Meet the Most Popular Calico Cat Breeds You Can Own

With their colorful splotches of fur, calicos are some of the most easily recognized cats. However, calico is not a breed, but rather a color pattern. Any breed of domestic cat with a tri-color coat can be considered calico. They typically have solid patches of orange, black, and white, although dilute calicos can have paler colors such as buff, gray, and white. Although calico cats are not uncommon, their color pattern is considered rarer than many others. Some experts note that only one in 1,000 cats is calico. Find out how these cats get their unique coloring and discover some of the most common cat breeds to exhibit the calico pattern.

The Genetics Behind Calico Cats

Genetics in felines works similarly to genetics in humans. A female cat (XX) receives one X chromosome from her mother and one from her father. Male cats (XY) receive an X chromosome from their mother and a Y chromosome from their father. The X chromosome determines fur color. However, there are two different forms, or alleles, in calico cats — one for black fur and one for orange fur. Therefore, a calico cat must inherit both alleles, one from the X chromosome of each parent. Dilution is a recessive trait. Dilution is a recessive trait, so a dilute calico must inherit two copies of the dilute allele to display the softer color palette

If two X chromosomes are present, the embryo will develop into a female. This is why nearly all calico cats are female. A typical male (XY) only receives one X chromosome, so he cannot have both black and orange fur. Male calicos (XXY) with two X chromosomes do exist, but they are rare. According to Dr. Bruce Kornreich of the Cornell Feline Health Center, one out of every 3,000 calico cats is male. However, they are nearly always sterile due to genetic anomalies.

What Are Tortoiseshell Cats?

Calicos should not be confused with tortoiseshell cats, although both patterns are sex-linked traits usually only found in females. Tortoiseshell cats have brindled coats and little to no white fur. White fur in calicos is caused by a genetic mutation called piebaldism, which results in white fur in areas where pigment-producing cells are absent. These genetic processes can result in both calico and tortoiseshell patterns in the same cat. This combination is sometimes called “tortoiseshell and white” or “tortico,” but these cats are classified as calico because of the presence of white fur. Keep reading to see some of these amazing calico colors and patterns.

1. American Shorthair

The American shorthair cat is a medium to large cat with a full-cheeked face, a muscular body, and a short, thick coat. These cats are often called “working cats,” as they came to North America with early settlers on ships that kept cats to control vermin. As a result, they are independent and have strong hunting instincts, but they are also intelligent, quiet, and affectionate. According to breed standards, calico American Shorthairs should have white fur with distinct patches of black and orange. However, tabby markings are allowed in the orange patches. White fur should also be predominant on their underparts.

2. British Shorthair

British shorthairs are medium to large-sized cats. They have round faces, sturdy bodies, and short, dense fur with the most hairs per square inch of any cat breed. British shorthairs are believed to be descendants of cats brought to England by the Romans. These cats are calm and quiet, but friendly. Breed standards specify that dilute calico markings must be clear and well-defined, with unbrindled patches of gray and buff (also referred to as blue and cream). Tabby markings are allowed in the buff-colored patches. Calicos should have a white muzzle, chest, underside, legs, and feet. A white blaze, which is a strip of white fur running from the forehead down to the nose, is also preferred.

3. Japanese Bobtail

Japanese bobtails are medium-sized cats with lean but muscular builds, relatively broad muzzles, and wide-set ears that seem to tilt forward. They can be shorthaired or longhaired. Their signature bobtail has a fluffy, pom-pom-like appearance. Japanese bobtails are found in Japanese artwork dating back to the Middle Ages. They are believed to have been brought to Japan from Korea as early as the 6th century. These cats are known to be playful, sociable, agile, and vocal. Calico patterns are popular, and breed standards allow for black, orange, and white in any combination. Tabby markings of any kind are also allowed in the orange patches.

4. Maine Coon

Maine coons are large cats, with some males reaching upwards of 20 pounds. They have solid, sturdy bodies, square muzzles, and large tufted ears. Their fur is heavy and shaggy but also smooth. Maine coons have bushy, ringed tails similar to those of raccoons, which is how they got the “coon” part of their name. They are thought to have originated from the ships’ cats that landed in New England with early settlers. These cats are gentle, intelligent, and sociable. Breed standards for calicos prefer white to be predominant on the underparts, with unbrindled patches of black and orange.

5. Persian

Persian cats have broad, flat faces with large, round eyes and short ears. They are medium- to large-sized cats with stocky, muscular bodies and short legs. Persians also have long, full coats and short, fluffy tails. They are believed to be one of the oldest cat breeds, thought to be exported from Persia to Western Europe in the 17th century. However, some sources state that their depictions can be seen in Egyptian hieroglyphs from around 1600 BCE. Sweet and affectionate, Persians are even-tempered and devoted companions. Breed standards for calicos state a preference for white muzzles, chests, undersides, legs, and feet. Dilute calicos must also have distinct, unbrindled grey and buff-colored patches.

6. Cornish Rex

The Cornish Rex is a small- to medium-sized cat with a slim, elegant build. They have high cheekbones, slightly narrow, rounded muzzles, and large ears set high on their heads. They have rounded, padded bodies with strong legs. The breed originated from a genetic mutation discovered in Cornwall, England, in 1950. Cornish Rexes are intelligent, active, and affectionate, and are said to retain their kitten-like enthusiasm throughout adulthood. Calico standards for this breed require unbrindled patches of black and orange, with tabby markings allowed in the orange patches. Judges also prefer white fur on the chest, undersides, feet, and legs.

7. Scottish Fold

The Scottish fold is a medium-sized cat with a round head, large, round eyes, and folded ears that lie close to the head. They have rounded, padded bodies with strong legs. There are divisions for shorthair and longhair cats, as well as for cats with straight ears. The first Scottish fold was discovered in 1961 by a shepherd in the Tayside Region of eastern Scotland. They are friendly and loving cats with even temperaments, but they can be reserved around strangers. According to breed standards, dilute calico Scottish Folds should be white with unbrindled gray and buff patches. White fur should also be predominant on their underparts.

8. Norwegian Forest Cat

Norwegian forest cats are typically large cats with sturdy bodies. They have triangular heads with large, almond-shaped eyes and ears with fur growing inside the ear canal. They also have thick double coats, a ruff around the neck and chest, and a long, bushy tail. In Norse mythology, two enormous Norwegian forest cats were said to pull Freya’s chariot. Their smaller cousins are believed to have left the forest to find work as farm cats around 4,000 years ago. These cats are smart and independent, but they enjoy family life and get along well with other animals. Calicos must be white with unbrindled patches of black and orange. The standards also note a preference for white muzzles, chests, undersides, legs, and feet.