208 



" TOPSY OF MEREVALE." 



THE PROPERTY OF MRS. BIGNELL. 



(Photo: O, Hardee, Chislelmrst.) 



CHAPTER XVII. 



TORTOISESHELL PERSIANS. 



MANY years ago, when I first took up 

 the cat iancy, I used to think tor- 

 toiseshells ugly and commonplace, and 

 I am afraid even now I have not that 

 admiration for the breed which I feel a 

 really good specimen of this variety ought 

 to inspire. To begin with, it is seldom that 

 a true type of long-haired tortoiseshell is 

 seen or exhibited, and perhaps this may 

 account for the breed being so much neg- 

 lected. They are not taking-looking cats, 

 and make a poor show in the pen. I have 

 often remarked, however, that this is a favourite 

 breed with the sterner sex, and that our pro- 

 fessional men judges will almost invariably 

 pick out a tortoiseshell when judging an " any- 

 other colour " class, and give it some mark of 

 distinction. This may be accounted for by 

 the fact that, of all varieties, a really good 

 tortoiseshell is most difficult to breed, and 

 therefore any specimen approaching perfection 

 should be encouraged. There are splashed and 

 sable tortoiseshells. and tortoiseshell tabbies, 

 all handsome cats of their kind, but not the 

 genuine article. Real tortoiseshells may be 

 called tricolour cats, for they should bear three 

 colours, like a tortoiseshell comb, on their 



bodies, namely black, red, and yellow, in 

 distinct patches or blotches, solid in colour and 

 well broken up, with no trace of stripes, bars, 

 or tabby markings. A brindling effect is to 

 be avoided, and a white spot on chin is a great 

 blemish. It is most undesirable that the black 

 should predominate, in which case the specimen 

 will lack brilliancy. The three colours should, 

 if possible, be pretty evenly distributed over 

 the body, legs, and tail, and should not run 

 into each other. The red and yellow may 

 preponderate over the black with good effect. 

 A blaze, so called, up the face is considered 

 correct, and this should be of the red or yellow, 

 and in a straight line from the nose upwards. 

 This is a very distinctive feature in the breed, 

 and one that judges will look for in a good 

 show specimen. It is incorrect for the tail to 

 be in any way ringed with the colours. The 

 texture of the coat is often coarser and more 

 hairy in this breed, and it is not usually so long 

 and flowing as in other varieties of Persian 

 cats. There is no difference of opinion as to 

 the correct colour for the eyes of tortoiseshells. 

 They should be a bright golden or orange, and 

 these seem in perfect harmony with the colour- 

 ing of the coat. Tortoiseshells never attain 



