What will you learn from the article?
- Tabby cat breeds
- Features of Australian Mist
- American Wirehair
- American Curl
- Asian tabby
- Jungala
- Kurilian, American Bobtail
- Maine Coon
- Manx
- Pixiebob
- Toyger
- Ceylon cat
- Siberian cat
The most common color among domestic cats is dark stripes against a lighter coat. Striping is not a distinctive feature of any breed. Many types of domestic cats can boast tiger stripes on their fur coats.
Features of tabby cats
Tabby is a “wild” coloring that was common among the ancestors of modern cat breeds. The striped color allowed wild cats to camouflage themselves in tall grass while hunting. A mandatory feature of all tabby cats is the pronounced letter “M” on the animal’s forehead.
Tabby cats are believed to have strong immunity. This is not a coincidence, because the streaking gene is directly related to health. It promotes the formation of a strong immune system.
The character of tabby cats is balanced. These are strong, dexterous and energetic animals. They are freedom-loving and independent. These cats are inquisitive and love to be the boss of the house.
TOP 14 most striking representatives of the striped color
Almost all cats are tabbies, except for breeds that have a solid or solid color. These are Chartreuse, Russian Blue, Nibelung, Bombay cat, Balinese and some others. There are breeds that are bright representatives of the striped color.
Toyger
This breed is essentially a subspecies of the Bengal. For a Bengal cat, the merging of spots into continuous stripes is unacceptable and serves as grounds for disqualification.
The consolidation of this culling factor led to the formation of a new cat variety with a brindle pattern. In English-speaking felinology it is called mackerel.
This strong and energetic pet is no different in personality from the Bengal.
Read more in the article about toygers.
European Shorthair
Celtic cat is the second name of the breed. This naturally occurring variety has a strong, muscular body. He has a calm and friendly character. It is undemanding in maintenance and care.
Siberian cat
Animals with a strong and powerful body and a luxurious fur coat with undercoat are carriers of a very healthy immune system. This natural breed was formed in Siberia over many centuries.
Wonderful hunters and home protectors with a variety of numerous colors are always tabbies. They are distinguished by stripes on the paws and tail, round spots on the stomach and a clearly drawn letter M on the forehead.
By nature, these are very calm and serious animals that do not like excessive care. Long hair requires some care, especially during the shedding period.
Read more in the article about Siberian cats.
American Shorthair
These cats, which descended from their European counterparts, came to America with the first settlers. Adapting to new, harsh living conditions, the animals became larger in size and stronger, more muscular. The American coat is coarser and denser, with a well-developed undercoat.
The colors are varied - solid, shaded and tabby. The most famous, beloved and widespread type is the American cat with a classic marbled color.
These sociable but independent pets adapt well to any living conditions. They are smart and easy to train. They obey their household members and consider it their duty to care for and protect everyone living in the house.
The short and dense coat requires virtually no maintenance. The health of these cats usually does not cause any concern to owners.
Also read the article about American Shorthair cats.
Bengal
These hybrid animals always carry the Tm or Tb allele. Polygenic combinations produce the spotted tabby color. All cats have bright stripes and spots on their bodies, paws, tails and bellies. In this case, the main background can be different - gold (red), silver (gray), white (snow colors), black (black).
Bengal is a very mobile and active animal. Attached to the owner, an eternal child who will play all his life. Suffering from loneliness.
If it is not possible for one of the household members to always be in the house, then it is better to get another pet with the same lively and restless character.
The Bengal owes its dazzlingly beautiful coat with soft shiny fur to its wild ancestor - the Asian leopard cat (or Lesser Asian leopard). ALC, along with Ocelot and Margay, is the most striking representative of the tabby color in the world of wild cat species.
American Bobtail
The breed originated in the United States of America. Her ancestor was a homeless tabby kitten from the Arizona Indian Reservation.
These short-tailed animals come in different colors and types, but the tabby pattern remains the most common and beloved.
The character of the pets is calm and flexible. At the same time, they retain their love of freedom and independence. Smart, intelligent, even trainable. They are unpretentious in care and nutrition.
Read more in the article about American Bobtails.
Cymric
The long-haired beauty is distinguished by complete taillessness and a strong, muscular, fairly large body.
