Tabby Persians

CLASSIC TABBY PATTERN: markings dense, clearly defined, and broad. Legs evenly barred with bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail evenly ringed. Several unbroken necklaces on neck and upper chest, the more the better. Frown marks on forehead form an intricate letter "M." Unbroken line runs back from outer corner of eye. Swirls on cheeks. Vertical lines over back of head extend to shoulder markings which are in the shape of a butterfly with both upper and lower wings distinctly outlined and marked with dots inside outline. Back markings consist of a vertical line down the spine from butterfly to tail with a vertical stripe paralleling it on each side, the three stripes well separated by stripes of the ground color. Large solid blotch on each side to be encircled by one or more unbroken rings. Side markings should be the same on both sides. Double vertical rows of buttons on chest and stomach.

MACKEREL TABBY PATTERN: markings dense, clearly defined, and all narrow pencillings. Legs evenly barred with narrow bracelets coming up to meet the body markings. Tail barred. Necklaces on neck and chest distinct, like so many chains. Head barred with an "M" on the forehead. Unbroken lines running back from the eyes. Lines running down the head to meet the shoulders. Spine lines run together to form a narrow saddle. Narrow pencillings run around body.

SPOTTED TABBY PATTERN: markings on the body to be dense, clearly defined and distinctly spotted. Spots may vary in size or shape. Body spots may subtly suggest a mackerel or classic pattern but may not be connected and preference given to spots in a random pattern. A dorsal stripe may run down the length of the body to the tip of the tail. Preference given to a dorsal stripe composed of spots with alternating horizontal "brush strokes." Tail may be barred with preference given to spots. There is an intricate tabby "M" on the forehead, with markings extending over the head between the ears and breaking into spots on the lower neck and shoulders. An unbroken line runs back from the outer corner of the eye. Swirls on cheeks. Spots are scattered along the front shoulders and hind quarters extending as far as possible down the legs with broken bracelets further down on the lower legs and broken necklaces at the throat, the more broken the better. Buttons on belly desirable.

SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color pale, clear silver. Markings dense black. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye color: green, hazel, or brilliant copper.

SILVER PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color pale silver. Markings of dense black. Patches of red or softly intermingled areas of red on both body and extremities. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black and/or brick red. Eye color: green, hazel, or brilliant copper.

BLUE SILVER TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color pale bluish silver. Markings sound blue. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: blue or old rose trimmed with blue. Paw pads: blue or old rose. Eye color: green, hazel, or brilliant copper.

BLUE SILVER PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color pale bluish silver. Markings sound blue. Patches of cream or softly intermingled areas of cream on both body and extremities. Undercoat white. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: blue or old rose trimmed with blue and/or pink. Paw pads: blue or old rose and/or pink. Eye color: green, hazel or brilliant copper.

RED TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color red. Markings deep, rich red. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather and paw pads: brick red. Eye color: brilliant copper.

BROWN TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings dense black. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Back of leg black from paw to heel. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black or brown. Eye color: brilliant copper.

BROWN PATCHED TABBY (classic, mackerel, spotted): ground color brilliant coppery brown. Markings of dense black. Patches of red or softly intermingled areas of red on both body and extremities. Lips and chin the same shade as the rings around the eyes. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black and/or brick red. Eye color: brilliant copper.

Continued

Source: The Persian breed standard, The Cat Fanciers Association, April 2007.

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