Spotting the Difference: True Breeds vs. Tabby Patterns
Some cat breeds are known for their striking spots and stripes, while many other cats display these patterns simply because of the common tabby gene.
The Bengal is a true spotted breed that traces part of its lineage to the Asian leopard cat. Its coat features bold spots and rosettes that mimic wild cats, a hybrid line documented by TICA. The Ocicat was created in the 1960s by breeding Abyssinian, Siamese, and American Shorthair cats to achieve a wild-looking spotted coat without any wild genes; both CFA and TICA recognize it as a distinct breed. The Egyptian Mau is the only naturally spotted domestic breed, with spots that appear on both fur and skin and vary uniquely between individuals.
Tabby is a pattern, not a breed, caused by the agouti gene and found in almost every breed and many mixed-breed cats. Four tabby patterns are recognized: classic, mackerel, spotted, and ticked. The Toyger is a breed bred specifically for true genetic striping to resemble a tiger. Most other striped cats, purebred or not, show the tabby gene’s mackerel or classic pattern rather than a breed-specific trait.
A cat with spots is either a spotted tabby or a member of a true spotted breed such as the Egyptian Mau, Ocicat, Bengal, or Savannah. The easiest way to tell the difference is pedigree: a spotted tabby can be any breed or mixed breed, while the breeds above are bred specifically for consistent spotting.
Key takeaways
- Bengals, Ocicats, and Egyptian Maus are true spotted breeds with distinct breeding histories.
- Tabby is a genetic pattern, not a breed, and appears in many cats.
- Toygers were bred for true striping to resemble a tiger.
- Spotting in a cat can be identified by pedigree rather than appearance alone.
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Originally reported by iHeartCats. Read the full article.
Cover photo by Blanco Studio via Pexels.
