9 Cat Breeds Black And White: Why is a cat black and white?

Divinities with fur as dark as they are light, cat breeds black and white are as fantastical as they are adorable. As we will see later, there is not, strictly speaking, a "black and white cat breed" because the two-tone coat of a cat is due to the action of the S gene. Black and white cats are, therefore, rarities of nature, and it is possible to find very many breeds of cats capable of giving birth to individuals of black and white color.

In the rest of our article, we will give you as much information as possible about these 9 black and white cat breeds!

Cat Breeds Black And White: Why is a cat black and white?

A black and white cat is a cat that usually has white on the belly, legs, and chest and another color, in our case, black, on the head and tail.

In cat breeds black and white, there are three patterns of distribution of the two very common colors:

Van: in this type of two-tone dress, only the ears, the top of the skull, and the ears are colored.

Two-tone: half of the body is white, and the other is black.

Harlequin: approximately less than half of the body is black, and the rest is white.

Bicolor Cat Genetics

A cat, for it to be black and white, must have a gene called "gene S" because it is the latter that is responsible for the appearance of white spotting. However, the appearance of a bicolor cat is rarely predictable because the action of this "S gene" can be either inhibited or reinforced by the actions of polygenes.

Now that you know the different types of fur patterns that exist in cats and that you have a little idea of ​​how bicolor cat genetics work.

Maine Coon

Do we need to introduce the famous Maine Coon? Yes? Good, very good.

The Maine Coon, according to legend, would be the fruit of the cross between a raccoon and a cat (hence its name), but it is only a legend because, of course, cats and raccoons cannot reproduce. The Maine Coon is the oldest cat in the United States and is said to have originated on the shores of Maine from the crossing of native cats with European Angoras.

With a record weight of more than 14 kilos and a length of 121.9 cm, the Maine Coon is the giant cat in the world; he is also a cat that loves water.

Cornish Rex

"Adorable" is how Cornish Rex’s guardians would define the behavior of this gorgeous black and white cat breed. It was in 1950 that a curious kitten was born, which was baptized Kallibunker by his guardians. This kitten was very strange because he stood out for its magnificent wavy fur.

This cat is medium to small in size; he has a slender, long body and a particularly arched back. This cat has a long head and a triangular shape, and his jaw is thin. He has magnificent oval eyes which are characterized by a penetrating gaze of color in keeping with those of his coat.

Munchkin

The Munchkin is one of the most popular cat breeds black and white in the world because of its very special physical appearance; indeed, had you ever seen a black and white cat with such short legs? This particularly affectionate, social, and active cat was born in the early 1940s in England but unfortunately disappeared during the Second World War and it was not until the 1980s in Rayville, Louisiana, that this breed was rediscovered. It was in 1994 that she was recognized by the International Cat Association (TICA).

Except for the size of its paws, the Munchkin looks just like other cats. The males weigh between 3 and 5 kilos and the females between 2 and 4 kilos, which is also why he is considered a breed of cat that stays small.

Best Products for Cat Breeds Black And White

Manx

Let's continue our list of cat breeds in black and white by looking at another fantastic two-tone cat: the Manx. Do you know this cat? This cat stands out in particular for his lack of a tail, and it has conquered the hearts of humans for his balanced nature and his character.

The Manx is a cat from the Isle of Man, a small island between Ireland and Great Britain. According to a biblical legend, the Manx would not have a tail because Noah, closing the door of the ark, would have jammed it and severed it by accident. More seriously, we place the origin of the Manx at the time of the Spanish galleons, which transported cats to fight against the invasions of rats and mice.

Depending on the type of tail of this cat, there are 5 types of tails:

Rumpy: they don't have a tail

Rumpy riser: mini tail which is only an elongation of the sacred bone.

Stumpy: cm vestigial tail.

Longy: normal tail, but shorter.

Tailed: normal-sized tail.

Exotic Shorthair

Sweetness, calm, and kindness, here are three adjectives that we could use to describe this magnificent black and white cat! Do you know the Exotic Shorthair?

We are dealing with a small cat that weighs between 3 and 5 kilos and has a life expectancy of between 15 and 18 years. This cat was born in the 1970s from the cross between a Persian, an American Shorthair, and a British Shorthair.

Like his ancestor, the Persian, the Exotic Shorthair has a flattened face, a broad skull, a short nose, and eyes of a pure color that will match his coat.

Sacred Cat of Burma: Birman Cat

Also known as the Birman, the Sacred Birman is one of the cat breeds black and white that looks like a mix between a Persian and a Siamese. This cat is ideal for small families because he gets along very well with the little ones. This cat weighs between 3 and 5 kilos and has a life expectancy of 10 and 15 years.

The sacred of Burma has legendary origins; according to author Marcelle Adam, in a temple dedicated to a goddess with a body of gold and eyes of sapphire, there was a priest who had a cat called Sinh. The priest was killed, the cat jumped on his face while looking at the goddess, his eyes became sapphire, his coat golden, and his paws remained white as the priest's hair was. According to another version, the Burmese arrived in the United States in 1920, but let's admit that the first version has more charm, right? 

He is a cat with a calm, balanced, and very social character; absolutely do not hesitate to adopt this magnificent white and black cat!

 

Persian

We are sure you know this magnificent one of cat breed black and white, isn't it? The Persian is recognizable among a thousand for its broad and flattened head and for its fur which is as long as it is abundant. This cat has large expressive eyes and small round ears; he is a medium/large sized cat with a body that we could describe as compact and is supported by powerful legs.

This cat is quiet and will love spending long hours lounging around on your couch. It is the quintessence of the domestic cat, and he has very few behaviors inherited from its wild cat ancestors.

Siberian

With abundant fur and a look that touches your soul, the Siberian is a hugely popular black and white cat around the world. The Siberian cat belongs to the so-called "forest cats," and in the wild, it lives in the forests of Russia and Ukraine.

Although it was only mentioned in an official document in 1871, Siberian is one of the oldest breeds of cats in the world, and it seems that it has been treading our soil for over a thousand years. However, since pet ownership was prohibited in Soviet Russia, it was only in the 90s that this cat gained popularity. In addition to his many qualities, he is also a hypoallergenic cat!

 

Alley Cat

By alley cat, we refer to all crossbred cats with no specific breed. We believe in the importance of fostering the adoption and acceptance of ALL cats out there. If you are looking for cat breeds black and white, an alley cat is an ideal option, and we recommend that you approach the nearest SPA to ask them if they do not have a black and white cat in adoption!