Bicolor with White in British Shorthair Cats

Bicolor with white is one of the most popular and recognizable coat patterns in British Shorthair cats. This coloration combines a solid base color with white, where white typically covers 30–50% of the body.

Characteristics of the Bicolor Pattern

• Clear and well-defined separation between the base color and white

• White areas are commonly found on the chest, belly, paws, and face

• Symmetry is highly valued: an even facial mask, neat white paws, and balanced color distribution

Bicolor can appear with any base color, including:

• Blue bicolor

• Black bicolor

• Chocolate bicolor

• Lilac bicolor

Important to Know

Bicolor is not the same as van or harlequin:

• Bicolor: balanced distribution of color and white

• Harlequin: significantly more white than color

• Van: almost entirely white, with color limited to the head and tail

The cat’s sex does not affect the bicolor pattern. Bicolor occurs equally in both males and females.

Tortoiseshell Color in British Shorthair Cats

The tortoiseshell (tortie) coat is a combination of two colors:

• Black and red

• Or their diluted versions: blue and cream, chocolate and cream, lilac and cream

Each tortoiseshell cat has a unique pattern—no two are ever identical.

Why Tortoiseshell Cats Are Almost Always Female

The tortoiseshell pattern is sex-linked genetically.

• The red color gene is located on the X chromosome

• Female cats have two X chromosomes (XX), allowing them to carry and express two different colors

• Male cats have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), which normally allows for only one color

Why Tortoiseshell Males Are Extremely Rare

A tortoiseshell male can occur only due to a rare genetic condition known as XXY.

Such males:

• Are extremely rare

• Are almost always sterile

• Are not used in breeding programs

For this reason, the tortoiseshell pattern is considered an almost exclusively female coloration and is highly valued in breeding.

Tortoiseshell with White

Tortoiseshell with white combines the classic tortoiseshell pattern with white spotting. These cats are especially striking and high-contrast. Genetically, they are still tortoiseshell cats and therefore always female.