What Breed Is My Tuxedo Cat? 5 Ways To Tell

Cats are one of the most common pets in the world, mostly because of their unique personalities and their striking looks. You’ve probably seen or even owned a cat whose colors are very similar to tuxedos—certainly one of the most unique coat patterns out there!

We are here to tell you all about tuxedo cats and what breeds usually come in this unique pattern.

What Is A Tuxedo Cat?

Tuxedo cats are bicolored cats with a black and white fur pattern resembling formal menswear called tuxedos. Many cats have this type of pattern; some are mixed, and some are pure breeds, but they are all stunning. Any combination of black and white patterns on cats can be called a tuxedo, but the most common variety is a black body and a white chest area, and sometimes they even have a black mark on their chest that looks like a tie.

Commonly, their paws are also white, so they look like they are wearing little white boots or gloves!

Black & White Bicolor Cat Breeds

As we already said, many cat breeds come with this pattern, for example:

British and American Shorthair cats are very popular cat breeds that have stocky and muscular bodies and dense coats. There are some differences between these breeds, but both can come with a tuxedo pattern. The same goes for long-haired cats such as Persian and Maine Coon. They both have thick, beautiful fur, so you can imagine how they look in black and white!

The 5 Ways to Tell Your Tuxedo Cat’s Breed

1. Coat

Some colors and textures of the coat are tied to particular breeds. For instance, Siamese cats have a unique coat; their head, ears, paws, and tails are different shades than the rest of their body. As we already said, this is not the case with tuxedo cats because their pattern is found in many different breeds.

For example, if your cat has long and dense fur, they may be a Persian or Maine Coon, and if your cat has a short but shiny coat, you may have an English Shorthair cat. However, the coat is not a conclusive sign of a breed by any means, as many mixed breeds have the same coat characteristics.

2. Size

Measuring your cat’s size is also a way to determine your cat’s breed. There are a variety of sizes that cats come in. Many tuxedo cats are mixed breeds, but this isn’t always the case. Mixed breeds, on average, weigh around 10–12 pounds. But Maine Coons can get up to 25 pounds, so if your tuxedo cat is a giant, maybe you have a Maine Coon cat on your hands!

3. Head Shape

Another way to determine your cat’s breed is to look at the shape of its head. For example, Persian and English Shorthair cats tend to have round and flat faces, while Siamese cats have more narrow and angular faces. Some species also have unique ear features—for instance, Maine Coon cats tend to have tufts coming from the top of their ears, which makes their ears very pointy and beautiful. But not all Maine Coon cats grow ear tufts, so it isn’t the most reliable characteristic. Also, breeds such as American and Scottish Curls have curled ears, making them very recognizable.

4. Behavioral Traits

It is not easy to determine cat breeds just by their behavior, but some personality traits are tied to certain breeds. For instance, Maine Coon cats are often described as loving and intelligent. On the other hand, Persian cats are often thought of as not very active, but, commonly, they form powerful bonds with their owners.

5. DNA Test

Finally, the most reliable source on how to tell your cat’s breed is to do a DNA test. This way, you can not only look at your cat’s genetics but also determine if they have any inherited traits or health conditions. Your cat may be a mix of different breeds or purebred; either way, the test will tell you accurate information. Many DNA tests are available on the market, but they are not the most affordable. Still, we suggest that you consult with your veterinarian beforehand to ensure which test is suitable for your cat.

Final Thoughts

Tuxedo cats are pretty common, but that doesn’t make them less beautiful and unique. While there are some ways to help you determine your tuxedo cat’s breed, a DNA test is the only conclusive method. As we said, your tuxedo cat might be a mixture of different breeds, or maybe they are purebred—either way, they are pretty awesome!

Featured Image Credit: Donna_la, Shutterstock