HEAD: Large and round, with good breadth of skull, well set on a short, thick neck. It has a round face, with round underlying bone structure, and has rounded contours when seen from any perspective. In profile, it has a rounded skull, which has equal depth front and back, curving down to only a slight indentation in the bridge of the nose and a firm, deep chin.
EARS: Small, well furnished, rounded at the tips, set well apart and fitting into the rounded contour of the skull.
EYES: Large, round, well-opened, creating a pleasing expression. They are also level and set wide apart with at least the width of an eye between them to emphasize the breadth of the nose.
NOSE: Short, straight and broad. It has a slight indentation in profile, but not a definite nose break or stop.
CHEEKS: Broad and well rounded.
JAWS: Strong and well defined, with the lower jaw fitting smoothly into the broad sweep of the muzzle.
CHIN: Firm. In profile, of good depth and in a vertical line with the tip of the nose.
NECK: Short, thick and heavily muscled, especially in males.
BODY: Medium to large, well-knit, powerful, muscular and with a short, level back. The chest is broad, deep, well-rounded and is equally massive across the shoulders and rump, balanced by having depth of flank and being low on the legs. The body should be in proportion to the rest of the cat.
LEGS: Short, well boned and strong, with straight forelegs. There should be no tendency to taper into fine legs or small feet.
PAWS: Round and firm.
TAIL: Short and thick, in proportion to the body. It is thick at the base, with a slight taper and a rounded tip.
CONDITION: Hard and muscular.
SCALE OF POINTS
Head and neck 20
Ears 5
Eye shape 5 30
Body 20
Legs and paws 10
Tail 5 35
Coat texture and length 10
Condition 5 15
Eye colour 5
Coat colour and pattern 15 20
Total 100
FAULTS / PENALTIES
REFER TO GENERAL LIST OF FAULTS FOR ALL BREEDS, PLUS:
PENALISE:
Oriental or recessed eye shape.
Definite nose break or stop.
Pronounced muzzle pinch, prominent or squared muzzle.
Weak chin.
Overlong tail.
White patches in non-patched varieties.
White hairs in coloured parts of coat.
Incorrect coat texture or coat length in adults.
Open coat in adults.
Soft or fluffy tail.
WITHHOLD:
Any resemblance to foreign type.
Fine boning.
COAT AND COLOUR
COAT LENGTH AND TEXTURE: Coat is short, dense and crisp. When the hand is gently run up the coat, the coat bounces back without leaving gaps. Density and bounce vary according to the actual coat colour and pattern, though ideally all colours have the texture of the British Blue. Kitten coats are commonly less dense and less crisp and are likely to have less bounce. Allowance should be made for this.
EYE RIMS AND NOSE LEATHER: To harmonise with coat colour. Some allowance may be made for freckling on orange gene cats.
PAW PADS: To harmonise with coat colour.
SOLID COLOUR GROUP
Coat is to be uniform all over the body, sound and even to the roots, free from shading, white hairs or tabby markings in adults. Slight ghost barring and/or spotting is likely in dilute colours, especially in Blues and Creams, in kittens and should not be penalised. Allowance should be made for tabby markings in Reds and Creams. Light undercoat is a fault.
BLACK
Coat colour: Jet-black to the roots. There should be no rusty tinge in adults, though it is permissible in kittens.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange, deep orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Black.
Paw pads: Black.
WHITE
Coat colour: Pure, sparkling white, untinged with yellow. White kittens commonly have a coloured spot on the top of the head, ranging from a few hairs to a considerable patch. They should not be penalised for this.
Eye colour: In Blue-eyed Whites - blue, the deeper the better.
In Odd-eyed Whites - one eye blue (the deeper the better), the other ranges from deep gold through to orange, deep orange or copper, with no green rim or flecks.
In Orange-eyed Whites - ranges from deep gold through to orange, deep orange or copper, with no green rim or flecks.
Nose leather: Pink.
Paw pads: Pink.
BLUE:
Coat colour: Light to medium blue, sound to the roots, with darker tones undesirable. Silver tipping is a fault.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange, deep orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Blue.
Paw pads: Blue.
CHOCOLATE
Coat colour: Any shade of chocolate, sound to the roots, but rich, warm, milk chocolate is preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Chocolate with a pinkish tone.
Paw pads: Chocolate with a pinkish tone.
LILAC
Coat colour: Warm, soft grey with a pinkish undertone, sound to the roots. While any shade ranging from mushroom pink to soft grey is acceptable, dark or cold tones are undesirable.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Lavender pink, paler in kittens.
Paw pads: Lavender pink, paler in kittens.
CINNAMON
Coat colour: Rich, reddish brown, with brighter shades preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Light tan to pink.
Paw pads: Light tan to pink.
FAWN
Coat colour: Pale, warm pinkish fawn, even throughout and with paler shades preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Fawn to pink.
