Types of Tabby

Whether or not a cat expresses their Tabby Pattern is determined by the Agouti gene. Regardless if they express or not, all cats have a Tabby Pattern characterized by a combination of the Ticking gene, Spotting gene and Pattern gene. 

The Pattern genes, Mackerel (Mc) and Classic (mc) are the base of a Tabby pattern.
The Spotting gene (Sp) modifies the pattern, turning a Mackerel tabby into a Spotted mackerel tabby and a Classic tabby into a Spotted classic tabby.
Ticking (Ta) modifies them even further, turning the spots into tiny flecks along the body, to the point where the original pattern is indistinguishable. 

Spotted Tabby

Spotted tabby breaks the regular stripes into spots!

There are various degrees to which spotting can show. At the very least it should affect the body, but it can also extend towards the legs and tail. It can sometimes affect cheek stripes too. 

Ticked Tabby

Ticking breaks the stripe pattern into tiny dots or flecks of color, depending on the dominance of the ticking. 

Residually Ticked Tabby

When there is one allele present (Ta ta) this is called residually ticked. In this form of ticking, stripes on the face, tail and legs remain untouched, whilst the body has the stripes broken down into tiny flecks. 

We allow various ways to show ticking. Below you'll find examples of already accepted methods, but if you have a personal brush or a particular way to draw ticking and are uncertain if it's acceptable or not, feel free to ask an admin!

Notes:

• The gradient used for Gradient Ticking must be the same color as the stripes. The gradient should be the darkest at the spine.

• You can combine any of the ticking styles together. Most commonly, Gradient/Tool ticking are combined with hand drawn. 

• You may optionally include stripes in the chest and/or spine. 

• Tools and brushes used to draw ticking should be highly textured for best results. 

• Gradient ticking, while allowed, is the least favorable to show on its own. If, for example, high white were to show only the body gradient, you'll be asked to show some flecking (it doesn't matter if it's hand drawn or textured) to avoid the cat appearing like a solid. 

• Residually ticked stripes will always show their corresponding tabby type whenever visible. Stripes should always have a similar coverage on the legs as the example below.

Fully Ticked Tabby

When there are two alleles present (Ta Ta) this is known as Fully ticked. In this form of ticking, all of the stripes break down into tiny scattered flecks with the only exception of forehead stripes. Forehead stripes must always be present.  

We allow the same styles for Fully ticked tabbies as we do for residually ticked tabbies. Below you'll see examples of how each style would look as a fully ticked tabby.

Other notes

• The maximum size for any ticking is this:

When doing fully ticked and using a gradient, there are some things that should be taken into consideration.

• Ticking should be restricted to the following areas, in order to allow enough space for the base color and, optionally, the undercoat to show. 

• We will always recommend accompanying this look with some form of texture, even if minimal, to avoid the cat appearing as a solid cat. 

• You must never hide the forehead stripes with white spotting or any other marking.

• Ticking should be fully blended, rather than defined by a soft-edged.