A solid color nose is indicative of non-agouti (Smoke), this can be confirmed by DNA testing. The extreme wide-banding effect is very rare and at first, the look will appear to be “Shaded” instead of “Smoke” due to the high level of white.
Silver blue maine coon series#
Non-agouti + Wide Band + inhibitor gene= Smoke PatternĪgouti + Wide Band + inhibitor gene = Silver series Golden Shaded lacks the Inhibitor gene but has a shading pattern comparable to Silver Shaded cats.
The presence or absence of the Inhibitor (silver) gene does not affect the Wide Band effect. Tarnishing is common on the muzzles of random-bred silver tabbies, but rare on pedigree silver tabbies due to selective breeding and refinement.įor convenience, breeders talk of Wide Band as a single gene, but there appear to be multiple interacting genes that determine the width of the pale band between the pigmented tip and the follicle. When the Inhibitor gene fails to completely block pigment (it is more effective at blocking black-based pigment than blocking red-based pigment) and there is a breakthrough of reddish color known as "tarnishing". Each varies in the amount of color left to the coat.ġ/8 of hair length colored at tip – shellġ/4 of hair length colored at tip – all shadedġ/2 of hair length colored at tip – all smoke If you would like the most simplified explanation these three types are all caused by the “inhibitor gene” sometimes called the “silver gene”. But once you know the basics it really not as confusing as you might think. UC Davis offers genetic testing for color coat as well as several types of cat-related diseases.Explaining the difference between Smoke, Shaded, and Shell is a tad bit complicated. In addition, if you are a breeder genetic testing is available to see what colors your king or queen has in their genetic line. The Cat Fanciers Association has a great article on cat genetics ( ). The female kitten can be a combination of the parents coloring or a diluted form. They will always be either the color of the dam or a diluted version of that color such as a cream or blue.įemale kittens will have received one color gene from the mother and one color gene from the father. Male kittens receive both color genes from their mother. The pattern can be received from either parent.Ĭolors are found in polygenes which means the gene needs multiple others of the same kind to be observable. The color point gene is an exception to this. In genetics, color refers to the solid color such as red, blue or black.Ĭolor is most often received directly from the parents and does not travel genetically through the line. Genetics with the Maine Coon is fascinating business Maine Coons are available in 84 different color combinations.īreeders often find genetics and predicting color a challenge in the Maine Coon cat. However, a smoke colored cat will have silver roots going into the hair shaft. It can be hard to identify the color of a blue smoke kitten because it can take many months for the undercoat to develop. The “smoke” color refers to the silver undercoat. Blue Smoke Colorīlue’s come in Blue Smoke and Blue Tortie Smoke. These colors can be harder to find and may be more expensive due to their rarity. The Blue coloring is a very sought after color and is especially striking in the more unusual Shaded Blue Silver and the Chinchilla Blue Silver. There is also a Blue Silver Tabby and a Blue Patched Tabby which are more unusual. The solid blue color is the most common in the blues.Ī Blue and White is a Blue with White patches on their bib, paws, and belly.Ī Blue Tabby has a pale bluish ivory base and markings that are a deep contrasting blue.įawn or patina overtones are accepted with white allowed on nose and paws.Ī pink or rose nose and pink paw pads. The hair on a solid blue retains its color down into the hair shaft. The Solid Blue color is one solid blue color from nose to tail with blue paw pads and a blue nose.
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