Cats of tortie
color (tortie, calico) - a win-win lottery. Yes, it’s a lottery. The gene transmitting such a colorful color does not exist. Such a fur coat is given by Nature exclusively to females in unpredictable variations. There are, however, exceptions to these exceptions, but their rarity is incredible (for example, one in a million mustachioed gentlemen can be born with this coat color).
Cats of a tortoiseshell color do not have a clear framework and proportions. The main indicator of tortoise is the presence of red in the coloring. That is, red spots of different sizes and shades are added to the main tone. Moreover, there is evidence that this type of coloring is unstable and can change under various influences, for example, after molting or giving birth.
According to legend, tortoiseshell cats bring happiness to the house. From time immemorial, people have been happy to let tricolor hunters under their roof, considering this fact to be God's providence. At the moment, felinologists, responding to incredible demand, are making a lot of efforts to breed animals of this color, creating more and more original shades and combinations.
By the way, classic tortoiseshell cats in Russia were called "rich", and felinologists use a slightly different term - calico. They are three-colored: white-black-red (the colors are standard, and the shades vary).
This option of combining colors and shades is allowed among animals of almost any breed. It can be a Persian tortie cat , British or Siamese. Differences are only in the color scheme. So, there may well be long-haired or short-haired, lilac, chocolate or black "turtles". In some cases, inexperienced breeders confuse the color of the tabby with the tortie, similar in the presence of stripes of different shades, but having (according to existing prescribed standards) several color marks on the face. A mixture of tortoiseshell and tabby gives the color of torbi (tortie).
The color of the eyes of cats depends on the shade of the coat. Almost all “turtles” of all breeds have copper-orange bright eyes. For example, a Siberian cat, whose tortoiseshell color distinguishes it from its other brethren, should have a bright red eye color as an exception to the breed standard.
It should also be noted that different classifications of different felinological associations spell out different requirements for shades and type of color for different breeds.
We told you exclusively about the general provisions that currently exist with respect to baleen "turtles". At exhibitions of cats of a similar color, the type of skeleton, the shape of the head, the structure of the ears, and only last but not least the color are evaluated. Assessment in this case has a purely “taste” character. That is, if the judge likes it, then you are in the lead, if not, then “alas and ah.” As they say, they don’t argue about tastes. Of course, there are some conditional criteria, for example, the brightness and quality of the coat, but the shade itself is not regulated by anything strict, that is, by strict standards.