Page 250 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

248 GL O S S AR Y

GLOSSARY

Albinism: Lack of the pigment that gives Chocolate: Pale to medium-brown GCCF: The Governing Council of the Cat
color to skin, hair, and eyes. In cats true coat color. Fancy, the leading organization for the
albinism is very rare, but partial albinism registration of cats in the UK.
gives rise to pointed coat patterns, as in Chromosome: Threadlike structure
the Siamese, and color variations such within a cell nucleus, containing genes Gene pool: The complete collection of
as silver tabby. arranged along a strand of DNA. Cats genes within an interbreeding population.
have 38 chromosomes arranged in 19
Almond-shaped eyes: Oval eyes with corresponding pairs. (Humans have 46, Ghost markings: Faint tabby markings on
flattened corners, seen in breeds such arranged in 23 pairs.) the coat of a solid-colored cat that show
as the Abyssinian and Siamese. up in certain lights.
Classic tabby: see Tabby
Awn hairs: Slightly longer bristly hairs Ground color: Background color
that, together with the soft down hairs, Cobby: Compact, muscular, heavy- in tabbies; there are many variants:
constitute the undercoat. boned body type, seen in breeds such brown, red, and silver are among the
as the Persian. most common.
Bicolor: Coat pattern combining white with
another color. Colorpoint: see Pointed Guard hairs: Longer, tapering hairs
that form a cat’s topcoat and provide
Blotched tabby: Alternative term for Crossbreed: see Random-bred weatherproofing.
Classic Tabby.
Curled ears: Ears that curve backward, as Hybrid: Offspring of two different species:
Blue: Light to medium-gray coat color, in the American Curl. for example the Bengal, which is a cross
a diluted form of black. Blue-only cat between the domestic cat (Felis catus) and
breeds include the Russian Blue, Korat, Diluted/dilution: Paler version of a the Asian leopard (Felis bengalensis).
and Chartreux. color caused by the dilution gene,
for example when black becomes blue Leather: Hairless area at the end of
Bracelets: Dark horizontal bands on and red becomes cream. the nose. Color varies according to coat
the legs of a tabby cat. color and is defined in the breed standards
Domestic cat: Any member of for pedigree cats.
Break: see Stop Felis catus, pedigree or mixed breed.
Also commonly known as a house cat. Lilac: Warm pink-gray color, a diluted form
Breeches: In longhaired cats, extra-long of brown.
hair on the upper back part of the hindlegs. Dominant: Describes a gene inherited
from one parent that overrides the effect “M” mark: Typical “M”-shaped mark on
Breed standard: Detailed description of a paired recessive gene inherited from the forehead of tabby cats; also known as
produced by a cat registry that defines the other parent. For example, the gene a frown mark.
the required standards for a pedigree for a tabby coat is dominant.
cat’s conformation, coat, and color. Mackerel tabby: see Tabby
Down: Short, soft, fine hairs that form
Calico: Tortie and white patterning. an undercoat in some breeds. Marbled: Variation of the Classic Tabby,
mostly seen in wildcat hybrids such as
Cameo: Red, or its diluted form cream, Double coat: Fur consisting of a thick, soft the Bengal.
where white covers two-thirds of the undercoat covered by a protective topcoat
hair shaft. of longer guard hairs. Mascara lines: Dark lines running from
the outer corners of the eyes, or encircling
Carnivore: Meat-eating animal. Feathering: Longer hair on areas such the eyes.
as legs, feet, and tail.
Cat fancier: Enthusiast for breeding Mask: Dark coloration on the face, usually
and showing purebred cats. Feral: Describing a domesticated species around the muzzle and eyes.
that has reverted to a wild state.
Cat registry: Organization that sets Mitted: Color pattern in which the paws
breed standards and registers the FIFe: Fédération Internationale Féline, are white. Also called mittens or socks.
pedigrees of cats. the leading European federation of
cat registries. Moggie: Informal term for a non-
CFA: The Cat Fanciers’ Association, the pedigree cat.
world’s largest registry of pedigree cats, Folded ears: Ears that fold forward
based in the US. and down, seen in breeds such as the Mutation: Change in a cell’s DNA, often
Scottish Fold. arising by chance; effects of genetic