Paw pads: Fawn to pink.
CARAMEL
Coat colour: Cold, bluish fawn, with a slight metallic overtone. Paler shades are preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Bluish fawn.
Paw pads: Bluish fawn.
RED
Coat colour: Deep, rich, clear, brilliant red, sound to the roots, preferably without shading or marking of any kind. Slight tabby markings on the head and legs are undesirable, but should not be penalised in an otherwise excellent cat. The lips and chin are the same colour as the coat.
Eye colour: Ranges from orange through to deep orange, copper or deep copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Brick red.
Paw pads: Brick red.
CREAM
Coat colour: Pale, even shades of cream, sound to the roots, preferably without shading or markings of any kind. Dark or hot shades of cream are a fault. The lips and chin are the same colour as the coat.
Eye colour: Ranges from orange through to deep orange, copper or deep copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Dusty pink.
Paw pads: Dusty pink.
SILVER GROUP
SMOKE PATTERN
The Smoke is a cat of contrasts, having an undercoat as white as possible with the hair tips shading to defined colours. In repose, it looks solid in colour, while in motion the undercoat is clearly apparent. The mask, ears, tail, legs and feet are solid in colour with a narrow band of white at the base of the hairs next to the skin. This is usually seen when the fur is parted. The flanks and belly may have less solid tipping .
Definition of colour is less likely to be seen on patched and intermingled Smokes than on solid colours, though it should still be aimed for.
Smoke kittens undergo many coat changes. Often, pigmentation is lost as moulting approaches. At this time, darkening appears at the roots and sometimes before maturity there are three colours on the hair fibres, sometimes even reversing the desired pattern. Smoke kittens should also not be penalised for ghost tabby markings. Rufousing is a fault in Black or Blue Silvers.
BLACK SMOKE
Coat colour: Deeply tipped with black, with a white or pale silver undercoat.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange, deep orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Black.
Paw pads: Black.
BLUE SMOKE
Coat colour: Blue, preferably in paler shades, with a white or pale silver undercoat.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange, deep orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Blue.
Paw pads: Blue.
CHOCOLATE SMOKE
Coat colour: Any shade of chocolate, though rich, warm, milk chocolate is preferred, with a pale silver undercoat. Darker shades of chocolate are more likely than in Solid Chocolates.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Chocolate, with a pinkish tone.
Paw pads: Chocolate, with a pinkish tone.
LILAC SMOKE
Coat colour: Warm, soft, pinkish grey, with a pale silver undercoat.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Lavender pink, paler in kittens.
Paw pads: Lavender pink, paler in kittens.
CINNAMON SMOKE
Coat colour: Rich, reddish brown over a white undercoat. Brighter shades preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Light tan to pink, toning with coat colour.
Paw pads: Light tan to pink, toning with coat colour.
FAWN SMOKE
Coat colour: Pale, warm pinkish fawn over a white undercoat. Paler shades preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Fawn to pink, toning with coat colour.
Paw pads: Fawn to pink, toning with coat colour.
CARAMEL SMOKE
Coat colour: Cold, bluish fawn with a slight metallic overtone, over a white undercoat. Paler shades preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Bluish fawn, toning with coat colour.
Paw pads: Bluish fawn, toning with coat colour.
RED SMOKE
Coat colour: Deep, rich red, with a white undercoat, preferably free from shading or markings of any kind. Very slight tabby markings on the head and legs are undesirable, but should not be penalised in an otherwise excellent exhibit.
Eye colour: Ranges from orange through to deep orange, copper or deep copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Brick red.
Paw pads: Brick red.
CREAM SMOKE
Coat colour: Pale, even shades of cream, with a white undercoat, preferably free from shading or markings of any kind. Dark or hot shades of cream are a fault. The lips and chin are the same colour as the coat.
Eye colour: Ranges from orange through to deep orange, copper or deep copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Dusty pink.
Paw pads: Dusty pink.
BLACK TORTOISESHELL SMOKE
Coat colour: Patches of black, with varying shades of red and/or cream of equal amount, with each colour to be as brilliant as possible, shading to silver on the flanks, with silver ear tufts and the undercoat as close to white as possible . The mask, ears, tail, legs and feet are coloured in the same way, without other markings of any kind. A red or cream blaze on the face is desirable.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange, deep orange or brilliant copper.
Nose leather: Pink and/or black, plain or blotched.
Paw pads: Pink and/or black, plain or blotched.
BLUE TORTOISESHELL SMOKE
Coat colour: Blue and cream, patched and/or softly intermingled and of equal amount, preferably in paler shades. It shades to silver on the flanks, with silver ear tufts and a white undercoat. The mask, ears, tail, legs and feet are coloured in the same way, without other markings of any kind. A cream blaze on the face is desirable.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange, deep orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Blue, plain or blotched with pink, to harmonise with the coat colour.
