Any info on Mohave Bobs or any other curly coated cats?
The “Mohave Bob” is a bullshit doodle breed recognized by the Rare and Exotic Feline Registry (REFR) and basically no-one else as far as I can tell.
It was developed by mixing the “Desert Lynx” and the Selkirk Rex. The Desert Lynx is only recognized by the REFR and the International Cat Breeders’ Alliance (IPCBA).
The International Desert Lynx Cat Association describes the breed as originating from deliberate outcrossing to the Bobcat (Lynx rufus) which is a bold-faced lie as there has never been verified offspring documented born from such a pairing.
In a study where Domestic Cat oocytes were fertilized using Bobcat spermatozoa not only were the fertilization very low but the furthest stage of development reached was the morula stage. They’re just not viable. Here’s a Messybeast article on alleged Bobcat/Lynx and Domestic Cat hybrids.
Moving on from my little rant…
The curled ears came from the American Curl somewhere during the breeds inception, which isn’t associated with cartilage problems like Folds but are prone to wax build-up and subsequent ear infections.
This breeder refers to it as the “Highlander Ear Wax Candle Factory,” please note that I don’t endorse the medical recommendations made in the linked article and implore you all to consult your vet for any ear issues your cat(s) may experience.
Polydactyly is accepted in the breed, while this is a charming trait when it occurs by chance I’m not a fan of deliberately breeding for it because it increases the risk of certain injuries for the purpose of aesthetics.
If the additional digits aren’t attached properly they can be torn off if they’re caught on something, they can be prone to ingrown claws especially depending on the placement, etc. Sometimes an extra digit(s) may need to be removed if they’re becoming problematic.
The form of bobtail they possess is due to mutations of the T-box gene - the same responsible for breeds like the Manx and Pixie-Bob, which means Manx Syndrome is a concern.
The curly coat comes from the outcross to the Selkirk Rex, which is an incomplete dominant gene. I know homozygous variants will go through a molt when they’re young but I’m not aware of any glaring health issues associated with the coat-type.
