grey and white, also known as dappled or bicolor, is a coat combination of solid gray and areas of white. These white spots are caused by the white spot gene. Grey and white coat colors are common in both pedigree cats and purebred cats. In the cat world, the gray color is referred to as “blue”.
Cats come in a myriad of colors and patterns, and among the most captivating are the grey and white cat breeds. In this article, we delve into the charm, characteristics, and popularity of these unique feline companions.
Let’s dive into the list of white and grey cat breeds.
Common Grey and White Cat Breeds
Several cat breeds are known for their stunning grey and white coloration. From the majestic Russian Blue to the playful Turkish Van, each breed brings its own set of characteristics that cat lovers adore.
Personality Traits of Grey and White Cats
Beyond their striking appearance, grey and white cat breeds often share common personality traits. Whether it’s the affectionate nature of the Ragdoll or the independent spirit of the Chartreux, these cats offer diverse companionship.
Grey and White Cat Breeds in History
Exploring the historical background of grey and white cat breeds provides insights into their origins and development. Some breeds may have cultural significance or historical associations.
Breeding and Genetics of Grey and White Cats
Understanding the basics of coat color genetics sheds light on the variations within grey and white cat breeds. Responsible breeding practices contribute to the overall well-being of these cats.
The Future of Grey and White Cat Breeds
As trends evolve, responsible breeding and ownership become paramount. Considering the welfare of these unique breeds ensures a bright future for grey and white cats.
Top 11 Most Popular Grey and White Cats in 2024
1. Cornish Rex
The Cornish Rex descended from a tortoiseshell cat named Serena, who gave birth to five kittens. One of the kittens, a red and white tomcat, had an unusually curly coat. The kitten was named Kallibunker (Kalli) and mated to his mother; this mating produced three kittens, two of which had the same curly coat. One cub died and the second, a tom named Poldhu, became a Cornish Rex along with Kallibunker.
Personality:
An outgoing and active cat, the Cornish Rex is often described as the clown of the feline world. Due to their accommodating and friendly nature, they get along well with children and other pets and love being part of the family. Cornish Rexes love to be high up and can often be seen perched on a bookshelf or on the shoulders of their favorite human. This playful character persists into adulthood.
Appearance:
The Cornish Rex has a long, lean, and powerful body with long, slender legs in proportion to the body. The legs are long and slender, with the hind legs being slightly longer than the front legs.
The head is small and ovate, with large, high ears, a Roman nose, and oval eyes.
Cornish Rex cats have wavy coats with no guard hairs, which makes the coat incredibly soft to the touch. The Cornish Rex’s wavy coat was known as the Marcel wave, a style popular in the 1920s.
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years
- Energy: High
- Temperament: Playful, open-minded, curious, affectionate
- Weight: males 4-5 kg (8.8-11 lbs), females 3.5-4 kg (7.8-8.8 lbs)
- Colors: All coat colors and patterns
- Grooming: Requires weekly grooming
- Other names:
- Cost: $1,000 – $2,000
2. Maine Raccoon
about:
The Maine Coon is the largest cat breed in the feline world and evolved from ship cats that were imported from Europe. Maine Coons were first exhibited at the Skowhegan Fair in New England in 1860, followed by twelve Maine Coons at the Boston Cat Show in 1878. Cosey, a female Maine Coon, was named Best Cat at the 1895 Madison Square Garden Show. The Persian cat supplanted the Maine Coon in the early 20th century and it was only through careful and dedicated breeding that the breed was revived and remains a popular breed to this day.
Personality:
The Maine Coon is an intelligent and loyal companion who does well in human company. They are known as the gentle giants of the feline world because of their gentle nature and calm attitude toward life.
Activity levels can vary from raunchy to energetic, and the Maine Coon loves to be high up. Water is a favorite food too – you’re never safe in the bath or shower when sharing your home with a Maine Coon.
Their love of company makes them dog-like, and Maine Coons will follow their favorite human from room to room.