Paw pads: Blue, plain or blotched with pink, to harmonise with the coat colour.
CHOCOLATE TORTOISESHELL SMOKE
Coat colour: Patches of chocolate and varying shades of red and/or cream of equal amount, with each colour to be as brilliant as possible, shading to silver on the flanks, with silver ear tufts and the undercoat as close to white as possible. Rich, warm, milk chocolate is preferred, though any shade of chocolate is accepted and darker shades are more likely than in Solid Chocolates. The mask, ears, tail, legs and feet are coloured in the same way, without markings of any other kind. A red or cream blaze on the face is desirable.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange, deep orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Pink and/or chocolate, plain or blotched.
Paw pads: Pink and/or chocolate, plain or blotched.
LILAC TORTOISESHELL SMOKE
Coat colour: Warm, pinkish grey and cream, patched and/or softly intermingled and of equal amount, preferably in paler shades. It shades to silver on the flanks, with silver ear tufts and a white undercoat. The mask, ears, tail, legs and feet are intermingled in the same way, without other markings of any kind. A small amount of patching should not be penalised on an otherwise excellent exhibit. A cream blaze on the face is desirable.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Lavender pink or cream, plain or blotched, to harmonise with coat colour.
Paw pads: Lavender pink or cream, plain or blotched, to harmonise with coat colour.
CINNAMON TORTOISESHELL SMOKE
Coat colour: Bright shades of rich, reddish brown with varying shades of red and/or cream over a white undercoat. Colours are to be warm and bright.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Light tan or pink, plain or blotched.
Paw pads: Light tan or pink, plain or blotched.
FAWN TORTOISESHELL SMOKE
Coat colour: Pale, warm pinkish fawn and varying shades of cream over a white undercoat. Paler shades are preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Fawn or pink, plain or blotched.
Paw pads: Fawn or pink, plain or blotched.
CARAMEL TORTOISESHELL SMOKE
Coat colour: Cold bluish fawn and varying shades of red and/or cream, with a slight metallic overtone, over a white undercoat. Paler shades are preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Bluish fawn or pink, plain or blotched.
Paw pads: Bluish fawn or pink, plain or blotched.
TIPPED PATTERN
COAT COLOUR: The coat on the head, ears, back, flanks and tail is tipped evenly with colour to give a sparkling effect. Even distribution of tipping rather than the degree of tipping is of paramount importance. Heavily tipped cats should not be penalised as long as they are free from markings and are preferable to cats which carry so little tipping that they appear white. Legs may be very slightly shaded with tipping, but the ear tufts, chin, chest, stomach and under the tail must be white or the appropriate light ground colour.
EYE COLOUR: Cats with black or blue tipping have emerald green or blue-green eyes, preferably emerald green. Otherwise, eye colour ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, depending on the coat colour, with no trace of green. Rims of eyes are to harmonise with coat tipping.
NOSE LEATHER: Shades of pink or brick red, depending on coat colour and outlined in colour to harmonise with the tipping.
PAW PADS: Shades of pink, brick red or black, depending on coat colour, and outlined in colour to harmonise with the tipping.
SILVER
BLACK SILVER
Coat colour: Tipped with black. The undercoat is to be as white as possible.
Eye colour: Blue green or green, green preferred. Eyes outlined with a narrow band of black.
BLUE SILVER
Coat colour: Tipped with blue. The undercoat is to be as white as possible.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper.
CHOCOLATE SILVER
Coat colour: Tipped with any shade of chocolate, though rich, warm, milk chocolate is preferred. The undercoat is to be as white as possible.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper.
LILAC SILVER
Coat colour: Tipped with warm, pinkish grey Undercoat is to be as white as possible.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper.
CINNAMON SILVER
Coat colour: Tipped with rich, reddish brown, with brighter shades preferred. The undercoat is to be as white as possible.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper.
FAWN SILVER
Coat colour: Tipped with pale, warm pinkish fawn, with paler shades preferred. The undercoat is to be as white as possible.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper.
CARAMEL SILVER
Coat colour: Tipped with cold, bluish fawn with a slight metallic overtone. The undercoat is to be as white as possible.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper.
RED SILVER
Coat colour: Tipped with deep, rich red. The undercoat is to be as white as possible.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange and deep copper.
CREAM SILVER
Coat colour: Tipped with cream, preferably in paler shades. The undercoat is to be as white as possible, though it is likely to be less white than other colours.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or deep copper.
TORTOISESHELL SILVER
Coat colour: The colour of the tipping on the ends of the hair fibres is the same as the Tortoiseshell colour description, with the same range of Tortoiseshell colours. Undercoat is to be as white as possible.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, to harmonise with tipping.
GOLDEN
Coat colour: May be developed in a range of colours, though Goldens are currently bred only as the Black Golden. Surface colour is seal brown. Undercoat is rich, warm cream. They may be tipped or shaded.
