Desert Lynx

What you Need to Know about the Desert Lynx

The Desert Lynx is a domesticated cat breed intentionally bred to look like a wild bobcat. You can find feral bobcats worldwide, and these cats are larger and more powerful than domestic cats. 

They have muscular bodies, long legs, and notably short tails. The Desert Lynx inherited all of these characteristics through selective breeding of bobcats and various domestic cats. 

These cats are constantly alert and extremely intelligent. Males are usually larger than females but mature more slowly. You can find the Desert Lynx in both long- and short-haired versions and they are known to be extremely clean in both cases.

Appearance Matters. What does a Desert Lynx look like?

The Desert Lynx has a large head and a full, well-developed muzzle. The muzzle has noticeably extended whisker pads and is square in appearance. 

These cats have large eyes that are set wide apart. The eyes are expressive and set at an angle. They can come in many colors, ranging from green to gold. Some Desert Lynx cats will also have blue eyes, but only those with a snow coat color.

The tail of a Desert Lynx is the length of a Bobcat’s tail, so not that long. It will usually reach only halfway to the ground. Sometimes the tail will be missing completely, like with the Manx. 

Desert Lynx kitties can come in three different coat patterns and a plethora of colors. The patterns are tawny (ticked), leopard (spotted), and clouded leopard. The colors they can come in include:

• Blue
• Ebony
• Fawn
• Red
• Chocolate
• Cream
• Silver
• Snow

However, there are many more colors you can run into when looking at these gorgeous felines. Even though they will most often have a coat pattern, you will occasionally run into a solid-colored Desert Lynx.

These cats are also known for the dramatic dark lines around their eyes. This makes them look more exotic than other cats. They will also usually have spots on the belly and stripes around their legs. 

Desert Lynx cats are quite large, move graciously, and always look elegant. Their ears are usually straight, although sometimes they can be curled. In this case, some refer to the breed as Highlander.

It's all Personal. The Desert Lynx Personality

These cats will make for amazing feline companions as they are extremely friendly and love being around people. They have been kept as domestic pets for quite some time now, and their popularity worldwide is increasing. 

Kittens that were born as a result of the mating of a domestic cat and a bobcat will usually have a mild, loving personality. Such is the case with the Desert Lynx. The combination of its exotic look with the loyal, affectionate, and playful personality makes them the perfect pet.

Many often compare the personality of the Desert Lynx to that of a dog, and for a good reason. These kitties will be extremely loyal to you, will love you unconditionally, and will adore every moment you spend together with them.

They are also quite active cats. Don’t expect your Desert Lynx to spend its day sitting around the house. Despite being active they won’t climb on high places in your home, so that’s one less thing to worry about.

Even though they love company, these cats tend to be careful around new people. If you have guests coming over, your Desert Lynx will hide for the first half-hour or so. Only after some time has passed will the cat have enough courage to come and greet the guests.

Desert Lynx cats do have varying personalities when it comes to dealing with new people. Some will allow them to pet them, while others won’t. So always be careful when letting strangers pet your Desert Lynx.

Despite all this, we definitely could describe the personality of a Desert Lynx as outgoing. They will do well with children and other cats and dogs. They will demand a lot of love from you - these cats adore hugs and kisses, and you should expect some back from them as well!

With their gentle personality, these cats truly make wonderful pets for anyone. They are not that vocal either, but they will try to talk with you occasionally. Expect to hear a wide variety of sounds then, including chirps and whistles.

Caring for your Desert Lynx

When it comes to grooming, you should brush the coat of your Desert Lynx once or twice every week. This will help keep its coat in wonderful condition and prevent mats from forming. Grooming time is also a nice way to bond with your feline companion some more!

These cats are actually really good at keeping themselves clean and should only be bathed in extreme situations. Other than that, they are pretty low maintenance as far as grooming goes.

The Desert Lynx will do well in all types of climate. These cats are highly adaptable. The only thing you should make sure of is that your cat has enough shade and fresh water at all times. This is especially important during hotter months of the year.

Make sure to visit the vet with your Lynx regularly. The checkups will be important, but you should do some yourself as well. Always examine the ears of your pet cat to see if there is any dirt building up which could cause an infection.

Also, make sure to start regular teeth brushing regimen. Your vet will help you with this and will help you pick the best toothpaste and technique for your pet cat.

Another thing you should look into is a scratching post to place in your pet cat’s living environment. Healthy scratching will do good for your Desert Lynx and it will help keep its nails in excellent condition. A cat tree is also a nice addition to your home if you plan to own one of these cats.

The Health and Happiness of your Desert Lynx

The lifespan of a Desert Lynx can be anywhere between 13 and 15 years and they are generally healthy cats. These cats don’t have any breed-specific health issues.

However, always pay attention to how your cat is behaving. If you notice that it is in distress or pain, you should react immediately. Ear and eye infections can be quite common, as well as problems with teeth. 

High-quality cat food should be the most important part of the diet of a Desert Lynx and make sure to consult with your vet about the best one. Other than that, these cats won’t require a special health regimen. They are also easily litterbox trained.

How Do I Find a Reputable Desert Lynx Breeder?

As far as these cats go, finding a breeder can be tricky. Usually one will pop up from time to time, so you need to be on the lookout.

This is a rare breed that can easily be found around cat shelters, but breeders are definitely rarer than usual.

However, you can always take a look at our list of Desert Lynx breeders and see if someone popped up.

The price range of these cats can be quite insane, from $1,500 all the way up to $20,000.

Feline History. Where does the Desert Lynx come from?

According to the most stories we have about the history of this breed, the origins of the Desert Lynx go back directly to the bobcat. Many feline breeds were created by breeding the bobcat with domestic cats.

The goal was to create a cat that combined the exotic wildcat look and the loving and affectionate personality of a domestic cat. The Desert Lynx was one of the results of these breeding experiments. Nowadays, they are mostly found all over North America.

You can find these cats easily in various shelters or rescue groups, so adopting is a good way to get one. In addition, this breed is officially recognized by the International Progressive Cat Breeders Alliance (IPCBA).