TotenEngel
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I used to breed red persians and they are pure red, no tabby
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This article is from the Miscellaneous Cat Information FAQ, posted to rec.pets.cats newsgroup. Maintained by Cindy Tittle Moore with numerous contributions by others.
006. Cat Genetics and Coloring
A cat with patches of red and black is a tortoiseshell, or 'tortie'. Add white, and you get a calico. A tortoiseshell that is homozygous for the recessive 'dilution' gene is referred to as a blue-cream, and that's what color it is: patches of soft grey and cream. This is the same gene that turns black cats 'blue' (grey), and red cats cream. A blue-cream and white is generally referred to in the cat world as a dilute calico. The pattern of black/red or blue/cream can either be in big dramatic patches, brindling, or some of both. Having more white seems to encourage the formation of the big patches.
Red in cats is a sex-linked color, carried on the X gene. Therefore, a male cat whose X carries red will be a red tabby. A female cat who carries one red and one non-red X will be a patched tabby, a tortoiseshell, or a calico (if she also has the dominant gene for white markings). A female cat who is homozygous for red (has it on both X genes) will be a red tabby. This is why you see more male red tabbies than females. This is also why male calicos are so rare: you have to have two X genes to be a calico. Male calicos have genetic aberrations of various sorts, of which XXY is most common. While they are most commonly sterile, there *are* documented cases of fertile male calicos. However, the generalization that "all calicos/torties are female" is true 99.999 percent of the time.
The reason red females are "uncommon" is that, statistically, the number of red males is equal to the number of tortoiseshell/calico, patched tabby, and red females. Red males and tortie/calico/patched tabby females can be produced when only one parent has the red gene, but to produce a red female, you must cross a red male with a red/tortie/calico/patched tabby female. That is why red females are uncommon. But not "impossible", in the sense that a male calico is "impossible."
A "solid red" cat will always display the tabby pattern (although it may be very slight or even undetectable without brushing the fur back to check). There's another gene at work which controls "agoutiness" (whether individual hairs are banded or solid). Cats who are non-agouti will not generally display the tabby pattern, except in red areas. The non-agouti gene does not affect phaeomelanin, the red pigment, so red cats always show their tabby pattern.
The red gene "overrides" the solid gene, making the tabby pattern visible again. (And on other solid colors, you can sometimes notice the underlying stripes, especially in strong light.) Solid red cats at cat shows may or may not be genetically solid--they are (generally longhairs) bred for the "blurring" of the tabby pattern, producing a cat that doesn't have dramatic markings.
006. Cat Genetics and Coloring
A cat with patches of red and black is a tortoiseshell, or 'tortie'. Add white, and you get a calico. A tortoiseshell that is homozygous for the recessive 'dilution' gene is referred to as a blue-cream, and that's what color it is: patches of soft grey and cream. This is the same gene that turns black cats 'blue' (grey), and red cats cream. A blue-cream and white is generally referred to in the cat world as a dilute calico. The pattern of black/red or blue/cream can either be in big dramatic patches, brindling, or some of both. Having more white seems to encourage the formation of the big patches.
Red in cats is a sex-linked color, carried on the X gene. Therefore, a male cat whose X carries red will be a red tabby. A female cat who carries one red and one non-red X will be a patched tabby, a tortoiseshell, or a calico (if she also has the dominant gene for white markings). A female cat who is homozygous for red (has it on both X genes) will be a red tabby. This is why you see more male red tabbies than females. This is also why male calicos are so rare: you have to have two X genes to be a calico. Male calicos have genetic aberrations of various sorts, of which XXY is most common. While they are most commonly sterile, there *are* documented cases of fertile male calicos. However, the generalization that "all calicos/torties are female" is true 99.999 percent of the time.
The reason red females are "uncommon" is that, statistically, the number of red males is equal to the number of tortoiseshell/calico, patched tabby, and red females. Red males and tortie/calico/patched tabby females can be produced when only one parent has the red gene, but to produce a red female, you must cross a red male with a red/tortie/calico/patched tabby female. That is why red females are uncommon. But not "impossible", in the sense that a male calico is "impossible."
