The Desert Lynx is a fascinating breed of domestic cat meticulously developed to emulate the striking appearance of the North American bobcat. Through careful and selective crossbreeding with various cat breeds over generations, the Desert Lynx has acquired a distinct set of characteristics mirroring its wild inspiration. These cats are typically medium in size, often featuring longer hind legs and sometimes tufted toes, adding to their wild aesthetic. Known for their alertness and intelligence, Desert Lynxes present a unique blend of domestic companionship and untamed allure. Males of the breed tend to be larger and mature more slowly than females. The Desert Lynx can be found with either short or long coats, offering variety in their physical presentation.
The head of the Desert Lynx is substantial, though not entirely rounded, featuring a well-developed muzzle that appears almost square, complemented by prominent whisker pads. Their ears are large, set wide apart, and are often adorned with elegant feathering and distinctive tufts at the tips, further enhancing their resemblance to wild felines. The eyes, large and expressive, are set at an angle and can range in color from deep gold to vibrant green. For cats with the “snow” coloring, blue eyes are also a possibility.
The tail of the Desert Lynx is a notable feature, varying in length much like a bobcat’s tail. It can range from a length that might reach halfway to the ground, to being entirely absent, similar to the Manx breed. Whether full-length or any variation in between, the tail contributes to the breed’s unique silhouette. Desert Lynxes exhibit a wide spectrum of coat colors and patterns, encompassing all eumelanistic and melanistic shades. These include ebony, blue, sorrel, fawn, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream. Within these colors, variations such as silvers, cameos, sepias, minks, and snows are also present. The breed showcases three primary coat patterns: tawny (ticked), leopard (spotted), and clouded leopard (marbled). While less common, solid colors and classic or mackerel tabby patterns can also occur.
The leopard pattern is characterized by spots of a darker hue, most prominently displayed on the sides of the body and the belly. These spots can vary in size and shape but should be evenly distributed, with a preference for rosette spots, which are circular markings with a lighter center. The contrast between the spots and the ground color may not always be as stark as in some other spotted breeds. A dorsal stripe runs from the length of the body to the tail’s tip, ideally composed of spots. Facial markings are typical of tabby patterns, with distinct spots on the underside of the body. The legs and tail are barred. In the sepia, mink, and snow variations, the presence of subtle “ghost leopard” spots on the body is considered desirable.
The tawny pattern is a ticked tabby, where individual body hairs display ticking with varying shades of the marking and ground colors. The outer tips of the hairs are darkest, with the undercoat serving as the ground color. The body might show a faint spotted pattern, while the tail, legs, and face will feature tabby markings and “pencilings.” Necklace markings are also frequently observed.
The clouded leopard pattern, while originating from modifications of the classic tabby gene, is distinct from it. It aims to minimize “bull’s eye” similarities, instead creating an impression of marble with a preference for horizontal flow. Vertical stripes are generally not desired. Good contrast with distinct shapes and sharp edges is important, and the belly must be spotted.
Effective from January 1, 2013, outcrosses are only permitted with cats already listed in the stud book or foundation book of the REFR (Rare & Exotic Feline Registry). This regulation ensures the integrity and focused development of the breed.
The Desert Lynx breed group within the Rare & Exotic Feline Registry encompasses the Desert Lynx, Highland Lynx, Alpine Lynx, and Mohave Bobs. This means these breeds can be bred together, with their offspring registered according to specific criteria. All white kittens, regardless of coat length (straight or curled) or ear type (straight or curled), are registered as Alpine Lynx. Non-white kittens with curled coats are registered as Mohave Bobs. Kittens that are non-white, have straight coats, and straight ears are registered as Desert Lynx. Finally, non-white kittens with straight coats and curled ears are registered as Highland Lynx. The curled ears characteristic of the Highland Lynx are due to a dominant gene that both curls the ears and slightly reduces their size. When these breeds interbreed, straight-eared kittens will not carry the gene for curled ears.
Non-white kittens do not carry the gene for white coloration. Consequently, breeders focusing solely on the Desert Lynx need not be concerned about recessive curled-ear genes in their lineage, provided Highland Lynx are not part of their ancestry. Similarly, breeders who wish to avoid working with Alpine Lynx can do so by ensuring neither parent is an Alpine Lynx, thus preventing white kittens. The curled coat trait is also governed by a dominant gene. Breeders aiming to avoid Mohave Bobs can achieve this by ensuring that neither parent possesses a curled coat. Fundamentally, these breeds share an identical body type, distinguishing them primarily through their coat patterns, colors, and specific genetic expressions like ear curl.
It is noteworthy that several cat breeds are speculated to have origins intertwined with the bobcat. The most commonly cited are the Pixie Bob and the breeds within the Desert Lynx group: Desert Lynx, Highland Lynx, Mohave Bob, and Alpine Lynx. However, it is crucial to emphasize that DNA testing conducted on these cats has not yielded positive results for the presence of bobcat DNA, indicating no evidence of feral ancestry in these domestic breeds.