Eye colour: Cats with black or blue tipping have emerald green or blue-green eyes, preferably emerald green. In other colours of tipping, eye colour should range from deep gold through to orange, deep orange, copper or deep copper.
FAULTS / PENALTIES
PENALISE:
Shading on coat.
Lack of adequate tipping.
Tabby markings on adults.
Heavily-coloured hocks on non-shaded varieties.
BROKEN COLOUR GROUP
TABBY PATTERN
British Shorthairs are recognised in classic, mackerel and spotted tabby patterns. The description of these patterns is found in the list that precedes the breed standards.
GENERAL: All tabbies have the following markings in common:
A scarab or "M" on the forehead.
Unbroken stripes running back from the outer corner of the eyes to meet a broken line running from the corners of the mouth and narrow pencillings on the cheeks and around the eyes and nose.
Darker-spotted whisker pads.
Solid-coloured ears, which must show a thumb print.
One or more necklaces.
Vest buttons or abdominal spots.
Identical markings on both sides of the body.
Distinctly and evenly barred legs.
Solid colour on the back of the hind legs from paw to hock.
A ringed tail, with as many rings as possible and a solid coloured tip of the same colour as the markings.
Clear definition of markings in all tabby patterns is highly desirable. However, in dilute colours, markings and thumbprints may not be as evident.
Markings and thumbprints may be less distinct in young kittens and they should not be penalised for this.
SPECIFIC TABBY PATTERN DESCRIPTIONS
CLASSIC/BLOTCHED
All markings to be clearly defined and dense.
A series of lines runs from above the "M" on the forehead, back over the top of the head and extending to the shoulder markings. The shoulder markings form the outline of a butterfly when viewed from above. Both upper and lower wings should be clearly defined in outline, with the central areas broken by small areas of ground colour. On each flank there should be a large oyster-shaped patch, which should be surrounded by one or more unbroken rings. On the back there should be an unbroken line running down the spine from the butterfly to the tail, with a parallel stripe on either side of it. The stripes should be separated from each other by stripes of ground colour. On the neck and upper chest there should be unbroken necklaces, the more the better. The legs should be barred evenly with bracelets from the body markings to the feet, which may be spotted.
MACKEREL
The head, legs and tail are marked the same as the Classic/Blotched Tabby. There should be three narrow, preferably unbroken lines running from the back of the head to the base of the tail. The rest of the body is to be covered with narrow parallel-unbroken lines running vertically down from the spine line. These should be as narrow and as numerous as possible.
SPOTTED
The head is marked the same as the Classic/Blotched Tabby. Necklaces are broken or unbroken. Body and legs are to be as spotted as possible. Spots may vary in size and shape. Spots should not run together or become elongated to give any suggestion of mackerel stripes. A dorsal stripe is ideally composed of spots running the length of the body to the tip of the tail. Spotting should be the same on both sides of the body. Rings on the tail may be broken or unbroken.
FAULTS / PENALTIES
ALL TABBIES
PENALISE:
White anywhere (except in Silver Tabbies).
Tail ending in ground colour.
SPOTTED TABBIES
PENALISE: Solid spine line.
Pattern faults such as linked spots, stripes or bars except on the head.
BROWN TABBY
Coat colour: Dense black markings contrasting well with a ground colour of brilliant, coppery brown, including the lips and chin. Hocks should be black.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Brick red or brick red outlined in black or brown.
Paw pads: Black or brown.
BLUE TABBY
Coat colour: Very deep blue markings contrasting well with a ground colour of pale, bluish ivory, including the lips and chin. This gives general warm fawn overtones, but remains within the dilute colour range. Hocks should be deep blue.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Rose pink or rose pink outlined in rose.
Paw pads: Rose.
CHOCOLATE TABBY
Coat colour: Chocolate markings of any shade, though preferably in rich, warm, milk chocolate tones, contrasting well with a ground colour of pale chocolate, including on the lips and chin. Hocks should be darker chocolate.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Chocolate, with a pinkish tone.
Paw pads: Chocolate, with a pinkish tone.
LILAC TABBY
Coat colour: Warm, soft, pinkish grey markings, contrasting well with a ground colour of pale oatmeal, including on the lips and chin. Hocks should be warm, soft, pinkish grey.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold, through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Lavender pink.
Paw pads: Lavender pink.
CINNAMON TABBY
Coat colour: Bright shades of rich, reddish brown markings over a ground colour of warm ivory, including the lips and chin. Brighter shades are preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold, through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Light tan or pink rimmed with light tan, toning with coat colour.
Paw pads: Light tan or pink, toning with coat colour.
FAWN TABBY
Coat colour: Pale, warm pinkish fawn markings over a ground colour of pale ivory, including the lips and chin. Paler shades are preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold, through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Fawn or pink rimmed with fawn, toning with coat colour.
Paw pads: Fawn or pink, toning with coat colour.
