Page 79 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

SHOR THAIRS 77

BRITISH SHORTHAIR—TORTIE

MINGLED COLORS GIVE THIS CAT’S COAT AN UNUSUAL MARBLED APPEARANCE

Place of origin UK In a tortoiseshell (tortie), two coat colors are softly
Date of origin 1800s blended. There are many variations, but the most common
Breed registries CFA, FIFe, is black mixed with red—the first tortie color to be developed
GCCF, TICA
in British Shorthairs. Blue-cream tortoiseshell, in which black
Weight range 9–18lb (4–8kg)
is replaced by blue and red by cream, is another of the
Grooming
older colors, recognized since the 1950s. In the Calico
(known as Tortie and White in the UK) the colors are
Colors and patterns more clearly defined as patches. For genetic reasons,
Blue-cream, chocolate, lilac,
or black tortoiseshell (with torties are nearly always female
white patches in the calico). and the few males are sterile.
Deep orange
eyes

White markings
cover a third Slight dip
of the body in nose
Ears broad
at base
White paws

Areas of tortie
patterning Dense Short, level back
clearly defined tortie coat

Red and black
color areas
intermingle evenly

Broad
chest

Rounded paws