Expert: Marcia Owen - 2/14/2011

Question
I purchased a Persian stud cat for breeding purposes that is registered as a chocolate. I was told by another breeder that he looks like a seal mink point which is normally a color of the Ragdoll breed. I am wanting to breed him with a red female to try to get tortoiseshell kittens. His dad is a chocolate and his mom is a chocolate calico. I have sent samples to U.C.Davis for color testing but have not received them yet. If he is not a pure chocolate will the results be the same as a chocolate if bred with a red since he has visual chocolate and his dad and mom both have visual chocolate? I am as of yet not very good with the color charts etc. They are so confusing and I am still trying to get the hang of them. I want to purchase a red female but I do not want to get one if the results are not what I am hoping for.

Answer
Dear Linda

With a chocolate stud and red queen you would expect the following colours

Remember the Y chromosome restricts colour and pattern.
Chocolate is a dilute

Males will be
Red and Cream

Females will be
Tortie
Blue-cream
Chocolate tortie
Lilac cream

If the queen is a tabby you could get female torbies

You could mate the boy to either Cream or lilac-cream and still get torties

I hope you get your colour test back soon so you know where you are gong.

Regards

Marcia.