CARAMEL TABBY
Coat colour: Cold, bluish fawn markings with a slight metallic overtone, over a ground colour of paler fawn, including the lips and chin.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold, through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Bluish fawn or pink rimmed with fawn, toning with coat colour.
Paw pads: Bluish fawn or pink, toning with coat colour.
RED TABBY
Coat colour: Very deep, rich red markings contrasting with a ground colour of red, including the lips and chin. Hocks should be very deep, rich red.
Eye colour: Ranges from orange, through to deep orange, copper and deep copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Brick red.
Paw pads: Brick red, shading to dark red on the sides.
CREAM TABBY
Coat colour: Markings of sufficiently darker buff or cream to contrast well with a ground colour of very pale cream, including on the lips and chin. Hocks should be darker buff or cream.
Eye colour: Ranges from orange through to deep orange, copper and deep copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Dusty pink.
Paw pads: Dusty pink.
TORTOISESHELL TABBY (TORBIE) VARIETIES
Coat colour: Clearly defined markings, contrasting well with the ground colour. The colour of the tipping on the ends of the hair fibres is the same as for the Tortoiseshell colour description, with the same range of tortoiseshell colours. Distribution of patching is immaterial. Ground colour is appropriate to that of the Tabbies listed, harmonising with, but paler than, the markings.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper and harmonises with the colour of the markings, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Brick red or blotched.
Paw pads: Black, brown or blotched.
FAULTS ON TABBIES OTHER THAN SILVER OR TABBY AND WHITE
PENALISE:
Brindling or white hairs in coloured areas.
Incorrect pattern.
White tip on tail.
White chin or white stomach patch.
SILVER TABBY
Coat colour: Markings that are clearly defined from the ground colour and are recognised in all colours. They contrast well with a ground colour of clear silver, including on the lips and chin.
Eye colour: Green preferred, hazel, orange or copper permissible.
Nose leather: Brick red, with black permissible.
Paw pads: Brick red, with black permissible.
PENALISE:
Brown on the nose or feet, brindling or incorrect pattern.
TABBY AND WHITE
Coat colour: Any accepted tabby colour and clear, brilliant white. The patches of tabby colour are to be evenly distributed, ideally with between half and two-thirds of the coat to be coloured. The face is to be patched with colour and a white blaze on the face is desirable, as is symmetry in pattern. Neither white nor any one colour is to predominate.
Eye colour: To harmonise with the tabby colour, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: To harmonise with the tabby colour and is pink or blotched.
Paw pads: To harmonise with the tabby colour and are pink or blotched.
PENALISE:
Brindling or white hairs in coloured areas, incorrect pattern or a predominance of white.
GENERAL TABBY FAULTS:
PENALISE:
Lack of correct colour on lips and chin.
Broken necklaces.
Non-conformity to tabby pattern.
TORTOISESHELL
BLACK TORTOISESHELL
Coat colour: Well-defined patches of black, with varying shades of red and/or cream, with each colour to be as brilliant as possible, without intermingling. The colours are to be equally balanced, without black predominating. Legs, paws and ears are to be as well patched as the body and head. A red or cream blaze on the face is desirable.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange, deep orange and copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Black or pink, plain or blotched.
Paw pads: Black or pink, plain or blotched.
BLUE TORTOISESHELL (PATCHED)
Coat colour: Well-defined patches of blue and cream, without intermingling. Darker shades are likely. The colours are to be equally balanced. Legs, paws and ears are to be as well patched as the body and head. A cream blaze on the face is desirable.
Eye colour: Deep orange or copper. Green rim or any trace of green a serious fault.
Nose leather: Blue and/or dusty rose, plain or blotched, to harmonise with shade of coat colour.
Paw pads: Blue and/or dusty rose, plain or blotched, to harmonise with shade of coat colour.
BLUE TORTOISESHELL (INTERMINGLED)
Coat colour: Blue and cream, softly intermingled; the effect being of pastel shades, giving the appearance of pale shot silk. Though not desirable, one or two small patches should not be penalised.
Eye colour: Deep orange or copper. Green rim or any trace of green a serious fault.
Nose leather: Blue or dusty rose, plain or blotched, to harmonise with shade of coat colour.
Paw pads: Blue or dusty rose, plain or blotched, to harmonise with shade of coat colour.
CHOCOLATE TORTOISESHELL
Coat colour: Well-defined patches of chocolate and varying shades of red and/or cream, with each colour to be as brilliant as possible, without intermingling. The colours are to be equally balanced, without chocolate predominating. Rich, warm, milk chocolate is preferred, though any shade of chocolate is accepted and darker shades are more likely than in solid Chocolates. Legs, paws and ears are to be as well patched as the body and head. A red or cream blaze on the face is desirable.
Eye colour: Deep orange or copper. Green rim or any trace of green a serious fault.
