What breed of cat is striped? - briefly
The most common striped cat breed is the Domestic Shorthair, which often exhibits tabby patterns, including stripes, due to its genetic diversity.
What breed of cat is striped? - in detail
Striped cats, often referred to as tabby cats, are not a specific breed but rather a coat pattern that can appear in many different breeds. The tabby pattern is characterized by distinctive stripes, swirls, or spots, and it is one of the most common and recognizable coat types in domestic cats. Breeds that commonly exhibit the tabby pattern include the Maine Coon, American Shorthair, Bengal, Abyssinian, and British Shorthair, among others. The tabby pattern itself can vary, with classic tabbies displaying bold, swirling patterns, mackerel tabbies featuring narrow, parallel stripes, and spotted tabbies showcasing distinct spots. The genetics behind the tabby pattern involve the agouti gene, which controls the distribution of pigment in each hair, creating the striped or banded effect. While the tabby pattern is widespread, it is important to note that not all striped cats are tabbies, as some breeds, like the Bengal, have unique stripe patterns due to selective breeding. Ultimately, the presence of stripes in a cat is a result of both genetics and breed-specific traits, making striped cats a diverse and fascinating group.