British cats colors

Today, few people remember that the first representatives of the British cat breed were monophonic and extremely smoky-blue color. Over time, thanks to the many years of efforts of breeders, individuals with new interesting colors appeared.

Today, there are about 200 different types of wool "British". However, all this motley diversity is clearly regulated. There is a whole system of international norms and standards, color gradation by point system. Experts in the field of felinology evaluate each kitten presented to them for examination, and assign it a unique code, which is recorded in the pedigree of the animal.

The assessment is influenced by many different factors: general genetics, compatibility of colors of the couple, how close the relationship of parents to each other. Some kind of color gene may prevail over another - this also affects the resulting offspring.

The main points to be assessed:

• the intensity of coat and undercoat color;
• the presence or absence of the pattern;
• eye color, pads on the paws, and color of the tip of the kitten's nose.

All existing today color diversity of British cats can be divided into several main groups.

• Monochromatic colors. They are also otherwise called solid or solid. The main requirement for them - the color should be uniform.

• Tortoiseshell. This color is obtained by mating partners with black, blue, cream or red colors. There are no special requirements for this color, as in this case it is impossible to predict the result in advance.

• Smoky. The main coat color of smoky Britons is observed only on the surface of the skins, and the undercoat is lighter in contrast. Color can vary from silver-gray to black with languishing. A typical example of a smoky cat is a chinchilla.

• Tabby. Various drawings are allowed here. The pattern may be implicitly expressed - ticked or marble, as well as with a traceable pattern - for example, clearly marked spots or stripes. Typical signs of tabbies (tabby is written in some sources) include a mark on the forehead in the form of the letter “M”, the presence of dark stripes near the eyes and on the cheeks, as well as a pattern of rings on the neck and chest.

• Bicolor - this is any combination of white as an extra with other basic shades. In this case, the white part should be no more than 1/3 of the primary color. Various patterns, patterns and blemishes are allowed. A prerequisite - the presence of color on one ear and on the head. The presence of a pattern over the whole body is allowed with respect to the proportionality of coloring.

• Color painting (or Siamese) - when the body itself is white, and dark color is present only at the edges: the lower parts of the paws, the tip of the tail, the muzzle and the ears. The color of the coat may vary with temperature.

The following colors of a single color are considered classic.

• The black. Cats of this color are quite rare, so they are highly valued in the market. Black wool is tough to the touch and has a beautiful sheen. The animal should be black, all without exception: from the paw pads to the tip of the nose.Some relief can be made for eye color: in addition to the usual green, copper and gold hues are allowed. The purity of the breed depends on the undercoat - its color should match exactly with the color of the coat.

• Blue. It is otherwise interpreted as gray. This is a classic British breed. Wool is completely devoid of even a hint of shine and looks like a plush toy - just as soft and pleasant to the touch. Some interpretations from light smoky to graphite are allowed. For knitting, lighter shades of wool are valued, but dark colors are scarce. Here color homogeneity is also appreciated, any impurities of other tones are unacceptable.

• Chocolate. This color has appeared relatively recently, so there is little chance to meet him at exhibitions. But he has already become a favorite at various exhibitions. In contrast to the blue group, dark shades are valued here more, although there are semitones from light brown, almost beige to coffee, almost black. The nose and paw pads are also dark brown, with bright yellow to coppery-brown eyes. The peculiarity of chocolate colored kittens is that the color does not form immediately and finally forms at about the age of 1.5 years.

• Purple (or pink). Very beautiful and aristocratic shade, which is very popular. Colors of three degrees of intensity are allowed: light white and pink color, medium with a violet shade, dark type of coffee with milk. The lighter the shade of wool, the more valuable it is considered.

Paws and nose should be the color of the coat, eyes are usually copper or orange.

• Faun. This is the lighter version of the lilac color. The differences are only in shades: cats with faun color have a lighter, sandy shade of wool. Their paws and nose, respectively, are also lighter than those of a group of lilac kittens. They are characterized by a delicate pinkish-beige color. Often it is this factor that is decisive in determining which group individuals belong to.

• Cinnamon or cinnamon color. This group is often confused with chocolate, however, they differ in color intensity. In kittens the color of cinnamon color is more delicate, with a light, subtle coating of copper or bronze. A characteristic feature of this group is that in such kittens the fur near the eyes and mouth is slightly lighter than the rest. Spout and pads of warm powdery tint. This breed is also bred relatively recently, but already has a whole army of fans. To obtain this shade it is necessary that both parents have this color.

