Is Torbie coloring on a cat specific to the Maine Coon breed?

Question

I just got a kitten and from what I'm seeing is that her coloring is what is called Torbie a combination between Tabby and Tortie. I've noticed while researching this coloring that when i look it up mostly what comes up is sites aboout Maine Coon cats. I was wondering if this is specific to that breed or not.

Answer 1

No, it isn't.  Torbie can appear in lots of cat breeds as well as cats of no particular breed - which is likely what your cat is.  97% of the cats on this PLANET are of no particular breed.  I see LOTS of Torbies at the shelter I volunteer at.

Maine Coons are just one of the most popular breeds which is why you're seeing so many sites with Torbie Maine Coons.

Answer 2

no its not.  I think its more common in mutts.  My kitty is a domestic short hair (aka mutt) and she is a Torbie.  I like it i think it makes her special.  Tortoiseshell cats just mean they have two different colors of fur, brown or black, and orange.  Most of them are females because the color gene is carried on the X chromosome, so to have two colors, you need two X chromosomes.  Tabby is just a word to describe the pattern of the fur.

Answer 3

NO, its not just Maine Coon Specific. It can happen in any cat. Its a Color Pattern. Its common with cats that carry, a Tortishell gene, Tabby, and Calico Genes. Torbies are generally always female.

Answer 4

No, every daughter of a red father must be a torbie or tortie. Torbie means tortie tabby which is the "stripey" edition of a tortie/ tortoiseshell cat. Only exception there: if the mother IS already a torbie/tortie there may be red girls coming from a mating with a red sire.

Girls get one x-chromosome from each parent. From a red male they can only get red. When the mother gives them a black x, they will come out as a torbie/tortie (= black & red), if he mother gives them a red x, they will come out red (= red & red).

This is very simplified, leaving out other colour modifiers but I hope the answer is understandable.