Felis catus
Toybob
Featured phototoybob.jpgThe Toybob is a small Russian breed defined by a natural combination of dwarfism and a bobbed tail. The mutation was first observed in the late 1980s in Vladivostok and Rostov, Russia. The Toybob is among the smallest recognized cat breeds, with adult cats weighing as little as 1.4 kilograms. TICA accepts the Toybob for preliminary registration in 2009. CFA, GCCF, and FIFe have not published Toybob standards. The standard describes a very small, well-muscled cat with a kinked bobtail and a moderately rounded head.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- Russia
- Origin period
- Late 1980s natural mutation in Vladivostok and Rostov; TICA preliminary 2009
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- All colours and patterns recognized; pointed colours common
- Size category
- Small
- Average lifespan
- 12-15 years
- Recognition
- TICA 2009
Origin
The Toybob originated from a natural mutation observed in the late 1980s in two separate Russian locations: Vladivostok and Rostov-on-Don. The breed combines two traits — small adult size (dwarfism) and a kinked bobtail — both attributed to a single natural mutation rather than to any deliberate hybridization. The breed was originally registered under the long compound name Skif-Thai-Toy-Bob before being shortened to Toybob. Russian breeders developed the formal programme through the 1990s and 2000s.
Recognition
TICA accepted the Toybob for preliminary registration in 2009 in the new-breed category. The breed has not yet advanced to championship. CFA, GCCF, and FIFe have not published Toybob standards. The breed is shown primarily through Russian breed clubs and TICA-affiliated experimental classes.
Standard
The TICA standard describes a very small, well-muscled, well-balanced cat. Adults weigh between 1.4 and 2.7 kilograms — smaller than most domestic cat breeds. The head is moderately rounded with a slight muzzle stop and almond-shaped eyes. The defining characteristic is the bobtail: a flexible, kinked tail of three to seven vertebrae forming a unique pom-pom shape per individual. The coat is short, fine, and close-lying. All colours and patterns are recognized; pointed colours are common in the breed.
Sources & further reading (3)
- tica-standard — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
How small is a Toybob?
Adult Toybobs typically weigh between 1.4 and 2.7 kilograms — smaller than most domestic cat breeds. The Singapura is sometimes cited as the smallest CFA championship breed at 1.8 to 3.6 kilograms; the Toybob is generally smaller, though it is not yet a CFA championship breed.
When was the Toybob recognized?
TICA accepted the Toybob for preliminary registration in 2009 in the new-breed category. CFA, GCCF, and FIFe have not published Toybob standards. The breed has not advanced to championship.
Is the Toybob a Munchkin variant?
No. The Toybob's small size and short legs are caused by a separate Russian natural mutation, not by the Munchkin's Mk gene. Genetic testing has confirmed the Toybob carries a distinct dwarfism mutation. The Toybob also carries a separate bobtail mutation distinct from the American Bobtail, Japanese Bobtail, and Kurilian Bobtail genes.
