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LONG-HAIRED CATS

LONG-HAIRED BROWN TABBY

Although tabbies of every colour may be found among house pets, and tabby markings have a tendency to crop up in the wrong pedigree breeds, to produce a long-haired brown tabby with the correct pattern of markings and colourings is not an easy undertaking. Up to 1939, there were some exceptionally handsome Brown Tabbies in Britain, and indeed, they won quite a few of the highest awards. With the coming of the war, the breed deteriorated rapidly and good specimens became very rare. During recent years there has been a revival of the breed, but opinion seems to be divided as to whether the colour has yet reached the standard of the rich tawny shade of the pre-war cats. The breed is called Brown Tabby, but this is rather indefinite, as the colour should be a rich tawny sable, with dense black markings conforming to a definite pattern continuing from the back to under the body and joining in the middle of the stomach. There should be no white tip to the tail. One or two of the breeders exhibiting at recent shows seem to be achieving a certain amount of success in that direction, although there is a tendency for the pale, or in some cases white, chin and lips to appear, which is a great disfigurement. In the past few years, some judges have found it has been necessary to withhold the granting of challenge certificates as several of the cats were showing brindling. Rarely does this breed have the type seen in the majority of the other long-haired breeds. Generally the head is narrower and longer, with the ears too much on top. The eyes are usually well placed, large and wide open, and of hazel or copper colour.
At birth, the kittens may appear to be too heavily marked, although the ground colouring is good. When teething is over the stripes will possibly become more distinct and the background colour clearer. From a breeding point of view, it is wiser to keep the kitten with the cobbiest body and the best type head.

Standard Points

Colour and markings
Rich tawny sable, with delicate black pencillings running down face. The cheeks crossed with two or three distinct swirls.
The chest crossed by two unbroken narrow lines, butterfly markings on shoulders.
Front of legs striped regularly from toes upwards the saddle and sides to have deep bands running down them, and the tail to be regularly ringed.

Coat Long and flowing, tail short and full. 50

Body Cobby and massive, short legs. 15

Head Round and broad; small well-placed and well-tufted ears,
short broad nose, full round cheeks. 20

Eyes Large and round, hazel or copper colour. 15