What Breed Is My Tuxedo Cat? 9 Common Types (With Pictures)
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If you have a tuxedo cat or have seen one around town with black and white markings resembling a fancy tuxedo, you may wonder what breed they are. The truth is that they can be one of several tuxedo cat breeds since this pattern is fairly common for cats, but we'll take a look at the cats likely to have the tuxedo pattern to help you narrow it down.
The 9 Tuxedo Cat Breeds
The tuxedo coat is a bi-color pattern in cats that resembles a tuxedo. It's very common and can be found in short and longhair cats. It's just as likely to be seen on a female as a male.
Let's look at several cat breeds that have tuxedo coats.
1. Tuxedo Domestic Shorthair Cat
The Domestic Shorthair is the mutt of the cat world, and the title refers to any cat that doesn't have pedigree papers. They can be a mix of several breeds and take on any appearance. The tuxedo coat is prevalent in both long-haired and short-haired domestic cats.
2. American Curl Tuxedo Cat
The American Curl is a purebred, easily identified by their curled back ears that give them a happily surprised expression. The American Curl is affectionate and people-oriented and is available as a long-haired tuxedo cat or in short-haired varieties. They have no undercoat and do very little shedding.
3. American Shorthair Tuxedo Cat
The American Shorthair was brought to America by English settlers who used them to protect their grain from mice. It was one of the first five breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1966. American Shorthair cats are low-maintenance and have long lifespans. You can find these cats with a tuxedo coat as well as several other patterns and colors.
4. British Shorthair Tuxedo Cat
The British Shorthair has a distinctively stocky body and dense coat. They have no undercoat, and males are noticeably larger than females. British Blue is the most common color for the breed, but you can also find them in various colors and patterns, including tuxedo.
5. Exotic Shorthair Tuxedo Cat
The Exotic Shorthair is the shorthaired version of the Persian cat. They're like the Persian cat in many ways, including temperament, but are slightly more active. They have a large oval head, small, rounded ears, and a short neck. Their coat is available in several colors and patterns, including tuxedo.
6. Maine Coon Tuxedo Cat
The Maine Coon is the largest domesticated cat and one of the oldest North American breeds; it can reach 18 pounds with a length of 38 inches. They have a reputation for playfulness and a gentle personality. Like other breeds, the long coat is available in several colors and patterns, including tuxedo. If you're looking for a fluffy tuxedo cat, this breed may be the one for you.
7. Norwegian Forest Tuxedo Cat
The Norwegian Forest Cat is another long-haired purebred. They originated in northern Europe and are well adapted to the cold. They're similar in size to the Maine Coone and have a long life span of 14 to 16 years. The tuxedo coat is popular in this breed, but the Norwegian is also available in several other colors and patterns.
8. Persian Tuxedo Cat
The Persian Cat is a purebred domestic cat that is very similar to the Exotic Shorthair we discussed earlier but with long hair. Being a long-haired tuxedo cat, this breed will require more grooming and maintenance to keep their tuxedo pattern pristine and defined. Documented evidence points to Persian cats as far back as the early 1600s, and they're responsible for creating several other species, including the Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, and the Chinchilla.
Like the other cats on this list, you can find them with the tuxedo coat and many patterns and colors.
9. Scottish Fold Tuxedo Cat
The Scottish Fold is a short-haired cat with ears that bend forward. They're medium-sized cats with a round body and heads, and they adjust well to living with other animals. They're often solid-colored but can take on the tuxedo coat and several other patterns.
Little Known Facts About Tuxedo Cat Breeds
- 70% of the cats depicted in Egyptian tombs were tuxedo cat breeds.
- Tuxedo cats develop into adults faster than other cats.
- Shakespeare and Beethoven had tuxedo cats.
- Looney Tunes' Sylvester the cat was a tuxedo cat breed, as was The Cat in the Hat from Dr. Suess.
- A tuxedo cat is the only cat known to reach the top of Mount Everest.
Conclusion
Since there isn't technically a tuxedo cat breed and this color pattern can be found in many different cats, there's a good chance you can acquire one with little effort. If you were hoping to find out what breed your current cat is, you could compare them to one of the breeds on this list. If not, chances are good you have a mixed breed with the physical appearance of a cat that usually doesn't have the tuxedo pattern, like a Siamese cat. We hope you have enjoyed our look into this popular pattern and have figured out what kind of cat you have or want.
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Featured Image Credit: Nils Jacobi, Shutterstock
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Christian started writing for a local newspaper as a teenager, and he's been involved in the publishing industry for most of his adult life. Combining his love of writing with a passion for animals, he is currently the Director of Editorial at Pangolia and the Editor-in-Chief at Catster.
Christian lives in the Philippines with his wife, son, and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