Appearance:
The Maine Coon is a well-balanced, large, and sturdy cat with a broad chest and a long, muscular body. The head is large and broad, with brush ears, expressive, wide-set eyes, and a visibly square chin.
Maine Coons have a silky, shaggy coat with a collar at the shoulders and a long, feathered tail. Aside from its imposing size, there is nothing extreme about the Maine Coon. It can take up to three years for a Maine Coon to mature.
- Life expectancy: 12-15 years
- Energy: medium
- Temperament: Loyal, accommodating, intelligent, gentle
- Weight: males 6-8 kg (13.2 – 17.6 lbs), females 5-7 kg (11 – 15.4 lbs)
- Colors: solid, brindle, two-tone and shaded
- Grooming: requires daily grooming
- Other names: Coonie, Maine Cat, Maine Trick Cat, American Longhair, American Forest Cat, American Shag, and American Snughead
- Cost: $1,500 – $2,000
RELATED: Grey Tabby Cat – Facts And Fun About Your Tabby
3. Norwegian forest cat
about:
Affectionately known as the Wegies or Norsk Skogskatt, the Norwegian Forest cat is a native breed from Northern Europe. It is believed that their ancestors were brought to the area by the Vikings around 1000 AD and adapted to the harsh winters with their long, woolly coats.
Crossbreeding with shorthair cats nearly wiped out the Norwegian Forest cat, and efforts have been made to save the breed. In 1938 the Norwegian Forest Cat Club was founded. But then World War II broke out, and during that time breeding programs came to a virtual standstill.
Breeding resumed in the 1970s and the Norwegian Forest cat was officially recognized by the international cat organizations in 1977. The first breeding pair came to the United States in 1979. In the 1970s, a cat named Pan’s Truls became the benchmark for the Norwegian Forest cat breed standard. FiFE officially recognized the breed in 1977 and the Cat Fanciers Association in 1987. In 1993 she received the status of a champion.
Personality:
Norwegian Forest Cats are accommodating, mild-mannered, gentle, and people-oriented. These natural athletes retain their kitty demeanor into adulthood and have exceptional climbing skills, so a tall scratching post and perches are recommended.
The Norwegian Forest Cat may be shy with strangers, but unlike other breeds, they are very devoted to their human family, favoring no one and loving everyone equally.
Appearance:
The Norwegian Forest Cat is a slow-growing breed, not reaching full maturity until the age of five. The body is large and well-muscled with a uniform bone structure. The legs are medium-sized and the hind legs are longer than the front legs. The head is an equilateral triangle and all sides are equal in length. The ears are medium to large in size, the eyes are large and almond shaped and the profile of the nose is straight from the arch of the eyebrows without breaks.
The double coat is semi-long, dense, and waterproof with a dense, woolly undercoat and smooth topcoat. Males usually have thicker fur than females. The top coat is long, shiny, and water-resistant with a dense undercoat. The bib at the neck consists of three parts: a short collar at the neck, a side button placket, and a flounce at the front.
- Life expectancy: 12-15 years
- Energy: medium
- Temperament: accommodating, mild, friendly
- Weight: Males 5-6 kg (11 – 13 lbs), females 4-5 kg (8.8 – 11 lbs)
- Colors: all colors and patterns except pointed
- Grooming: requires daily grooming
- Other names: Wegies, Norsk skogskatt, Norsk granskogskatte and Norsk skaukatt
- Cost: $1,500 – $2,500
RELATED: Orange And White Cat Colors And Patterns
4. British Longhair
about:
The British Longhair (BLH) is a close relative of the British Shorthair, which is one of the earliest cat breeds. Persian cats were used in the early 20th century to develop the breed, which introduced the recessive longhair gene. Shorthaired cats remained part of the British Shorthair programs and longhaired cats were incorporated into the Persian breeding programs.