Nose leather: Pinkish chocolate, rose red or dusty rose, plain or blotched, to harmonise with shade of coat colour.
Paw pads: Pinkish chocolate, rose red or dusty rose, plain or blotched, to harmonise with shade of coat colour.
LILAC TORTOISESHELL (PATCHED)
Coat colour: Well-defined patches of lilac and cream, without intermingling. Darker shades are likely. The colours are to be equally balanced. Legs, paws and ears are to be as well patched as the body and head. A cream blaze on the face is desirable.
Eye colour: Deep orange or copper. Green rim or any trace of green a serious fault.
Nose leather: Lavender pink or dusty rose, plain or blotched, to harmonise with shade of coat colour.
Paw pads: Lavender pink or dusty rose, plain or blotched, to harmonise with shade of coat colour.
LILAC TORTOISESHELL (INTERMINGLED)
Coat colour: Lilac and cream softly intermingled; the effect being of pastel shades, giving the appearance of pale shot silk. Though not desirable, one or two small patches should not be penalised.
Eye colour: Deep orange or copper. Green rim or any trace of green a serious fault.
Nose leather: Lavender pink or dusty rose, plain or blotched, to harmonise with shade of coat colour.
Paw pads: Lavender pink or dusty rose, plain or blotched, to harmonise with shade of coat colour.
NOTE: Slight freckling on a mature tortoiseshell cat should not be penalised, where it may occur on nose, lips, eyelids or ears if they are in areas of red or cream coat colour.
CINNAMON TORTOISESHELL
Coat colour: Bright shades of rich, reddish brown with varying shades of red and/or cream. Colours are to be warm and bright.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Light tan or pink, plain or blotched.
Paw pads: Light tan or pink, plain or blotched.
FAWN TORTOISESHELL
Coat colour: Pale, pinkish fawn and varying shades of cream, with paler shades preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Fawn or pink, plain or blotched.
Paw pads: Fawn or pink, plain or blotched.
CARAMEL TORTOISESHELL
Coat colour: Cold bluish fawn and varying shades of red and/or cream.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or copper, with no trace of green.
Nose leather: Bluish fawn or pink, plain or blotched.
Paw pads: Bluish fawn or pink, plain or blotched.
PENALISE:
Tabby markings.
White anywhere.
Unequal balance of colour.
Intermingling in any but Blue Tortoiseshell (Intermingled) or Lilac Tortoiseshell (Intermingled).
PATCHED PATTERN
BI-COLOUR PATTERN
Coat colour: Accepted in all recognised solid colours, tortoiseshell varieties, tabby patterns with white. The patches are to be clear, even, well-distributed. As a preferred minimum the cat should have white on the feet, legs, underside and chest (approximately 1/3rd). White on face desirable. The patches are to be clear, even, well distributed. Ideally not more than two-thirds of the coat is to be coloured and not more than one half is to be white. The face is to be patched with colour and white. In bicoloured tabbies, markings and ground colour of coloured patches correspond to those of recognised tabby colours. A white blaze up the face is preferred.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or deep copper, without any trace of green.
Nose leather: The basic colour, pink or blotched.
Paw pads: The basic colour, pink or blotched.
PENALISE:
Tabby markings in non-tabbies except in Reds and Creams.
Brindling or white hairs in coloured areas.
Intermingling or unequal balance of colour.
White predominating.
Dark shades in dilute colours.
VAN (HARLEQUIN) PATTERN
Coat colour: Accepted in all recognised colours, tortoiseshell varieties, tabby pattern with white. A predominantly white cat, marked with solid colour and tortoiseshell. White cat with colour confined to the extremities; head, tail and legs. One or two small coloured patches on body allowable. The colour should be restricted to the head and tail. Body and leg patches, when present, should be as small as possible; ideally not larger than a fifty-cent piece and should not run together. The head should not be solid in colour and should ideally have a blaze up the face. Note: Cats having more than two small body spots should be shown in the regular Bi-Colour class.
Eye colour: Ranges from deep gold through to orange or deep copper, without any trace of green.
Nose leather: Pink, or otherwise it corresponds with coat colour on the feet.
Paw pads: Pink, or otherwise they correspond with coat colour on the nose.
PENALISE:
Tabby markings in non-tabbies except in Reds and Creams.
Brindling or white hairs in coloured areas.
Intermingling or unequal balance of colour.
Dark shades in dilute colours.
POINTED GROUP
The coat pattern is to be confined to the extremities i.e. mask, ears, legs, paws and tail. Ideally, the body colour should be clear. The mask, ears, legs, paws and tail should all be the same colour as each other, although the ears are often slightly darker than the other points. Good contrast between body and points is required. While clear coat is preferred, ghost shading in kittens should not be penalised. It should also be remembered that body colour often darkens with age, particularly in Seal Points.
