Black and white cats: behavior and common breeds

Domesticated representatives of the cat family are often endowed with a very interesting color. For many cats and cats of various breeds, a combination of wool in black and white colors in various ratios is characteristic. Many breeders believe that a black and white pet is characterized by a special behavior, and also due to the similar color, many kittens acquire a very original appearance. Before you start a black-and-white four-legged friend, it is useful to find out whether these animals really have a special disposition, which types of two-tone coloration exist, what are the peculiarities of care for such cats. All these questions will be discussed in detail in this article.

A black and white cat is a pet, the color of which can be completely different. The combination of these two colors in the wool of a domestic cat often creates a funny ensemble, sometimes forms a symmetry, and sometimes an asymmetry in color. The following features of such a contrasting pet hair can be distinguished:

• This color is strictly individual, it is extremely rare to find two black and white kittens with the same arrangement of spots or stains;
• based on the first feature, the breeding of perfectly symmetrically colored black and white cats is a particular difficulty, because of this the price of breeds with symmetrical black and white patterns on the wool is quite high;
• usually one color of the two dominates in color, while the spots or individual areas of the cat's body are colored in a different color, contrasting with the first;
• Black-and-white breeds are interesting because different pigments can be present not only in wool, but also on pads, some of which can be colored pink, and some - black;
• Most often, kittens with black and white colors have eyes with a green iris, like most black cats; but white breeds are peculiar to blue eyes, therefore such a phenomenon as heterochromia can occur among two-colored representatives - on the half of the muzzle that is colored dark, the eye has a green tone, and on the white part of the muzzle - the eye is blue.

It is possible to distinguish certain types of black and white color, characteristic of the domestic representatives of the cat family.

• Van - the type of color, which is characterized by the dominance of white. It covers most of the body of the animal. Black wool can completely cover the tail, while on the face in the area above the eyes or near the ears there may be some black spots. A small dark spot may also be present on the side or on the paw of the animal, in the shoulder area. Similarly colored cats are very popular exhibitors.

• Animals with a two-color bicolor color The body is characterized by black wool. Light spots may be located on the breast, lower part of the paws, chin. Basically it is one or several spots of not very large sizes. Some kittens' breasts are colored to look like a tuxedo with a tie. There are a number of breeds, among which the standard colors bicolor does not stand out - Siamese, Thai, Abyssinian and savanna.

• Particularly unusual is the type of black and white color called harlequin. The main color of cats with similar colors is white, against which black spots of various shapes can be randomly located.Round and oval designs look original, but they can also have a more blurry shape or even stripes. There are no black spots inside. In harlequin-colored cats, spots sometimes resemble specific figures, for example, a heart, some symbols, or even fruit. As an option for harlequin-type colors, you can see black spots located on the cat's head, including the eye and ear areas and several spots on the back. They can be arranged in a row, from head to tail, creating a very peculiar pattern on a white background. Instead of several spots, a similar cat may have only one spot, which has a horizontal shape.

The above varieties of black and white are the main colors. But, in addition to them, they also distinguish such an option as the cloak type. In a cat with this coat color, black is located in the upper part of the body and head, resembling a cloak with a hood. A funny color is the type of "Cap and Saddle."

There is a more detailed classification in which the following are distinguished. color varieties of black and white cats:

• the first type is almost entirely black - there are no clearly visible spots or light patches on it, but at the same time, uneven inters of light hairs can be noticed on its hair;

• the second type - animals with patterns like "medallions", these cats are characterized by small white areas on a black background - in the chest, neck or lower part of the paws;

• the third type of contrasting color - marking on the neck; the white area is on the front of the animal's neck, like a medallion, has clear contours and a rather large size;

• the fourth type is the presence of a spot that passes from the chin to the neck;

• the fifth type of contrasting color implies a uniform light area in the area starting from the chin to cover the entire lower torso of the cat; white tone has chest, belly, all four paws;

• in the sixth type, the entire lower, and also in some places, lateral part of the body is painted white; black is present in the form of spots in the neck, back and tail, but the spots are rather large;

• The next type is distinguished by the fact that the ratio of white to black greatly outweighs the benefit of the first tone.; the entire lower and side parts of the body are painted light, only small spots are present on the back, and the tail can be painted black;

• the eighth type of color is called residual black - on a white background there are only a few small spots in the area of ​​the tail and head;

• dominant white - The latter type, which can be a carrier of black pigment only at the genetic level.

The character of the cat family is very often directly associated with the peculiar color of their fur. According to the English, black and white cats have an ideal temperament, since they combine the persistent, strong-willed character of black individuals and the soft features of the whites' behavior. Even in a small kitten, one can already notice a number of temperament manifestations characteristic of two-colored cats, namely:

• in stressful situations, these animals demonstrate a special stability of character;
• similar cats are distinguished by the ability to calmly dispense with communication with a person;
• assertiveness of these animals is a feature characteristic of black-haired cats;
• two-colored pets show particular intelligence;
• the ability to feel the mood of the owner allows a person to feel a true friend in the face of such a pet;
• black and white cats are not inclined to avenge their owners for anything and do not hold a grudge against a person for a long time;
• these animals as a whole can be called obedient, they are characterized by ease of communication;
• one can notice from their side a special love for games;
• if such a cat faces a choice between achieving satisfaction of needs at any cost and preserving its dignity, being rather proud by nature, it chooses to preserve its dignity;
• the calm nature of such pets will not give the owners extra trouble and will create a favorable atmosphere in the house.

