what kind of cat am I?

Question
My wife and I adopted a kitty...we're not quite sure where she hails from.  She's definitely a horse of another color (we've never seen a cat like her before).  We have pictures of her, and would like any suggestions as to her heritage.  She has white feet/paws.  From her feet up to her body, she is black.  Her body is tan.  The white from her nose, goes from her nose to her chest (area).  And she has a black tail.  She is a slender kitty with a very timid personality.  We love her to bits, but would love to know a little more about her whereabouts.  We'll send pics if it will help!!!

Thanks,
Mom and Pop Boisvert

Answer
It sounds to me as though what you have is a mixed breed cat that has inherited the bicolor gene (also known as the piebald spotting gene) and the pointed gene. When these two genes work together, they can produce colorations similar to what you would see in a Birman, a Ragdoll or a Snowshoe. You might want to take a look at the CFA web page (www.cfainc.org) for pictures of the first two breeds to see if there is a resemblance. You'd need to do a web search for Snowshoes as they are not recognized by CFA so I can't tell you where to find them.

Color is just one part of a breed, and a lot of breeders consider it the least important part. The underlying structure, details such as the size and shape of the ears and eyes, the coat length and texture. . . these are just a few of the other characteristics that set different cat breeds apart. It sounds as though you have a very special, unique kitty and I'm glad you appreciate her for the wonderful individual she is. You might want to consider showing her as a household pet at a CFA show, if you can find one near you. That's a great way to get more information about her color and ancestry.

Hope this helps

iris