CHAPTER XXIII 



THE SHORT-HAIRED RED TABBY CAT 



THIS variety is remarkable in two ways : the males are 

 usually the only mates available for Tortoiseshell and 

 Tortoiseshell and White females, for those desiring to 

 perpetuate either of those two colours ; and females of 

 this variety free from white markings are considered 

 more scarce than those of any other kind of female short- 

 haired cat. 



For some reason, which I have never heard explained, 

 the best short-haired Tabbies Red, Brown and Silver 

 seem to have emanated from the North of England, Lan- 

 cashire, Durham and Yorkshire in particular, and many 

 of the greatest prize-winners of the past, as well as most 

 of the best known now, appear to have come from these 

 counties. 



A really well-marked Red Tabby, in good form, is a 

 very handsome animal, and worthy of admiration. 



The illustrations to this sketch are Champion Balloch- 

 myle Perfection, the property of Lady Alexander, and 

 probably one of the best ever exhibited ; the other, Lord 

 Rufus, a great winner, was first exhibited at a small show 

 in Wiltshire, where he was claimed by the Rev. D. G. 



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