer than the forelegs.
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| − | '''Paws''': Oval. Toes: five in front and four behind.
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| − | '''Coat (Shorthair)''': Medium length, soft and silk.
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| − | '''Coat (Longhair)''': Length medium-long to long, texture soft and silky gradually lengthening toward the rump.
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| − | '''Tail''': The tail must be clearly visible and is made up of one or more curves.
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| − | The Japanese Bobtail is a recognised breed by all major registering bodies: CFA ([http://www.cfa.org]), TICA ([http://www.tica.org]), FIFe; Shorthair only ([http://www.fifeweb.org]) with the exception of GCCF (UK).
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| − | ==General==
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| − | Japanese Bobtails usually have litters of three to four kittens with newborns that are unusually large compared to other breeds. They are active earlier, and walk earlier.
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| − | Affectionate and generally sweet-tempered, they enjoy supervising household chores and baby-sitting{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. They are active, intelligent, talkative cats with a well-defined sense of family life{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. Their soft voices are capable of nearly a whole scale of tones; some people say they sing{{Fact|date=March 2007}}. Since they adore human companionship they almost always speak when spoken to{{Fact|date=March 2007}}.
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| − | Because of their human-oriented personality they are easy to teach tricks and enjoy learning things like walking on a harness and lead{{Fact|date=March 2007}}.
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| − | ==Ocular heterochromia==
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| − | [[Image:Cat_odd-eye.jpg|right|250px|thumb|normal eye color and odd-eye color]]While rare, Japanese Bobtails, especially predominantly white specimens, are more likely than other breeds to express [[heterochromia]], or differing [[iris (anatomy)|iris]] colors. One eye will be blue while the other is yellow (though in Japan, blue is referred to as silver while yellow is referred to as gold). This trait is popular and kittens displaying this "[[odd-eyed cat|odd-eye]]" feature are usually more expensive.
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| − | == External links ==
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| − | *[http://www.aaceinc.org/pages/breeds/jap.htm AACE Breed Standards]
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| − | *[http://www.aquadesign.be/news/article-4289.php Article Japanese Bobtail]
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| − | [[Category:Cat breeds]]
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| − | [[fr:Bobtail japonais]]
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| − | [[nl:Japanse stompstaartkat]]
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| − | [[ja:ジャパニーズボブテイル]]
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| − | [[fi:Japanin bobtail]]
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