12 Black and White Cat Breeds That Are Too Cute to Ignore
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If you in the market to adopt a black and white cat then you are in luck, because there are many breeds to choose from. These bi-color cats come in a variety of sizes, patterns, personalities and can range from a cow pattern, to a magpie, to a tuxedo cat.
Keep reading to learn more about these beautiful cats and which black and white cat breeds maybe your best choice.
Black and White Cats are Not a Breed
Black and white cats are not a specific breed but rather a color pattern. Unlike orange tabbies or tortoiseshells, black and white cats may be male or female, meaning there is an equal number of male and female two-toned cats.
Black and white cats are sometimes called tuxedo or bi-color cats. These two toned coat patterned cats, can manifest in many variations and can turn up in a number of breeds.
#1 Maine Coon
Maine Coons are an intelligent and loyal breed that loves human companionship. Known as the gentle giant of the cat world due to their sweet disposition and calm outlook on life, they tend to follow their favorite human from room to room. This breed’s activity levels may range from couch potato to active, and the Maine Coon likes to be high up.
These large cats are available in over 30 color variations which includes black and white. Their fur usually appears in bicolor black and white or tabby, but is also found in brown and shades of orange. Their vibrant eyes can range from blue to green and gold.
#2 Oriental Shorthair
Oriental Shorthairs shares similar traits to the Siamese being friendly, confident, outgoing, highly intelligent, lively, and very sociable. They are known for being an active breed, but also love to snuggle with their favorite human. The Oriental makes an great family pet because they get along well with children. Some Oriental cats may form a close attachment to one household member.
Oriental Shorthair Cats come in many colors, including shades of white, black, cream, ginger, and brown, as well as with a variety of patterns and markings. There are over 300 coat colors from solids to patterns like bicolor, parti-color, tabby, tortie, and smoke.
#3 Siberian
The Siberian cat enjoys spending time with their humans. Their love for cuddling and playtime makes them a good fit for many types of households. This breed is intelligent and active, and they do require some environmental stimuli.
The Siberian looks very similar to the Maine Coon. Siberians come in a variety of coat colors and patterns, which are black and white, orange, solid black, blue, gray, and solid white.
#4 Manx
The Manx is known as a dog-like cat as well as being energetic and playful. This breed needs to burn off a lot of energy or they may get into trouble around the house. They are highly intelligent and need plenty of mental stimulation like puzzle toys.
The Manx is a tailless kitty that can have either long or short hair and is found in a variety of colors and patterns. These patterns include the classic tuxedo, solid shades like red to bi-color, smoke, and even chinchilla silver.
#5 Persian
The Persian is a sweet, calm and laid back breed who usually stay out of trouble. Due to their affectionate and gentle nature, Persians get along well with children and other pets due to their affectionate and gentle nature but prefer quiet. They do appreciate the company of another cat or dog if their human is away for some time.
The classic Persian is bi-colored and usually have color on the top while their bellies and legs are white. This breed comes in many colors, like white, gray, orange, brown and the classic bi-color black and white. The most common is the bi-color van pattern which having white coats with up to two spots of color limited to the head, limbs, and tail.
#6 Cymric
The Cymric is a calm and sweet cat that loves to run and play. They carry themselves in a way that makes them look like bowling balls running around the room. This breed makes a loving companion, are people-oriented and don’t like to spend too much time alone. They may get lonely when left alone which can result in destructive behaviors.
The Cymric is known for his lack of a tail, but not every Cymric is completely tailless. Cymric cats come in many different colors, including black and white. Other colors include various solids, tabbies, tortoiseshells and calicos.
#7 British Shorthair
The British Shorthair is a friendly, quiet and gentle cat who likes to be close to their humans but is not overly clingy. The laid pack personality makes the British Shorthair an ideal companion for seniors and families with children. This breed does prefer less noise and will take himself somewhere quiet when needed. Their independent nature also means that they don’t tend to suffer from boredom if left on their own for long periods.