• Red, referred to in the common people "red" or "golden". Very complex color: brightness and depth are valued in it, the richer the color is, the more valuable it is. Cats and cats that have the correct red color of wool without any impurities are a rather rare phenomenon, therefore, experts admit slight inclusions and a distant hint like a striped tabby pattern.

• Cream. There is also the name "beige". This soft peach shade beats all records of popularity among breeders. As in other variants of the classic colors of British cats, uniformity and depth are appreciated here, without any transition from one shade to another. The mirror of the nose and the legs of pastel pink tones, the eyes can be from bright orange to copper-brown.

• White. As in the case of getting black color, it is extremely difficult to achieve perfect white. The fact is that offspring from two parents with white hair often have congenital problems with the hearing aid. The color should be clear, without the slightest hint of yellowness or other shade - this is considered a breed deficiency. Often, kittens are born with colorful spots that should disappear closer to the first year of life. To achieve the perfect color is quite difficult, so he was not put on stream, and such kittens are valued by breeders. The nose and legs of white kittens are pale-pink, without a sharp pigment. Eye color can be a classic yellow-green, as well as blue.

Among all this diversity, the most popular are blue and purple colors. They are the easiest to withdraw and the least purity claims are presented to them. Not so long ago was withdrawn new look british with gold colorwhich today is considered one of the rarest and most beautiful. Especially spectacular gold-colored wool looks in combination with emerald eyes - this condition is mandatory in determining quality standards. No other eye color is accepted for specimens of a golden hue. The coat is soft, with a double undercoat the color of ripe apricot, slightly longer than that of a group of British with a solid color.

No other eye color is accepted for specimens of a golden hue. The coat is soft, with a double undercoat the color of ripe apricot, slightly longer than that of a group of British with a solid color.

Also kittens with silver skin are very popular. Various impurities of gray and black are allowed, but the presence of yellow spots is considered a gross violation of accepted norms. However, unlike the "golden" kittens in representatives of the silvery breed, the eyes can have not only green color, but also all shades of yellow and orange. During the first year of life, silver kittens may change the intensity of color, as well as the pattern itself. It may become more pronounced or, conversely, weaken its presence.

British cats of gold and silver color are divided into several subspecies.

• Shaded (or veiled)when the pigment appears only on the tips of the hairs, and the undercoat remains white. At the same time, the overall tone is even, without a pattern.
• Ticked when clearly traced pattern. It may be spotty or striped, as well as marble or other, but it is clearly marked.

British colors are so diverse that among them there are very interesting colors. For example, two-color kittens are very popular - this color is also called bicolor - when there is a clear distinction between white and some other color. At the same time white color should dominate over the other pigment. The most common bicolors with black and white wool. This color is often called sorochim or "megly."

Combinations of white with beige and other colors are not very common.

Another interesting type of coloring found in British cats - color point. This color is found in the breed of Siamese cats, when the whole body is light, and the muzzle, ears, feet of paws and the tip of the tail are darker. An indispensable condition for the British with this coat color - blue eyes. Due to the insufficiency of the genetic material, the breeding of this breed is problematic.

Also, the color is influenced by the habitat of animals: at lower air temperatures, the wool begins to darken, and in a warm climate, blackout, on the contrary, brightens. Caring for them, too, is quite troublesome. To maintain a long coat in proper form, it must be combed daily. In addition, animals need a special balanced diet.

Color-color point can be divided into several independent subspecies. We give them a brief description.

• Force point characterized by the presence of dark brown spots on the forehead, on the nose and on the paw pads. The body itself is light beige.

• Point Chocolate - the spot on the forehead has a lighter brown shade, the nose and pads of the same light brown color with a pinkish hint.

• Blue point: The main color is light gray with a bluish tint, the presence of a pronounced bluish-gray spot. The paw pads and the nose mirror are gray.

• Lilac point has some similarities with blue point, only the paws and spout are gray with a pink tinge.

• Lynx point: dark tabby tabby color. The presence of a spotted or tiger pattern.

• Cream Blue Point also suggests the presence of a spot of the same color.

Very interesting color - tortoise (tortie). Here, the most intricate variations of multicolor from patchwork color to the presence of small specks are possible. This color can contain up to 80 very different colors. The main condition is that all this diversity looks harmonious. Tortie kitty hair is short, compacted, soft, matte, without a glossy shine. The eyes are traditionally golden or copper hue, but as for the nose and pads on the paws, there may be several options: the monogamous colors are pink and black, as well as a combination of both colors.

Whatever kitten "British" you choose, focus primarily on its character. After all, the main thing is that your new pet become a friend and a full-fledged member of your family.

Interesting facts about British cats are waiting for you in the video below.