[1][2] Short- or long-haired, it has a semi-cobby body type and a distinct short, fluffy tail.

[2] As selectively bred pets, they have been popular in USSR and to some extent other parts of Europe, especially for their rodent-hunting abilities, since the middle of the 20th century,[2] but remained rare in North America[2] as of 2011[update].

[citation needed] As of 2011[update], the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) did not recognize the breed at all.

While possibly closely related to the Japanese Bobtail breed – both share the same kind of kinked, short tail, but the Japanese is leaner, more angular and less cobby[1][5] – the Kurilian originated on the opposite side of Eurasia from the similarly named Karelian Bobtail of western Russia and Finland, and is thus unlikely to be a near relative.

In the wild, this cat is an excellent fisher and hunter, which may explain why the Kurilian loves to play in water.

[1] The lifespan of a Kurilian Bobtail ranges from 15 to 20 years, owing to their breed's being developed in the wild.