The British Shorthair lines were all but lost after World War II, and breeders used native Shorthairs, Russian Blues, and Persians to re-establish the breed. From time to time, long-haired kittens called British Shorthair varieties were born and sold as pets. Eventually, breeders developed the British Longhair into their own breed.
Personality:
British Longhairs are similar in character to their cousins, the British Shorthairs and Persians. The British Longhair is described using words such as relaxed, independent, easy-going, and calm. These traits make them the ideal breed for families and borders.
Appearance:
The British Longhair is a compact and powerful cat with a muscular body, broad chest, and strong legs. Its head is large and round, with a moderately short nose and large, round, wide-set eyes.
All coat colors and patterns are accepted.
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years
- Energy: low to medium
- Temperament: good-natured, calm, independent, lovable
- Weight: Males 6-9 kg (13.2 – 19.8 lbs), females 4-6 kg (8.8 – 13.2 lbs)
- Colors: blue, black, red, beige, purple, chocolate, and cinnamon in one and two-tone versions
- Care: daily
- Other names: British Variant Longhair, British Semi-Longhair, Lowlander (US), Britannica (Europe)
- Cost: $1,000-$1,500
5. Exotic
about:
The Exotic Shorthair is essentially a short-haired Persian cat that was created by crossing an American Shorthair and a Persian cat in the 1960s. Later, other breeds, including the Burmese and Abyssinian, were added to the breeding program to introduce new colors and expand the gene pool. Because they are crossed with Persians, most litters contain both shorthair and longhair kittens.
Personality:
Short-haired exotics share characteristics similar to their Persian cousins, although they are said to be a bit livelier. Their sweet, affectionate, and fun-loving personalities make them excellent family pets. Although Exotics love to follow their human family from room to room, they are not as demanding or pushy as other races.
The Exotic is calm and relaxed, although they are said to be livelier than their Persian relatives.
Appearance:
Exotic Shorthairs are a tall, stocky breed with a broad chest and low legs. The head is large and round with a sweet expression. The camouflaged nose has a gap between the large, expressive eyes.
The thick, plush fur comes in all colors and patterns.
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years
- Energy: low to medium
- Temperament: accommodating, sweet, loyal, calm
- Weight: males 5-6 kg (8.8 – 13.2 lbs), females 4.5 -5.5 kg (9.9 – 12.1 lbs)
- Colors: All coat colors and patterns
- Grooming: Requires weekly grooming
- Other names: teddy bear
- Cost: $1,200 – $2,000
RELATED: Tortoiseshell Cat: Over 33 Fascinating Facts About Tortie Cats
6. munchkin
about:
The Munchkin breed was developed from a pregnant, short-legged cat named Blackberry who was rescued by Kay LaFrance in 1983. Blackberry gave birth to four kittens, two of which had the same short legs as their mother. Munchkin cats have achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism that causes their long bones to shorten. The breed is named after the Munchkins from the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz. There is some controversy over the welfare of dwarf cats, and not all feline organizations recognize it.
Personality:
Energetic, playful, and outgoing, Munchkins retain their kitty personalities into adulthood. Their intelligence means they are easily trained to fetch or walk with a harness. Munchkins love company and get along well with children, dogs, and other cats. Their short stature is no obstacle for munchkins, and they can run and play with their long-legged brethren.
Their short legs do not impede mobility, and Munchkin cats dart about the house and can jump, although not as high as cats with regular legs. Munchkins have earned the nickname magpie cats because of their fondness for shiny objects, which they like to hide.
Appearance:
The Munchkin cat is a medium-sized breed with a semi-elongated body, its paws are short, and the front and rear limbs are of equal length. The head is a modified wedge, the ears are proportional to the head and the eyes are round and well-set.
Munchkins can have a long or short coat of any color.
