What breed is a red-black cat? - briefly
A red-black cat is not a specific breed but rather a description of its coat color, which can appear in various breeds such as the Domestic Shorthair or Maine Coon. The red-black pattern is often referred to as "tortoiseshell" or "torbie" when combined with tabby markings.
What breed is a red-black cat? - in detail
A red-black cat is not a specific breed but rather a description of a cat's coat color and pattern. The term "red-black" typically refers to a cat with a combination of red (often called orange or ginger) and black fur. This coloration is most commonly associated with the tabby pattern, which can appear in various breeds. The red and black colors in cats are linked to the X chromosome, with the red color being a result of the "O" gene and the black color from the "B" gene. Male cats, having only one X chromosome, are more likely to exhibit either red or black, while female cats, with two X chromosomes, can display both colors, often in a tortoiseshell or calico pattern. Breeds that can exhibit red and black coloring include the Domestic Shorthair, Domestic Longhair, Maine Coon, American Shorthair, and Persian, among others. The specific breed of a red-black cat can only be determined by examining its physical characteristics, lineage, and genetic markers, as coat color alone does not define a breed.