The American Bobtail is a relatively new and uncommon breed of cat which has appeared since the late 1960's. It is most notable for its stubby "bobbed" tail about one-third to one-half the length of a normal cat's tail. This is the result of a cat body type genetic mutation affecting the tail development, similar to that of a Manx. The cat is not related to the Japanese Bobtail despite the similar name and physical type — the breeding programs are entirely unrelated and the gene causing the mutation is different because the gene causing the American Bobtail's tail is dominant, whereas the Japanese Bobtail tail gene is recessive.

While the breed is still developing, breeders say that Bobtails are playful, energetic, and friendly, and possess an uncanny intelligence for Houdini-type escapes from closed rooms and fastened cages. Very people-oriented, they are not above demanding human attention by meowing or commandeering available laps.

On the cat activity scale (with, perhaps, the Persian as a serene #1 and the Abyssinian as an animated #10), the Bobtail rates a 7 or 8 fun-loving and frisky but not overactive.