Dominating colors

Question
Dear Norman
As I'm breeding pedigree Persians , I think I have to know a little bit about the dominating colors among cats , and I think you are the one who can possibly help me.
Can you please tell me a little bit about the White color ? how much white gene is strong actually, and does white gene always dominate ?
You see my tomcat is a pure pedigree white Persian , and she'll mate with several females . I just want to know which  genes in females will dominate his white gene , and which genes will be dominated ? Specially if the females are smoky   or smoky & white (something like black & white Persian , but slightly different) , what would the possible kittens be ?
Thank you so much
Soheil


Answer
Soheil,

There are two dominant white factors in Persians.  The first is called the dominant white and gives you copper eyed whites.  Since this is a dominant gene, one copy form one parent will give you an all white Persian with copper eyes.

If one parent is homozygous for dominant white, all the kittens in the litter will be copper eyed whites.  If one parent is heterozygous for dominant white then the litter will be mixed with some whites (approximately 50%) and whatever colors you would normally get from the two parents if the one were NOT heterozygous for the white factor.

Since there is an underlying color present when the dominant white is present, we say the white is masking whatever color/pattern you would have if the dominant white were not present.

If the bicolor gene (also a dominant) is also present, you can get blue eyes or odd eyes instead of copper eyes.

I hope this helps.  If not please get back to me for more clarification.

Best regards... Norm.