Until 1969, black and white felines were often classified as culling, this color was not recognized as an independent species. But when for the first time these cats were presented at exhibitions, they were liked by many and received wide popularity among breeders. A similar coat color can often be found in mongrel cats, but, in addition to this, there are pedigreed specimens, which are characterized by such color.

British two-color cats have a special nobility and article. Black and white representatives of the breed may have colors of the above types - bicolor, van and harlequin. And also among these smiling handsome men it is possible to meet cats with a color mitted. Its special feature is the presence of a strip of white. It runs from the chin area through the chest and abdomen to the groin area. On the paws of a cat with a similar color, you can sometimes see "socks" or "socks" in white.

The behavior of the British favorites is very self-sufficient and proud. They do not tolerate excessive tactile contacts and active human intervention in the personal space. A certain estrangement contrasts in them with the tides of affection and tenderness, during which the pets usually express their feelings towards the owner.

Among oriental cats, black and white is quite common. The ratio of colors, in addition to the three common, may be different. There are black representatives with a very small number of white areas on the body, and the ratio of two colors can be equal. Oriental breed bicolors combine a unique personality with a non-standard appearance.

In general, black and white, like any other representatives of this lop-eared breed, are very sociable animals. They love not only to play, but also to communicate with the owner, making a variety of sounds. Oriental cats appreciate attention and love to be in the center of events.

For the Angora cat, painted in a similar combination of colors, especially expressive eyes are characteristic. Initially, the color of this breed is white, but subsequently a contrasting variety was developed. In Angora color, you can see a white area in the area from the forehead and below the inverted V-shaped. And also for representatives of the breed is characterized by a white belly and breast.

Fluffy black and white Persians usually have a good-natured look and look pretty cute. This look they acquire due to the color of the type of harlequin. This breed is characterized by a small number of black spots of a cold saturated shade bordering a black. The inclusion of light hairs on black spots is not considered a good sign, as is the presence of black-tipped vibrissae.

The Siberian fluffy cat is different in that it is usually possible to see a pattern of a large number of spots on its body, but the color of the animal can be presented in any of three variations. The shape of the spots is very clear, and their shape does not correspond to each other. In black and white Siberian cats, the iris is usually colored in shades of yellow or green.

The Japanese bobtail is a breed, representatives of which are very often colored in black and white. About half of all cats of a given breed have one of three types of combinations of these two colors in their wool. In Kurilian bobtails with longer hairs, this contrast in the fur is less frequent, but still occurs. Those animals whose color belongs to a species of van do not have black spots in the back area, but their short tail should be dark. In harlequin color, a dark color in a given breed should occupy no more than one-sixth of the body, and spots should be present in the area of ​​the front legs, head or back. In the color of the Kuril bicolors on the chin and lower part of the muzzle, the white area should form a symmetrical outline of the letter V upside down, and also the presence of a white “collar” for these cats.

Among the now very popular large maine coons, there are also representatives with black and white color, mainly of the bicolor type, most of the body of which is covered with a dark color, including the ears and muzzle.

Fluffy representatives of the feline family belonging to the Neva Masquerade breed can be traced a certain asymmetry in their black and white color. It was she who became the "highlight" of these cats.

In Sphynx, the contrast pigment is characteristic not only for the hairs, but also for the skin, so black and white cats of this breed have a unique color of the skin. In bicolors of this breed, the entire tail is often black and at least one ear is completely, a symmetrical dark spot can also be seen on the crown. For the color of the type of van in sphinxes is also characterized by a black spot on the crown, as a rule, setting behind the ear area.

There is such a breed of cats as a Turkish van. From the name you can understand what type of black and white color is typical for them. Animal hair is semi-long and, in combination with a rather rare contrasting ensemble for them, it looks very aesthetic. Most of the body is light, while small areas of the head, as well as the tail, can be painted black.

Cornish Rex with their long limbs, curly hair and a rather unusual appearance in general can also be represented in a two-color incarnation. In addition to the three standard combinations, such cats can also have a color called tuxedo. The rib cage, all the paws, as well as the belly of these pets are painted in a light tone, while the back, shoulders, sides and upper part of the head are distinguished by dark hair.

Munchkin is a special breed of feline, different from the congeners with short legs and a long body. In the black-and-white incarnation, such cats look quite cute, since often among their colouration there are such white areas as collar, tie, socks on their paws or funny spots on the face. The nature of such pets is very balanced, they are calm, independent, not without independence.

Among the rules of care there are no specific exceptions for animals with a black and white color. Most of them need regular health checks, vitamins, natural nutrition and wool care, especially when it comes to breeds with medium or long hair. However, for representatives with a two-tone color there is a special love for water procedures and combing "hair".

The story of the cats, see the following video.