A "solid red" cat will always display the tabby pattern (although it may be very slight or even undetectable without brushing the fur back to check). There's another gene at work which controls "agoutiness" (whether individual hairs are banded or solid). Cats who are non-agouti will not generally display the tabby pattern, except in red areas. The non-agouti gene does not affect phaeomelanin, the red pigment, so red cats always show their tabby pattern.
The red gene "overrides" the solid gene, making the tabby pattern visible again. (And on other solid colors, you can sometimes notice the underlying stripes, especially in strong light.) Solid red cats at cat shows may or may not be genetically solid--they are (generally longhairs) bred for the "blurring" of the tabby pattern, producing a cat that doesn't have dramatic markings.
Gizzymom
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Very interesting....
You used to breed Persians?! I love Persians, but unfortunately lost my baby three years ago...I miss having a smoochy face kitty running around the house so much though! My absolute dream would be to have another Persian (or exotic sh) and a Sphynx....I can just picture them cuddled up together! One all furry and one all naked, Aaaawwww
Did you ever own a Persian and Sphynx at the same time?- Joined
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Welcome to the lair!!! Isis sure is a pretty girl and I'm pretty sure she won't be your last sphynx!!! :Laugh:
I once placed a sphynx kitten in a household with 2 adult persians...
From my experience...it didn't go very smooth....it was okay for the sphynx...but the 2 persians didn't like it very much....after 2 years they are accepting the sphynx...but that's all.....no fun or playing going on....
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Awww I have a Persian Cat now and am expecting my first Sphynx on Friday. I hope and pray they get along. My Lucy needs someone to play with. 
She is still a Kitty or Young Cat I should say. So Im hoping they can bond and be the best of friends. Ill post some pics if they get to snuggling. Lucy (Persian) is a girl and Bax (Sphynx) is a boy.
She is still a Kitty or Young Cat I should say. So Im hoping they can bond and be the best of friends. Ill post some pics if they get to snuggling. Lucy (Persian) is a girl and Bax (Sphynx) is a boy.
Let us now how it goes...Awww I have a Persian Cat now and am expecting my first Sphynx on Friday. I hope and pray they get along. My Lucy needs someone to play with.
I must say, you have two of the best breeds in your home. Persians, and Sphynx
And yes, we need pictures! I can't wait to see Lucy too, I bet she's gorgeous!I once placed a sphynx kitten in a household with 2 adult persians...
From my experience...it didn't go very smooth....it was okay for the sphynx...but the 2 persians didn't like it very much....after 2 years they are accepting the sphynx...but that's all.....no fun or playing going on....
I know that Persians aren't the most playful little ones, especially as adults, but, they are some of the most wonderful loving cuddle bugs! My Persian was adored by all of my other pets. They would follow him around, try to play with him, and try to cuddle up with him. He truly was the King of our house! I love and miss him so much
Red in cats is a sex-linked color, carried on the X gene. Therefore, a male cat whose X carries red will be a red tabby. A female cat who carries one red and one non-red X will be a patched tabby, a tortoiseshell, or a calico (if she also has the dominant gene for white markings). A female cat who is homozygous for red (has it on both X genes) will be a red tabby. This is why you see more male red tabbies than females.
OK! You must be very knowledgable about the genetics of color! My 3rd & final Sphynx is going to be the mother of my tortie&white girl - she is going to retire from breeding. The breeder says she is a chocolate point. I have seen pictures of her, but she looks pale beige. Are you familiar with the chocolate point?
I try to be
I have a chocolate mink male....but no choc point....the difficulty with colors is....that it would look different on pics then in real life...and under the influence of being tabby or not or a being mink or point...the colors chance...so it is sometimes difficult to tell....if i want to be real sure...for example if i want to buy a breeder...i have them DNA tested on color.
Do you have pics of the cat ?