The double coat has a powerful undercoat, so the animal visually appears even larger. Comes in various colors. But tabby coloring is the most widespread.
These hardy, loyal and affectionate animals will never allow themselves to offend children. They are one of the best breeds for home keeping.
More about the Cymrics.
Soukok or sokoke
A small cat with a dry type of muscles is the bearer of a special unique color, which is called “soukok-tabby”.
This natural breed was discovered in Kenya, in the town of Soukok.
The color variations of the wool are varied, but the pattern is always marbled, in the form of large rings and “rosettes” of various sizes.
As a domestic variety, it is still a very young breed. Only twenty animals are registered in the fifth generation.
Good-natured pets are very active, cheerful and restless. Lovers to “talk” and play, are very smart and independent. They get along well with everyone, but it is better to have a cat of the same breed as a companion. They need large spaces to play and love to swim.
Read more in the article about the Sokoke breed.
Maine Coon
A native breed from the American state of Maine, it is distinguished by its large size, long, dense coat with a well-developed undercoat and independent character.
There are many legends about the origin of the variety. Maine Coon literally means “raccoon from Maine.” The second most popular breed in the United States.
The colors of the long coat can be different - solid, smoky, tortie and tabby. Although there are experiments on breeding coons and color-point colors, the so-called Si-coons.
These animals are calm, reserved, self-confident, independent, but good-natured. They require daily care and increased attention to health.
Norwegian forest
A strong and robust animal with a characteristic and recognizable body shape. Good health, excellent muscles and a long double coat with water-repellent properties are what allowed this cat to survive and adapt to the harsh Scandinavian climate.
This is the only cat that can climb down a tree trunk with its face; no other domestic breed has such powerful claws.
Tabby is one of the most common colors of the Norwegian.
The character is calm and reserved. The animal does not tolerate loneliness well and becomes strongly attached to humans.
Exotic
The exotic cat's body structure is completely reminiscent of the Persian. This breed was bred as its short-haired variant.
Among the many colors of Exot, tabby is very popular and loved.
These calm and unpretentious animals are generally recognized throughout the world as the most affectionate and loyal. The best pet option for families with children.
Asian tabby
The breed was artificially bred in the 1980s. The color of the coat can be different - black, red, chocolate, blue, cream, lilac, caramel, apricot. But the color is only tabby.
Calm and good-natured pets are very sociable and devoted to people. They get along well with any animals and are quite silent.
Pixiebob
This young variety is gaining worldwide popularity every year. First of all, because of his wonderful character. Although the exotic appearance also matters.
Pixie means “fairy-tale elf” - that was the name of the first representative of the breed. Bob - short ponytail.
These are animals with the appearance of a lynx and the character of an angel.
Active and energetic pets are completely unobtrusive and at the same time pathologically devoted to their owner. Very smart, inquisitive and sociable. They can easily learn to perform simple commands.
Read more in the article about pixie bobs.
British breed
British dogs come in different colors - both solid and tabby. Striped colors are very diverse in their color variations. They are divided into marbled, brindle and spotted (spotted) type according to the nature of the pattern.
Cats have the character of true English lords, they are very reserved, independent and proud.
We also recommend reading the article about British shorthair, longhair and fold cats.
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Varieties
Cat mackerel
- Mackerel cat. The stripes on his back are narrow and continuous, they gently curve. There are dark markings on the paws and near the tail. Dark lines run along the animal's cheeks to the corners of the eyes.
- Spotted tabby cat. In this variety, the stripes are very broken, they are more like spots.
- Classic striped color. There are circulating spots of dark brown, black or gray on the sides. Three narrow stripes stretch along the spine, the central stripe is painted in a darker shade.
Striped tabby color options: brindle (mackerel) and classic (merle)
There are no cats with exactly the same tabby color. Each animal has its own unique pattern on its coat. Tabby has several subspecies, but only two of them make their owner striped:
- brindle – a characteristic feature is vertical stripes of varying lengths and thicknesses;
- classic - the stripes have a spiral shape and resemble streaks, like on a marble stone.
The other two tabby patterns do not form stripes:
- spotted – spots are randomly scattered throughout the animal’s fur coat;
- ticked - each hair on the coat is sequentially colored in 2-3 different colors.