SOLID COLOUR
In solid colour pointed British Shorthairs, point colour is sound and even, with body colour as clear as possible. There should be no white hairs, barring, ticking or brindling. Kittens are generally paler in both point and body colour than adults.
SEAL POINT
Body colour: Cream. Shading, if any, is to tone into pale, warm fawn on the back.
Point colour: Clearly defined dense, seal brown.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Seal brown or black.
Paw pads: Seal brown or black.
BLUE POINT
Body colour: Glacial white. Shading, if any, is to tone with the cold tone of the points, but of a much lighter shade.
Point colour: Blue, with paler shades preferred. Dark shades are undesirable.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Blue.
Paw pads: Blue.
CHOCOLATE POINT
Body colour: Ivory. Shading, if any, is to tone with the point colour, but of a much lighter shade.
Point colour: Warm, milk chocolate, with paler shades preferred.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Chocolate.
Paw pads: Chocolate.
LILAC POINT
Body colour: Off-white (magnolia shade). Shading, if any, is to tone with the point colour, but of a much lighter shade.
Point colour: Soft, warm grey, with pinkish undertones, with paler shades preferred.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Lavender pink, pink in kittens.
Paw pads: Lavender pink, pink in kittens.
CINNAMON POINT
Body colour: Warm ivory. Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Rich, reddish brown, with brighter shades preferred.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Light tan to pink, toning with points.
Paw pads: Light tan to pink, toning with points.
FAWN POINT
Body colour: Very pale ivory. Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Pale, warm pinkish fawn, with paler shades preferred.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Fawn to pink, toning with points.
Paw pads: Fawn to pink, toning with points.
CARAMEL POINT
Body colour: Magnolia (off-white). Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Cold bluish fawn with a slight metallic overtone.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Bluish fawn.
Paw pads: Bluish fawn.
RED POINT
Body colour: White. Shading, if any, is to tone with the point colour, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Bright, reddish gold or deep apricot, with brighter tones preferred. While it is not desirable, there may be slight barring on the mask, legs and tail.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Coral pink.
Paw pads: Coral pink.
CREAM POINT
Body colour: Warm white. Shading, if any, is to tone with the point colour, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Rich cream, with paler shades preferred. While it is not desirable, there may be slight barring on the mask, legs and tail.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Coral pink.
Paw pads: Coral pink.
BLACK TORTOISESHELL POINT
Body colour: Pale cream. Shading, if any, is to tone with the point colour, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Bright shades of seal and varying shades of red and/or cream. A blaze up the nose is desirable.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in seal brown, black or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in seal brown, black or pink.
BLUE TORTOISESHELL POINT
Body colour: Glacial white. Shading, if any, is to tone with the point colour, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Blue and cream, with paler shades preferred. A blaze up the nose is desirable.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in blue or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in blue or pink.
CHOCOLATE TORTOISESHELL POINT
Body colour: Ivory. Shading, if any, is to tone with the point colour, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Paler shades of warm, milk chocolate and varying shades of bright red and/or cream. A blaze up the nose is desirable.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in chocolate or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in chocolate or pink.
LILAC TORTOISESHELL POINT
Body colour: Off white (magnolia shade). Shading, if any, is to tone with the point colour, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Warm, soft grey with pinkish undertones and cream, with pale, warm tones preferred. A blaze up the nose is desirable.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in lavender pink or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in lavender pink or pink.
CINNAMON TORTOISESHELL POINT
Body colour: Warm ivory. Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Bright shades of rich, reddish brown, red and/or cream.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in light tan and/or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in light tan and/or pink.
FAWN TORTOISESHELL POINT
Body colour: Pale ivory. Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Pale pinkish fawn and cream. Paler shades are preferred.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in fawn and/or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in fawn and/or pink.
CARAMEL TORTOISESHELL POINT
Body colour: Magnolia (off-white). Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Cold bluish fawn and varying shades of red and/or cream, with a very slight metallic overtone.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in bluish fawn and/or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in bluish fawn and/or pink.
TABBY POINT
Coat colour on the body is pale, preferably free from markings. Although it is not desirable, shading may take the form of ghost striping in older cats.
The mask has clearly-defined stripes, especially around the eyes and nose. There should be a clearly defined "M" on the forehead, with distinct stripes on the cheeks and darkly spotted whisker pads. The ears have solid colour, without stripes. There is a clear thumbprint on the back of the ear, which is less apparent in dilute colours. Tortoiseshell Points may not show a thumbprint. Eyelids are dark rimmed, with the colour toning with the points.
Legs have clearly-defined broken stripes of varied size, with solid colour on the back of the hind legs up the hocks. Points should all be the same colour, but in some colours paws may be lighter in colour. The tail is well ringed, ending in a solid coloured tip.
Thumbprints may not be as obvious in dilute colours. Kittens should not be penalised for not showing their full markings.
SEAL TABBY POINT
Body colour: Cream to warm fawn, shading to lighter tones on the stomach and chest.
