Felis catus
Toybob Longhair
The Toybob Longhair is the longhaired division of the Toybob, a miniature bobtail breed developed in Russia from the late 1980s. TICA granted Advanced New Breed (ANB) status to both coat-length divisions. The standard describes an exceptionally small, well-proportioned cat with a kinked bobtail and a semi-long, silky coat.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- Russia
- Origin period
- Developed from 1988 by Natalya Fedyaeva (Skif-Toy-Bobtail); TICA ANB status 2017
- Coat type
- Long
- Coat colors
- All colours and patterns including colourpoint
- Size category
- Small
- Average lifespan
- 12–15 years
- Recognition
- TICA 2017
Origin
The Toybob was developed by Russian breeder Natalya Fedyaeva from 1988. The foundation stock combined a small naturally bobtailed pointed male with a seal-point female; selective breeding over subsequent generations consolidated the miniature body type and the kinked tail. The breed was originally called Skif-Toy-Bobtail. The SFF recognized the breed in Russia, and TICA advanced it from Preliminary New Breed to Advanced New Breed status in 2017.
Standard
The TICA standard describes a very small, well-proportioned cat — one of the smallest breeds in the registry. The body is compact and well-muscled with a rounded head, medium-sized ears, and round eyes. The tail is a compact kinked bob 3–5 cm long. The longhair division has a semi-long, silky, non-matting coat with minimal undercoat and a plumed tail. All colours and patterns including colourpoint are accepted.
SFF/RFF Recognition
The Toybob was recognized in Russia by the Soviet Felinological Federation (SFF) in the 1990s under the original name Skif-Toy-Bobtail, before TICA's international recognition. The Russian Felinological Federation (RFF), which succeeded the SFF, also carries the breed. The SFF recognition predates TICA's Preliminary New Breed (PNB) status by over two decades and reflects the breed's strong established presence in Russian cat fancy before its international debut.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-27
- registry-breed-profile — accessed 2026-05-27
Frequently asked questions
Is the Toybob a Munchkin relative?
No. The Toybob's small size results from natural miniaturization selection rather than the Munchkin's short-leg (Lm) mutation. The Toybob has normal-length legs proportional to its small body; the Munchkin has shortened limbs due to a dominant gene.
What is TICA ANB status?
TICA's Advanced New Breed (ANB) tier is the penultimate recognition level before full championship. ANB breeds may be exhibited and evaluated at TICA shows but cannot yet compete for top awards. The Toybob Longhair reached ANB status in 2017.
How small is the Toybob?
The Toybob is among the world's smallest cat breeds, typically weighing 1.8–3 kg at maturity. The small size results from natural miniaturization selection — not from the Munchkin's limb-shortening gene or dwarfism mutations. Toybob legs are normal in proportion to the small body. The TICA standard emphasizes well-proportioned, healthy conformation rather than extreme smallness.