- Life expectancy: 12-15 years
- Energy: medium
- Temperament: Playful, outgoing, easy to train
- Weight: Males 5-6 kg (11 – 13 lbs), females 4-5 kg (8.8 – 11 lbs)
- Colors: All coat colors and patterns
- Grooming: Requires daily grooming
- Other names: wiener cat, American munchkin, sausage cat, dwarf kitten
- Cost: $1,500 – $2,500
7. Devon Rex
about:
In 1959 a stray cat with an unusually short and curly coat was discovered in an abandoned mine in Buckfastleigh, Devon. This elusive cat mated with a local tortoiseshell cat and a white cat who had befriended local resident Beryl Cox. At the foot of Miss Cox’s garden, a litter of four kittens was born, one of which had the same unusual coat as the elusive stray cat. Miss Cox called him Kirlee and Brian Sterling-Webb bought him because it was believed to have the same gene as the Cornish Rex. However, experimental mating proved that this was not the case.
Breeders worked with Kirlee to create a new breed, the Devon Rex.
Personality:
The Devon Rex has earned the nickname “monkey in a cat’s dress,” and that description describes the breed perfectly. Curious, mischievous, active, and playful, Devon Rexes love to get high. These extremely affectionate cats love nothing more than the closeness of their human family and, thanks to their playful nature, get along well with children and other pets.
Because the Devon Rex is an active breed, he will benefit from an exercise run to burn off some of his energy. They need plenty of play opportunities with a range of interactive cat toys and puzzles, as well as cat trees or perches to enjoy the world from above.
Appearance:
The Devon Rex is a small to medium-sized cat with an agile but muscular body and fine bones. Its legs are strong and the hind legs are slightly longer than the front legs. This unique breed of cat has an elfin head with prominent cheekbones, large, low ears, and wide-set oval eyes.
The fur is short, soft, and curly and contains all three types of fur guard, awns, and down. His mustache and eyebrows are short and curled. All coat colors and patterns are accepted.
- Life expectancy: 12-14 years
- Energy: High
- Temperament: Playful, open-minded, curious, loving
- Weight: males 4-5 kg (8.8-11 lbs), females 3.5-4 kg (7.8-8.8 lbs)
- Colors: all coat colors and patterns
- Grooming: needs weekly grooming
- Other names: –
- Cost: $800 – $1,300
8. cat Persian
about:
The Persian cat is one of the oldest and most popular breeds. Their history is not fully known, although it is widely believed that the first cats came from Persia (modern-day Iran) and Turkey. The Italian traveler Pietro Della Valle (1586-1652) is credited with bringing the first Persian cats to Europe when he arrived in his native Italy in 1620.
By 1800 the Persian cat had become a popular breed in Europe, and the first Persian cats arrived in America in the late 1800s. In Harper’s weekly supplement of January 27, 1872, several cats are pictured at Crystal Palace in London, including a Persian cat.
Harrison Weir, the father of the feline fantasy, describes the Persian cat in his book Our Cats and All About Them, in which he describes the cat breeds at the first cat show at Crystal Palace in 1871.
“It differs somewhat from the Angora in that the tail is generally longer, more like a table brush in shape, and generally turned up slightly, the coat is fuller and coarser at the ends while being slightly longer at the base. The head is somewhat larger, with less pointed ears, although these should not be without the tuft at the top, and also well provided with long hair on the inside, and of moderate size.
Personality:
Persians are a sweet, calm, and laid-back breed who generally don’t cause difficulties. Due to their affectionate and gentle nature, Persians get along well with children and other pets as long as they are not too loud. They cope better with alone time by sleeping for hours in a sunny spot but appreciate the company of another cat or dog when their human family is away from home for an extended period of time.
Appearance:
Persian cats are a large, sturdy, stocky breed with short, thick legs and large paws. The Persian cat’s head is large and broad, with round, expressive eyes well spaced; the ears are small and tufted and set low on the head. The nose is short, with a stop (or break) midway between the eyes, and the overall expression is sweet and sometimes described as stepmotherly.
Some breeders focus on breeding Persians that resemble those of the past and have less extreme traits called traditional, doll-faced, or old-fashioned Persians.
