Moderately long and substantial with a rectangular stance. Their chest is full and broad. They have slightly higher hips with prominent shoulder blades. They are often muscular and athletic in appearance.
Tail short, flexible and expressive; may be straight, slightly curved or kinked, or have bumps along length. Their tail tends to be broad at base, strong and substantial. Straighter tails exhibit fat pad at end of tail.
Until quite recently the American Bobtail received little attention, so many people are surprised to learn that this breed has been in North America since the 1960s. Because of their haphazard debut, however, the American Bobtail is just now beginning to come into their own.