Popularity of the red and gray tabby cat
Since ancient times, the red tabby cat was considered a talisman against various diseases and misfortunes. The red coat color symbolizes joy, happiness and wealth. These are cunning, slightly arrogant cats. But their playful nature makes up for these shortcomings. You won't be bored with them.
The gray tabby cat is the hero of many folk tales and songs. Such cats are often used to advertise an active, cheerful pet. They are believed to charge a person with positive energy and bring him good luck.
Let's move directly to the list of the most popular breeds that have striped coloring.
Breeds that are proud of their stripes
And yet, the palm should be given to the family of cats, which is popularly called the Noble family. It is impossible to describe the external characteristics: they are all different, the color of the coat varies from black striped to white speckled with gray striped spots. Yes, and physical characteristics are also different. Some are strong, some are graceful. Gray striped cats of the noble “breed” also have common characteristics. For example, they are considered the hardiest cats. There is one more thing that gray tabby cats have in common. If they are brought into the house, put in order and begin to take care of them, then they become very devoted to their new owners.
Names of other domestic breeds of gray tabby cats:
- British;
- European Shorthair;
- Toyger;
- Bobtail.
Tabby cats of each breed have characteristic features that are characteristic of their family:
British . These are strong, medium-sized cats with a round muzzle. They are smart and playful. The gray color of their coat is called tabby.
© shutterstock
European Shorthair . A strong cat, large, but incredibly graceful. Independent character. Its dark gray stripes most often decorate its gray and brown coat. There are also spotted colors of the breed.
Toyger . The muscular body of this tiger cub fully corresponds to the characteristics of a real tiger, only in miniature. The heart-shaped face, slightly rounded ears, especially fluffy chest, strong paws are in full agreement with their “relatives” along the line of predators.
Bobtail . Several varieties of bobtails share common characteristics: a muscular build, long, strong hind legs and a short, stubby tail. These gray-black-striped faces are incredibly friendly and good-natured.
American Bobtail
This breed arose by chance. In the 60s last century, a kitten with an unusually short tail was found. It turned out that this is a manifestation of a dominant gene. It was this baby who became the ancestor of the entire breed.
Most American Bobtails are born with short tails, but there are tabby kittens that are born without a tail at all. True, such individuals are not allowed to exhibit.
These cats have long, strong legs. The head resembles a wedge. The muzzle is wide and has well-defined cheeks. The cat's nose is wide, slightly snub. Adults have tassels on their ears. The coat is dense and fluffy.
The length of the tail does not exceed 8 cm.
American Bobtails are distinguished by their poise and calmness. These cats are very playful and sociable. They are very friendly and get along well with other pets. They can't stand loneliness. They love walks and active games, and love to accompany their owner on trips.
Eye colors
The eye color of a gray-white cat can be almost any; there are no restrictions in this regard :
However, it is worth noting that those individuals who have blue eyes are most valued. Thus, a kitten with blue eyes and a gray-white color can cost several times more than its counterparts on the zoological market.
In fact, eye color has little effect on any physiological or psychological characteristics of the animal - it simply increases its aesthetic appeal. Therefore, if you are ready to sacrifice financial resources for the sake of a pleasant appearance, then feel free to give preference to blue-eyed gray-white cats.
Cymric
This is another tabby cat with a short tail. The ancestors of this breed come from Maine. They were obtained by crossing a short-tailed cat with a long-haired breed. She is very rare. By the way, the breed is called the Celtic tribe.
The Cymric has a large, rounded head. They have large cheeks and a large chin. The ears are set wide apart and are rounded at the tips. The compact body is well developed. The back of the body is slightly raised (the hind legs of the animal are longer than the front). The tail is missing; in its place there is a small, inconspicuous cartilage.
Cymriki are friendly and playful. The animal does not play pranks: it does not scratch furniture, does not climb curtains, and does not knock over objects. He gets along well with children and never uses his claws. Like the American Bobtail, the Cymric does not tolerate loneliness.
Beloved Basta
Another favorite story about the magnificent letter "M" was told by Jim Willis in his short story "Basta's Beloved," which is included in his book Pieces of My Heart - Writings Inspired by Animals and Nature. It tells the story of an old brown tabby cat named "Mother".
