Machbagral vs American Bobtail - Breed Comparison

Bobtailed cats have a naturally shortened tail due to natural genetic mutation. The cat’s original appearance genetics were modified so as to bring about an improved strain that comes in all colors and coat types.

The cat descended from a short-tailed kitten, Yodi. His kittens also had a short tail. Two women selectively bred the cats to be large and strong with a wild look but with a pleasant nature.

The cats used in the development of the breed were domestic shorthairs and longhairs. They are now pedigreed cats without tails.

In 1989, the International Cat Association accepted the American Bobtail into its new breed category, giving it full recognition in 2002. They were accepted for registration by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 2000. This is the world's biggest registry of pedigreed cats.

This is an experimental cat breed – a wildcat hybrid. It seems as though this cat was also developed in the United States like many of the other hybrid cats.

Also known as Bagral, Tthe Machbagral came about by crossing the wild Fishing cat – also known as the Asian Fishing cat and a Bengal cat or melanistic tabby spotted domestic cat.

Once again, humans wanted a cat that would look like a wild cat but that could be domesticated.

The American Bobtail is a cat that came about in the 1960s. It is well know as the cat with a bobbed tail. It’s not as vocal as many other cat breeds. It’s not a slender cat but is sturdy and and strong weighing between 3 and 7kg. Their double coats can be short- or long-haired. The coat comes in different patterns and colors, including orange, cream, black, brown, chocolate etc with a shaggy texture. He sheds quite a bit. The body of the American Bobtail is faily long. Its ears are medium-sized and wide-based with rounded tips, the eyes are almond shape. The eyes can be gold, yellow, green or blue. What is interesting is that the hind legs are much longer than the fore legs, and the feet are round.

Tmperament:

Bobtails are friendly cats, enjoying being in the company of their human family as well as with strangers. They are loving and affectionate to the entire family as opposed to just one person.

They’re quiet cats but will chirp when happy and excited. They get on well with all members of their human family and that includes children and the dogs.

They’re intelligent cats too and they can be taught to walk on a leash and to also perform some tricks. There are some people who say that their Bobtails act more like dogs than cats. These cats are sensitive and can sense when their owners are happy or sad and will come and sit with you when you're feeling sad and alone.

The Machbaral is a medium to large-sized cat and can weigh up to 7kg. It is described as a stocky cat. The head is large with fairly small ears. The fur of the Machbagral will be dense and medium length with a thick fluffy tail. The color is black with lighter tips.

Temperament:

The Machbagral cat is very friendly and intelligent and like so many hybrid cats he loves playing in water. If you have an outside cage for him, it should have a small pool.

He is a cat that loves his human family and behaves much like a dog. You can teach this cat to walk on a leash.

You need to bear in mind that because of the wildness in the Machbagral, there will no doubt be some aggression. They can also be quite solitary by nature and may never adjust to being in a social setting. These cats are also not 100% predictable.

Many people want a dog as a pet but aren’t able to keep one and then the American Bobtail becomes the ideal alternative. These cats aren’t known for their solitary personalities like the many other cats there are and they genuinely love to spend time with their human family. Some will even behave like a dog and be there to meet you at the door when you arrive home.

He is a fairly large, amicable cat and is affectionate and adaptable to your lifestyle. He enjoys all kinds of lifestyles and loves to curl up next to you on your travels, being the perfect road trip companion.

The American Bobtail is a therapeutic cat and is sensitive to the moods of its human family. He gets on well with children and other pets in the family and just wants to be a family member.

By bringing an American Bobtail into your home and your heart, you’ll have discovered the most wonderful feline companion there is.

The Machbagral, just like some of the other hybrid cats there are, can be wonderful to own. But sadly these hybrids should be discouraged as pets.

They can make wonderful pets no doubt, but there is always that unpredictable behavior with them.

There are so many cats in shelters today, many of them are hybrids because people had no idea that the wild side of the hybrid such as the Machbagral is always lurking there, ready to come out.

When you buy a kitten from a breeder, always do research on the breeder so as to avoid a host of health issues down the line.

Apart from the typical cat health problems, the Bobtail is a healthy breed of cat. With proper care from you at home as well as veterinary care, these interesting looking cats can live up to anything between 12 and 20 years.

You need to know that interbreeding wild cats with domestic cats still has wildness in a cat.

The truth is, there are behavioral complaints from owners of these hybrid cats.

No matter how wonderful the Machbagral seems to be as a pet, at some time or other he will display aggression and also failure to use a litter box.

These hybrids usually mark their territory by urination and spraying and often can’t learn to use a litter box. Unlike with a proper domestic cat, neutering or spaying a hybrid cat won’t really change their behavior of urinating inside your house.

Also, because hybrid cats such as the Machbagral are unnatural breeding, there can be health issues. One of the more common illnesses among hybrid cats include digestive issues, of which IBD is one. This is a bowel disease and it can cause chronic diarrhea with your cat.

Another medical issue is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Also, another concern is that while regular cat vaccines protect your regular cat from some deadly cat diseases, they may not be approved for use in hybrid cats, and if they are approved, they may not be effective.

Keep a close eye on your cat’s weight.

Keep the litter box of your Bobtail scrupulously clean.

Your American Bobtail needs the best quality food there is full of vitamins and minerals if he is to remain healthy. The cat’s diet will depend a lot on his activity levels and general health, but it should always be high protein food. Your vet will always help you with some guidelines on feeding your cat.

Every cat needs exercise, and even though these cats aren’t as energetic as other cats, they are active indoors and out and are also playful. You will need to provide it with some puzzle toys and a climbing tree to keep him mentally and physically active.

Brush his medium-length fur twice a week to keep it shiny and silky.

Trim his nails carefully and check his eyes and inside his ears for abnormal discharges.

Vaccinate your cat to keep it protected from life-threatening cat diseases and take him to the vet immediately you suspect something is wrong.

Most cat owners with basic cat care knowledge will be able to take care of their Machbagral. You could say that there is a little bit more specialized care with these hybrid cats as they will require an outside cage as they are cats with a wild side.

Feline hybrids are larger than domestic cats and can exhibit a wild temperament, so you have to bear in mind they require careful and different handling to a regular cat.

A diet of commercial pet food may not be sufficient for a hybrid such as the Machbagral and your vet may well be able to advise you on the feeding requirments of these hybrids.

Since cats are carnivorous, they will need to be fed food that is high in protein. You need to understand how to read labels on commercially manufactured cat foods and to avoid those that have more carbohydrates in them and less meat. Feeding you cat such a diet will ensure health issues later on.

Provide your pet with all the things needed to make him content as can be. Food and water bowls, paddling pool, toys, sleeping area. You want to surely invest in collar and tag as these cats often try to get away.

You want to make sure you have an outdoor enclosure for your Machbagral. These hybrids are indoor- and outdoor cats. Because they often don’t learn to use a litter box they need to be outside in an enclosure for some of the time. They are certainly not indoor cats.