- Life expectancy: 12-16 years
- Energy: Low
- Temperament:
- Weight: males 5-6 kg (11-13 lbs), females 4-5 kg (8.8-11 lbs)
- Colors: All coat colors and patterns (pointed cats are classified as Himalayan cats, shaded cats as chinchillas)
- Grooming: requires daily grooming
- Other names: Iranian cat, Shirazi cat
- Cost: $1,000 – $1,400
9. Ragdoll cats
Don’t look straight into the eyes of ragdoll cats… you’ll fall in love with them instantly!
This white and grey cat has deep blue eyes that can easily intimidate anyone. The nature of these cats is caring, friendly, and loving. They are very sociable and adaptable and can settle into any home. All of these qualities make them perfect family cats in families with children.
- Average lifespan: 12 – 17 years
- Weight: 10-20 lbs
- Energy level: Moderate
- Personality Traits: Gentle, affectionate, loyal
- Cost: $800-2000
10. American Wirehair
This cat breed is native to New York. These cats have a shaggy, curly coat that looks unique and set them apart from other cats. These skins are hypoallergenic, which is the result of a natural genetic mutation.
American Wirehair comes in many colors, but gray and white are the most common. They don’t need much care. All they need is regular bathing and grooming. These cats are affectionate, loyal, and lovable, making them perfect family pets.
- Average life expectancy: 10-16 years
- Weight: 8-12 lbs
- Energy Level: Low to moderate
- Personality Traits: Sociable, affectionate, and courageous
- Cost: $800-$1,200
11. Egyptian Mau
Another beautiful grey and white cat, the Egyptian Mau is loyal and sociable. This cat has many natural spots on her fur that make her even cuter and more loveable.
They are already very active as young animals and later develop slim and athletic bodies. So make sure you give them cat food that is high in protein and nutrients. Another amazing fact about these cats is that they are known for their agility and speed.
An Egyptian Mau cat can travel up to 30 miles per hour!
These cats are also very expressive and do not hesitate to verbally express their joy and feelings.
- Average lifespan: 12 – 15 years
- Weight: 8 – 12 lbs
- Energy Level: High
- Personality Traits: Friendly, athletic, loyal, and intelligent
- Cost: $1000 – $1200
FAQs About Grey and White Cat Breeds
What breed are grey and white tabby cats?
American Shorthair
Although American Shorthairs can come in a wide range of colors and patterns, gray tabby cats are one of the most popular. This all-American breed can be traced back to the Mayflower and other working cats that came to the New World with European settlers.
Are grey and white cats friendly?
Black/white cats or grey/white cats
They are very active and make excellent mice. However, they tend to be less clingy than cats of other colors. Black-and-white and gray-and-white cats form many friendships with people and other cats, although these friendships are generally short-lived.
How do cats choose their favorite person?
A study by the Nutrition Society Canada found that the person who tries hardest is the most popular. People who communicate with their cats by knowing their signals and motivations are more attractive to their feline companions.
Can cats sense a good person?
Although a cat doesn’t care about human morals (as that word is commonly used), cats can distinguish between good and bad people and are excellent judges of human character and emotions.
Are grey and white cat breeds more prone to certain health issues?
While no coloration guarantees health issues, some breeds may have predispositions. Regular veterinary care is essential.
What distinguishes grey and white cat breeds from each other?
Each breed has unique characteristics, from the Russian Blue’s plush coat to the Turkish Van’s love for water.
Final Word: Grey and White Cat Breeds
So that was it with the gray and white cat breeds. Cats are curious, cute, and cuddly animals. Therefore, if you are considering adopting a cat, you should not focus too much on its appearance, but also consider its personality and temperament. Whether it’s white or gray cat breeds, get the one whose personality you love the most.
I hope this in-depth guide to grey and white cat breeds has helped you narrow down your options for your next pet adoption. So if you find this article informative, please share it with your family and friends who are looking for opportunities to adopt a cat.
If you want to learn more about pets, full breed information, health care, or diet and feeding tips, visit my blogalma website.
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