Is a tabby cat a breed?

Last updated: 2026-10-12

Short answer: No, tabby is a coat pattern, not a breed. It shows up in many breeds and in everyday house cats. Most tabbies have a mark shaped like the letter "M" on the forehead. Ginger and calico are also colour and pattern names, not breeds. The Turkish Van, Turkish Angora and Siamese, on the other hand, are recognised breeds.

The tabby patterns

Cat lovers usually describe four tabby patterns: mackerel (thin vertical stripes like a fish skeleton), classic (large swirls on the sides), spotted (stripes broken into spots) and ticked (light and dark bands on each hair, few visible stripes).

Ginger, calico, tuxedo…

We name cats by colour in everyday language: an orange tabby is a ginger, a white cat with orange and black patches is a calico, a black-and-white cat is a tuxedo. None of these are breeds.

What is a breed?

A breed is a group of cats with a written standard recognised by registries such as the CFA. Two internationally recognised breeds come from Türkiye: the Turkish Van and the Turkish Angora.

In Tekir

Tekir (Turkish for "tabby") has 13 breeds and patterns: start with a Tabby, Ginger, Smoky or Tuxedo, then meet the Turkish Van, Turkish Angora, Siamese, Calico and the dreamy Mint, Lavender and Midnight.

FAQ

Do all tabbies have an M on the forehead?

Most tabby cats have a marking that looks like an M on the forehead.

Is a ginger cat a breed?

No, ginger describes an orange tabby; it is a colour and pattern.

Sources

This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Talk to a vet about decisions on your cat's health.

Google Play