Another frequently cited article states that in ancient Egypt, cats were worshiped as gods and the cat never forgot. Indeed, the goddess Bastet was depicted with a cat's head, and Ra, the sun god, was often depicted as a cat.
It's no surprise that tabby cats are especially worthy of our respect. Today they create their own legends about them and many of you will confirm this.
Norwegian Forest Cat
The name speaks for itself. These cats previously lived in the harsh conditions of the Norwegian forests. There is a version that Angora cats were brought to Scandinavia by the Vikings.
There they were crossed with their short-haired counterparts. The resulting breed acquired a thick undercoat and strong claws. She stood out for her strength, agility and large size.
Pixie bob
Another breed that has a wild disposition. It is the result of crossing a domestic and wild cat. The name of the breed literally translates as “short-tailed elf.”
These cats are quite large - the weight of males reaches 8-10 kg. Interestingly, representatives of the breed have polydactyly - more fingers than necessary.
However, this is not considered a disadvantage. In addition, such individuals are more resilient and have good health. The most common color is black or brown stripes on a light background.
The pixie bob has a massive, pear-shaped head. Due to the growth pattern of the coat, sideburns are observed. The ears are medium in size and have tufts at the tips. The paws are powerful, each paw can have up to 7 toes. The eyes are wide, the brow ridges are well defined.
The length of the tail does not exceed 5 cm. The Pixie Bob is a long-haired breed. The length of the coat can exceed 5 cm.
Like dogs, pixie bobs follow their owners everywhere. They love active games, swimming and walks. They don’t play pranks and don’t impose themselves. They are easy to train. They get sick extremely rarely.
How to care?
Caring for gray-white cats is not much different from caring for animals whose fur has other shades. However, there are still some characteristic features.
So, in the process of keeping an animal, as well as caring for it, one should take into account all the features of the breed that are characteristic of this animal. Particular attention should be paid to the behavioral patterns of cats.
In addition, as a general rule, when eating, you should avoid including animal products rich in iodine in your diet. The thing is that a high content of this component in the animal’s body can affect its appearance in such a way that the gray-white wool will have a brownish tint. If you want to preserve the original purity of the color, then this rule should in no case be neglected.
The diet must be saturated with all microelements and substances that are necessary for the full growth and development of the animal. It doesn’t matter whether you prefer dry food or natural food.
Due to the light color of the coat, grooming measures for it deserve special attention. Gray-white cats need bathing and hygiene procedures more often than other cats. This is especially true for those animals that spend a lot of time outside (for example, if you live in a private house and let your cat out into the yard). Combing procedures are also necessary, the regularity of which depends on the length of the fur of a particular animal.
Of course, to keep a cat at home, it must be provided with all the necessary equipment: a tray that acts as a toilet, its own bed, bowls of food and water, and a scratching post. Try to create the most comfortable and convenient conditions for the cat, because in your apartment he should feel at home, and not as a guest.
Pay close attention to his behavior and mood.
Despite the fact that all of the above aspects of cat care and maintenance are very important, the basic and basic principle of keeping a pet is still constant monitoring of its health. In order to maintain the animal's health at the proper level, from the very first day of keeping him, make sure that he has received all vaccinations and other necessary medical procedures. Do not forget about regular systematic visits to the veterinarian to treat the animal for fleas, worms and other harmful organisms.
Constantly monitor the behavior and activity level of the cat at home, and at the first manifestations of the disease, contact a specialist.
Thus, you and I were able to see that in nature there are a huge number of species and breeds of gray-white cats. Some are more valuable and cost more than others . Despite this, there is no doubt that regardless of breed or lack thereof, the gray and white color attracts many. It is important to remember that the physiological and psychological characteristics of a particular animal will depend more on its breed, and not on its color. Therefore, before buying a pet, carefully study the characteristic features of cats of the exact type you plan to have at home.
About the Siberian breed of gray cats, see the video below.
Striped cats are more popular among pet lovers than their solid-colored relatives. Contrasting horizontal and vertical stripes on the pet's coat, arranged in a chaotic manner, make it look like a small tiger.