The British Shorthair comes in a variety of colors. While the most popular color is the British Blue, this breed also comes in grey and white, tabby, pure cream, calico, blue-spotted, black and white and pure white.
#8 Japanese Bobtail
The Japanese Bobtail is an energetic, sweet, loving and highly intelligent breed. They love to play with humans and can play fetch with a favorite toy for hours. This breed is social and have been known to take over the house due to lack of intimidation. While they do get along fairly well with other cat breeds, they prefer the company of other Japanese Bobtails.
Japanese Bobtails come in many colors from solid colors, vans, calico and bi-colors. They can have a tabby pattern which is either spotted, mackerel, or classic and come in two different coat lengths, longhair and shorthair.
#9 American Curl
The American curl enjoys a quiet place to nap on their own when not cuddling with their humans. This breed has been known to claim large bowls, boxes, and baskets, especially those placed in a high spot. They are also highly adaptable cats that does well with seniors, first-time cat owners, and families with children.
American Curl cats come in a plethora of shades including black, white, blue, red, chocolate, cream, silver, lilac, tortoiseshell, golden, brown, and buttercream. They also come in a wide variety of patterns which include solid color, smoke, tortoiseshell, tabby, points, bi-color, shaded, and calico.
#10 Munchkin
Munchkins are active, playful and outgoing cats who tend to hold onto kitten-hood well into adulthood. Because they are intelligent they can be trained to play fetch or walk on a leash. Munchkins love humans and do well with children, dogs and other cats. Their short-legs do not stop them from playing with long legged friends.
Munchkin cats come in a wide variety of coat colors and patterns. The most common ones include tabby, bicolor, calico, pointed, tortoiseshell, and tuxedo. Due to crossbreeding, the color variations have increased and become more unique.
#11 Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora is an affectionate cat and they prefer to be with their humans most of the time. They do not like being left alone, and do best in households where they will have company throughout the day. This breed is also more active than other domestic cats, so physical exercise is a must. It is best to offer a lot of toys and climbing structures to keep these felines entertained.
The Turkish angora was known for their white coats, but this breed developed other coat colorations over the years which includes black and white. They are still most often found with white coats, however.
#12 Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is most well-known for their folded over ears, and the location of where they were found. This breed is pretty remarkable to look at, which maybe one of the reasons they are so popular. These felines make great house pets due to their laidback and friendly nature. They can live easily with other pets and do well with children.
Their name comes from their signature folded ears, which lie close to their head. These adorable cats have medium to long hair, and come in a variety of colors and patterns, including magpie, white, black, red, and cream.
Types Of Black And White Cats
The color patterns of black and white cats are actually known by different names. Here is a list of the most common pattern variations :
- Locket: This is mostly black with just a small bit of white, usually located on the stomach or neck.
- Thai pattern: This pattern could have your cat mistaken for a skunk—these kitties have a black body with a distinct white stripe racing down their backs.
- Mitted: This means black all over with only white feet, which look like mittens.
- Tuxedo: This pattern is a black body with white feet, chest, stomach and nose, which makes the cat appear like he’s wearing a tuxedo.
- Bi -color: This pattern is half black and half white coloring.
- Magpie: This applies to white cats with random black spotting.
- Harlequin: This pattern is similar to the magpie with random black spotting, but with a black tail as well.
- Cap and saddle: This is a colored head with a saddle patch on the cat’s back, and these cats may also have a black tail.
- Cow pattern: These are felines who have markings that resemble a cow pattern. They will be mostly white with a smattering of adorable black spots or patches.
- Van: This pattern is identified as splashes of black coloring between the ears with a black tail.
- Mohrenkopf: Although rare, this pattern describes a cat with a white body and a black head.
Final Thoughts
Black and white cats are very popular and account for 75% of all domestic cats. They can be found in many breeds and they can be longhaired, shorthaired, have shaggy, smooth or silky coats. Of course, every cat has their own unique personality but black and white cat owners agree these cats are laid back, cuddly and highly intelligent regardless of breed.
