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 different breeds, a combination of black and white colors in different proportions is characteristic. Many breeders believe that black-and-white pets have a special behavior pattern, and also due to the similar color, many kittens acquire a very original appearance. Before making a black and white four-legged friend, it will be useful to find out whether such animals really have a special disposition, what types of two-tone color exist, what are the features of caring for such cats. All these issues will be discussed in detail in this article.

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

• this color is purely individual, it is extremely rare to meet two black and white kittens with the same spots or stains;
• on the basis of the first feature, breeding perfectly symmetrically colored black and white cats is particularly difficult, because of this the price of breeds with symmetrical black and white patterns on wool is quite high;
• usually one of the two colors dominates the color, while spots or individual areas of the cat's body are painted in a different color, contrasting to the first;
• black and white breeds are interesting in that different pigments can be present not only in the wool, but also on the paw pads, some of which can be painted in pink and some in black;
• most often kittens with black and white color have eyes with a green iris, like most black cats; but white breeds have blue eyes; therefore, among two-colored representatives, there may occur such a phenomenon as heterochromia - on the half of the muzzle that is colored in 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 domestic representatives of the cat family.

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

• Animal with two-tone bicolor color black body dominance is characteristic. Light spots can be located on the chest, lower paws, chin. Basically it happens one or several spots of not very large sizes. The chest of some kittens is painted so that it looks like a tuxedo with a tie. There are a number of breeds, among the standard colors of which bicolor does not stand out - Siamese, Thai, Abyssinian and savannah.

• Particularly unusual is the type of black and white color called harlequin. The main color of the fur of cats with a similar color is white, against which black spots of various shapes can be randomly arranged. Round and oval patterns look original, but they can also have a more vague shape or even stripes. There are no white spots inside the black spots. In cats with harlequin color, the spots sometimes resemble specific shapes, for example, a heart, any symbols, or even fruits. As a harlequin type of color, you can see black spots located on the cat's head, including the eyes and ears 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, such a cat may have only one spot that has a horizontal shape.

The above black and white varieties are the main ones. But, in addition to them, they also distinguish such an option as a raincoat type. In a cat with this coat color, black is located in the upper part of the body and head, resembling the outline of 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 varieties of colors of black and white cats:

• the first type is almost completely black - on it there are no clearly visible spots or light areas, but at the same time uneven interspersing of light hairs can be noticed on its wool;

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

• the third type of contrasting color is a mark 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 passing from the chin to the neck;

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

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

• the next type is characterized in that the ratio of white and black greatly outweighs in favor 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 also 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 tail and head;

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

The nature of the cat family is often often directly associated with the color feature of their coat. According to the British, black and white cats have the perfect temperament, because they combine the strong, strong-willed nature of black individuals and the soft features of white’s behavior. Even in a small kitten, one can already notice a number of manifestations of temperament characteristic of two-color cats, namely:

• in stressful situations, these animals demonstrate a special character stability;
• such cats are distinguished by the ability to calmly do without communicating with a person;
• the assertiveness of these animals is a trait characteristic of black-haired cats;
• two-tone pets are particularly smart;
• the ability to feel the mood of the owner allows a person to feel a real friend in the face of such a pet;
• black and white cats are not inclined to avenge the 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;
• you can notice on their part a special love for games;
• if such a cat is confronted with the choice of satisfying needs at all costs and maintaining dignity, she, being quite proud of nature, chooses in favor of maintaining dignity;
• the calm nature of such pets will not cause the owners any extra trouble and create a favorable atmosphere in the house.

Until 1969, black and white representatives of the cat family 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, many people liked them and gained wide popularity among breeders. A similar coat color can often be found in outbred cats, but besides this, there are also thoroughbred individuals for which such a color is characteristic.

British two-tone cats have a special nobility and article. Black and white representatives of the breed can have colors of the above types - bicolor, van and harlequin. And also among these smiling handsome men you can find cats with a mitt color. Its special feature is the presence of a strip of white. It runs from the chin area through the chest and abdomen to the inguinal zone. On the paws of a cat with a similar color, sometimes you can see “socks” or “socks” of white color.

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

Among oriental cats, black and white is quite common.The color ratio, in addition to the three common ones, can 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 like to not only play, but also communicate with the owner, making a variety of sounds. Oriental cats value attention and love to be in the center of events.

Especially expressive eyes are characteristic for an Angora cat painted in such a combination of colors. Initially, the color of this breed is white, but subsequently a contrasting variety was also developed. In the color of the Angora, you can notice 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 Persians in black and white usually have a good disposition and look pretty cute. They acquire this appearance due to the harlequin type of color. This breed is characterized by a small number of black spots of a cold saturated hue, bordering on a black one. The inclusion of light hairs on black spots is not considered a good sign, as is the presence of black vibrissae.

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

Japanese bobtail is a breed whose representatives are very often painted in black and white. About half of all cats of this breed have one of three types of combination of these two colors in their coat. In Kurilian bobtail with a longer coat, this contrast in the coat is less common, but it still occurs. Those animals whose color belongs to the van species do not have black spots in the back, but their short tail should be dark. In harlequin, the dark color in this breed should occupy no more than one sixth of the body, while 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 in an inverted form, and the presence of a white “collar” is typical for these cats.

Among the large Maine Coons so popular at present, there are also representatives with black and white color, mainly related to the bicolor type, most of which is covered in dark color, including ears and muzzle.

Fluffy representatives of the cat family, belonging to the Neva masquerade breed, show a certain asymmetry in their black and white color. It was she who became the "highlight" of these cats.

In Canadian sphinxes, contrasting pigment is characteristic not only for hairs, but also for the skin, so black and white cats of this breed have a unique skin color. In bicolors of this breed, the entire tail is often colored black and at least one ear is completely, a symmetrical dark spot can also be seen on the crown. The sphinx-like van color is also characterized by a black spot on the crown, usually extending beyond the ear region.

There is such a breed of cats as the Turkish van. From the name you can understand what type of black and white color is characteristic of them. Animal hair is semi-long and, in combination with a rather rare contrasting ensemble, looks very aesthetically pleasing. 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 generally quite unusual appearance can also be represented in a two-color incarnation. In addition to the three standard combinations, such cats can also have a color called a tuxedo. The chest, all 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 cat breed, distinguished from relatives by short paws and a long body. In a black and white incarnation, such cats look very cute, because often among their colors there are such white areas as a “collar”, “tie”, “socks” on the paws or funny spots on the face. The nature of these pets is very balanced, they are calm, independent, not without independence.

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

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