This color is called tabby. It is typical for both individual cat breeds and outbred individuals or mixed breeds. Representatives of which cat breeds are more likely than others to be born striped whales?
Soukok
These tabby cats are native to Kenya. There is an opinion that these are ordinary domestic cats brought by Europeans, who escaped into the forest and adapted to life in the tropics.
The cat's head is small and wedge-shaped. At the top the skull is almost flat. The ears are round and wide at the base. There are tassels at the ends.
The eyes are large and almond-shaped. Their legs are long, the hind legs are larger than the front ones. When walking, it seems that the cat is crouching. The tail is also long. The body is muscular. The coat is short and lies close to the body. The weight of cats reaches 3-6 kg.
Mating white cats
If you want to breed, for example, white Persians, then find a second equally snow-white representative of the breed. Although there may be surprises here too.
After all, white is a genetically disguised color of any other color.
Very often, kittens are born with spots on their heads, which disappear over time; the domesticated predator turns white.
But these marks are a sign that the cat’s offspring will be gray. Not necessarily all newborns, but definitely a couple.
The pedigree of the father and mother plays a very important role.
If in some tribe one of them had red or gray cats, then perhaps after a few generations this gene will become dominant in one of the newborns and the kitten will turn out to be red.
White color is a genetically disguised color of any other color. Very often, kittens are born with spots on their heads, which disappear over time; the domesticated predator turns white
So, it is very difficult to be one hundred percent sure of the color of the offspring. There may be surprises.
If you are lucky and the parents are homozygous - not causing segregation in future generations, then you can be calm about snow-whiteness.
Toyger
These brindle cats were only recently recognized in 2007, but they have long since won their place in the hearts of many cat lovers. The name of the breed consists of two parts: “toy” (toy) and “tiger” (tiger). "Toy Tiger" A very appropriate name!
At the end of the 90s. last century, one breeder from the USA set the task of breeding miniature tigers. And she completely succeeded. The toyger is the result of crossing a Bengal with a tiger-colored cat brought from India.
This is a short-haired breed. Their fur is shiny, very soft and elastic. Their body is medium-sized and muscular. The muzzle is slightly elongated. The ears are set wide apart and rounded. The eyes are bright. The limbs are thick and strong. The tail is long and set low. The weight of cats reaches 10 kg, and females - 6 kg.
Despite their “wild” appearance, these cats are very affectionate, intelligent and loyal. They are distinguished by sociability and curiosity. They lead an active lifestyle. They love water procedures. They are not aggressive and get along well with other pets.
Maine Coon
This breed has probably gained the greatest popularity among all cats around the world. Its homeland is North America, Maine. Only large, hardy animals with thick undercoat and thick fur can survive the cold winters of this area.
The Maine Coon's body is muscular, and the cat itself is large. The head is medium size, square in shape. The ears are large, pointed, wide at the base. Paws of medium length. The tail is long, fluffy, and should reach the level of the shoulder blades. The coat is soft, dense, and there is a collar around the neck (however, not always). The color can be any, including striped.
Their character is soft and affectionate. They become very attached to their owner. They lead an active lifestyle and do not require special attention to themselves. Maine Coons do not like to be held. They prefer to just be next to the owner, watching everything that happens.
Character
First of all, it is important to remember that, despite the fact that all gray-white cats are united by color, they themselves are individual animals that are not similar to each other. Therefore, the character and behavior of one cat may differ significantly from these indicators in another. It is easiest to predict and analyze the character of purebred animals, because they are well researched and studied by scientists. It is much more difficult to judge the character of yard gray-white cats.
Despite this diversity, many owners of gray-white cats still highlight some similar features of these animals. Thus, in terms of their behavioral patterns, such pets are quite calm and docile. Some of them may show increased activity and playfulness, but such characteristics are due to the characteristics of a particular breed.
Gray-white cats are quite friendly towards their owners and household members. At the same time, it is worth considering that such animals can remember the insult for a long time and try to take revenge.
Therefore, you should not show unreasonable aggression and anger towards your pet. In addition, such animals are easy to train and learn; they quickly begin to use the tray and know their place. Such signs are due, first of all, to the high intellectual abilities that nature has endowed gray-white furry pets with.
