Traits

Also known as Karpati, Roan (KK/Kk) is a Dominant gene that causes a cat to be born with extra white hairs that darken over time.

Roan cats can become fully colored with only occasional white speckling, present as salt and pepper (black/gray with white speckling), or present white points (like an inverse Siamese/Colorpoint.)

White genes overlap all other markings. There are several different kinds of white genes.

White Spotting is the most common white gene. A cat can either have no white (ww), low white spotting (WSw which has 1-50% coverage) and high white spotting (WSWS which has 51-100% coverage).

These are basic ranges for Low Spotting (Left 2) and High Spotting (Right Two). These are only guidelines to give you a rough idea of how much a cat with White Spotting should have.

See Also: Dominant White, White Spotting, White Gloves, Albino

White genes overlap all other markings. There are several different kinds of white genes.

Dominant White (WDWD, WDw, WDW,  WDwg) is a dominant gene (surprise!), that presents as a 100% white cat, covering all markings. These cats often have blue eyes and are more likely to be deaf than their counterparts, but are not required to have either.

See Also: White Spotting, White Gloves, Albino

White genes overlap all other markings. There are several different kinds of white genes.

White Gloves (wgwg) is a recessive gene that results in white paws. A carrier of this gene that also has White Spotting will have white paws and optionally any amount of white spotting, while a cat who has two copies of this gene will only show white on their paws.

Examples:

• ww - No white (unless Albino is present)
  
• wgw - No white
  
• wgwg - White gloves
• WSwg- White Spotting with White Gloves
• WDwg- Dominant White carrying White Glove

See Also: White Spotting, Dominant White, Albino

Curled Ears (AcAc or Acac) is a dominant gene that causes the ear pinnae to curl or sweep back on themselves, and are rigid to the touch.

Folded Ears (ScSc or Scsc) is a dominant gene that causes the ear pinnae to be weak, resulting in ears that fold over on themselves.

In New Paths, having two copies of this gene results in a cat being stillborn.

Absent Pinnae (apap) is a rare, recessive mutation that causes cats to be born without ear pinnae.

Duplicate Pinnae (dpdp) is a rare, recessive mutation that causes cats to be born with a second, smaller, pair of ears behind the normal ears. These are apparently non-functional and may be no more than ear flaps with no middle or inner ear section. This can also manifest as “butterfly” ears, with lobbed pinnae.

Asian Bobtail (JpJp or Jpjp) is a Dominant gene that causes tail kinking and shortening. A cat with one copy of this gene will have a slightly shorter than normal tail with a kink, known as Kinked Tail, while a cat with two copies will have a kinked bobtail. This most resembles a rabbit’s “cottontail” tail. 

"jp" is the gene for a regular tail and is used with all tail mutations that interact with each other.

See also: Manx Bobtail

Kinked Tail (Jpjp) vs. Asian Bobtail (JpJp)

Manx Bobtail (Mbjp) is a dominant gene that causes a cat to have a shorter tail or no tail at all. The main difference from Asian Bobtails is that Manx tails do not have natural kinks.

Additionally, in New Paths, having two copies of this gene results in a cat being stillborn.

"jp" is the gene for a regular tail and is used with all tail mutations that interact with each other.

See also: Asian Bobtail

The Ringtail gene (rtrt) causes a cat’s tail to curl towards its back. This has several variations, with some cats able to uncurl their tail, others being almost prehensile, or partially stiff and unable to uncurl.

This is a recessive gene, so a cat with (jptr) would be only a carrier of the gene.

Munchkin (Mkmk) is a dominant gene that causes a cat to be born with smaller legs in proportion to the rest of their bodies.

Additionally, in New Paths, having two copies of this gene results in a cat being stillborn.

Polydactyl Toes (PdPd or Pdpd) is a dominant gene that results in a cat with multiple toes. There are several variations of how this gene can present, from having a large “thumb foot” to having a double foot where the whole paw is duplicated as a mirror image.

Despite being a dominant gene, a cat with only one copy of this gene may or may not present as polydactyl, whichever the artist prefers.