Tabby cats: features of the pattern on the coat and a list of breeds

Of all the pets, perhaps the greatest love and popularity is enjoyed by everyone's beloved cats. Every hobbyist has their own preferences. Some people prefer redheads, others prefer black or three-suited. Tabby cats also have quite a few fans.

Translated from English, the word "tabby" means "striped" or "motley". The very first spots in cats appeared for protection and camouflage. It was thanks to them that small animals hid from large predators, and also easily approached their prey. This coloring is most natural for representatives of the feline family.

However, they all have characteristics that tabby cats have in common. These include the following items:

• mark in the form of the letter "M" on the forehead;
• nose and eyes, outlined with bright edging;
• on the collar, legs and on the tail, there are clearly pronounced patterns resembling a necklace.

Most often, these cats come with warm-colored eyes. They are also yellow, brown, and copper. Only in silvery animals can eyes be green.

The shade of the coat, first of all, depends on the amount of melanin - a pigment that is present in the hair of its coat. But the agouti gene is responsible for the dark stripes. It is thanks to him that pigmentation is manifested and becomes visible to the human eye. Most often, the wool is decorated with transverse stripes. The wider the stripes, the darker the color of the cat's coat. The pigment eumelanin is responsible for the black stripes or spots, and pheomelanin is responsible for the brown-red ones.

Felinologists who study cats divide tabby drawings into several types, each of which has a specific number in the international coding system. In addition, they all have different characteristics.

Cats with this type of coloration, at first glance, seem to be monochromatic, but in fact they have some markings that are placed on the paws, tail and muzzle of the animal. If you look closely at these cats, you will notice small black rings that look like human freckles.

Tiger cats are also called domestic animals, and their wild relatives, and new purebred cats with the same coloring. There is another name applied to them - tabby mackerel. These cats got their name in honor of the fish with the same name.

Tiger stripes run along the spine and then branch vertically at the sides. There are several rings in the form of necklaces on the chest.

Such animals are distinguished by rather large and clear patterns, which are placed in the form of stripes or rather wide streaks. On the back of these animals, you can see a drawing in the form of a beautiful butterfly.

Such cats, as can be understood from the name of the type, are a bit like leopards. Only their color is a little more faded. The spots are found mainly on the back and sides.

In addition to these basic types of colors, there are a number of varieties of tabby cats.

1. Tortoiseshell tabby. Two main colors are combined here at once: white and red or black. All over the body of the animal, you can see randomly placed drawings.
2. Lynx point. In such a cat, the pattern is placed only on the neck, paws, tail, as well as on its face and ears. All other parts of the body are monochromatic.
3. Patched. Most often, this color is inherent in cats. On the main pattern, be it spotted, ticked or any other, there are small patches of ginger or cream color.

In addition, all tabby cats also differ in that what is their main shade of coat.

1. Brown. Light brown cats have black paw pads as well as a similar nose. The spots on the coat stand out in a rich black tint.
2. Purple. In animals with this color, the paw pads and nose are painted in a delicate pink color. In addition, all markings also stand out in a beige or lilac shade, only more saturated.
3. Silver. Cats of this color have a silvery coat. In addition, the drawing is quite pronounced against its background.
4. Red. Most often, cats are painted in a light red color, and dark red patterns stand out against its background.
5. Tiger. In this case, ticked hairs are distributed throughout the cat's body. The pattern is striped and resembles the color of the fur of real tigers.
6. Blue. Gray designs can be seen on the cream background. In addition, the paw pads and nose of the animal will be gray or pink.

For some cat breeds, the tabby pattern is an integral part of them, in others, one or more kittens may appear.

This cat breed was artificially bred. There are several color options. To obtain Ocicats, two representatives of the spotted tabby were crossed. Almost every kitten has a bright spotted pattern that stands out against the main background.

A cat of this breed has a ticked color. He may not have a necklace on his chest or legs, but his eyes are outlined in dark. Besides, on the face there is a distinctive mark in the form of the letter "M".

Almost all of its body seems to be monochromatic, but at the same time, there are distinctive tabby patterns on the paws, muzzle and tail of such an animal.Most often there are cats with such shades of coat as lilac, blue or brownish-red.

This cat breed was naturally formed. Such an animal has a leopard type. The main features of the breed are the following:

• a large number of bright and contrasting spots of different sizes are randomly located throughout the body;
• their form is quite varied;
• there is a distinctive “M” tabby pattern on the forehead, which makes the cat look a little gloomy;
• on the chest, as well as on the neck, you can see a typical tabby necklace;
• the paws are framed with stripes resembling bracelets.

The main color of these cats is black or silver. In addition, there are smoky cats. They are rarer and therefore considered much more valuable.

This breed of cats has a light ticked color. Almost every hair of an animal is colored differently.

However, some shadows on the forepaws of such animals are also allowed. They resemble bracelets a little in their shape. In addition, there are also tabby decals on the face. This is, first of all, a pattern in the form of the letter "M" in a saturated dark color.

The main color of Singaporean cats is considered to be ivory, on which the ticking of a brown shade is very clearly visible. The tone can be lighter or darker.

In addition, tabby kittens can also be found in the litter of other cat breeds. They will all meet breed standards.

1. Sphinxes. Dark spots are located in such animals on the legs, back, and also on the tail. The most common sphinxes are marble, leopard or tiger colors. Against the background of smooth leather with a light downy covering, the characteristic color is noticeable as well as on a long coat.
2. Thai cats have a point color that appears on the face, paws and ears. The main color of the coat is considered to be white.
3. For the Siberian cat breed, any color option is acceptable, except for ticked. Small specks and characteristic tabby patterns can be seen all over the long coat.
4. The main color of the British cat breed is leopard. Their eyes are either green or copper. However, the most valuable shade is considered to be marble. It appears already in newborn kittens, while the pattern is visible very clearly.

From birth, spots and stripes stand out brightly against the background of the wool. However, a subspecies of the British color-point cat breed attracts special attention. They have beautiful blue eyes, very thick and light coat. In addition, bright patterns are clearly visible on the tail, paws and muzzle.

In addition, the World Federation of Felinologists has established certain color standards for each specific breed of cats. For some of them, the tabby color is completely unacceptable, and a cat with such a "defect" cannot be allowed to participate in exhibitions. These should include breeds such as the Russian Blue or Siamese, Burmese or Chartreuse. If the owners of the cat are not aimed at taking him to exhibitions, you can safely take such an animal and not be afraid that something will be wrong with him.

In this video you can get acquainted with the Asian tabby cat breed, its habits and the main characteristics of this breed.