Point colour: Distinct seal brown markings. Background colour is lighter. Ears are seal brown, with a paler thumbprint.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Seal brown or pink edged in seal brown.
Paw pads: Seal brown or pink edged in seal brown.
BLUE TABBY POINT
Body colour: Glacial white, cold in tone, shading to white on the stomach and chest.
Point colour: Distinct blue markings. Background colour is lighter. Ears are deep blue, with a paler thumbprint.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Slate blue or pink edged in slate blue.
Paw pads: Slate blue or pink edged in slate blue.
CHOCOLATE TABBY POINT
Body colour: Ivory, shading to lighter tones on the stomach and chest.
Point colour: Distinct milk chocolate markings. Background colour is lighter. Ears are warm, milk chocolate, with a paler thumbprint.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Chocolate or pink edged in chocolate.
Paw pads: Chocolate or pink edged in chocolate.
LILAC TABBY POINT
Body colour: Off-white (magnolia shade), shading to lighter tones on the stomach and chest.
Point colour: Distinct warm, soft grey markings with pinkish undertones. Background colour is lighter. Ears are warm, soft grey with pinkish undertones, with a paler thumbprint.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Lavender pink or pink edged in lavender pink.
Paw pads: Lavender pink or pink edged in lavender pink.
CINNAMON TABBY POINT
Body colour: Warm ivory, free of markings. Shading, if any, is tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Clearly defined rich, reddish brown markings. Brighter shades are preferred.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Light tan, pink or pink edged in light tan, toning with points.
Paw pads: Light tan or pink, toning with points.
FAWN TABBY POINT
Body colour: Pale ivory, free of markings. Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Clearly defined pale, warm pinkish fawn markings. Paler shades are preferred.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Fawn, pink or pink edged in fawn, toning with points.
Paw pads: Fawn or pink, toning with points.
CARAMEL TABBY POINT
Body colour: Magnolia (off-white), free of markings. Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Clearly defined cold bluish fawn markings, with a slight metallic overtone.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Bluish fawn, pink or pink edged in bluish fawn, toning with points.
Paw pads: Bluish fawn or pink, toning with points.
RED TABBY POINT
Body colour: White, shading to lighter tones on the stomach and chest.
Point colour: Distinct bright reddish gold or deep apricot markings. Background colour is lighter. Ears are bright reddish gold or deep apricot, with a paler thumbprint.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Coral pink.
Paw pads: Coral pink.
CREAM TABBY POINT
Body colour: Warm white, shading to lighter tones on the stomach and chest.
Point colour: Distinct rich cream markings. Background colour is lighter. Ears are rich cream, with a paler thumbprint.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Coral pink.
Paw pads: Coral pink.
SEAL TORTOISESHELL TABBY POINT
Body colour: Pale cream, shading to lighter tones on the stomach and chest.
Point colour: Distinct seal brown and varying shades of red and/or cream markings. Background colour is lighter. Ears are mottled, with a paler thumbprint.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in seal brown or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in seal brown or pink.
BLUE TORTOISESHELL TABBY POINT
Body colour: White, shading to lighter tones on the stomach and chest.
Point colour: Distinct blue and cream markings. Background colour is lighter. Ears are mottled and/or intermingled with blue and cream, with a paler thumbprint.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in blue or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in blue or pink.
CHOCOLATE TORTOISESHELL TABBY POINT
Body colour: Ivory, shading to lighter tones on the stomach and chest.
Point colour: Distinct milk chocolate and varying shades of red and/or cream markings. Background colour is lighter. Ears are mottled, with a paler thumbprint.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in chocolate or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in chocolate or pink.
LILAC TORTOISESHELL TABBY POINT
Body colour: Off-white (magnolia shade), shading to lighter tones on the stomach and chest.
Point colour: Distinct warm, soft grey markings with pinkish undertones. Background colour is lighter. Ears are mottled, with a paler thumbprint.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain or blotched in lavender or pink.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in lavender or pink.
CINNAMON TORTOISESHELL TABBY POINT
Body colour: Warm ivory, free of markings. Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Clearly defined rich, reddish brown, red and/or cream markings. Brighter shades are preferred.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain, blotched or rimmed in light tan and/or pink, toning with points.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in light tan and/or pink, toning with points.
FAWN TORTOISESHELL TABBY POINT
Body colour: Pale ivory, free of markings. Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Clearly defined pale, warm pinkish fawn and cream markings, with paler shades preferred.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain, blotched or rimmed in fawn and/or pink, toning with points.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in fawn and/or pink, toning with points.
CARAMEL TORTOISESHELL TABBY POINT
Body colour: Magnolia (off-white), free of markings. Shading, if any, is to tone with the points, but of a lighter shade.
Point colour: Clearly defined cold bluish fawn and varying shades of red and/or cream markings, with a very slight metallic overtone.
Eye colour: Decidedly blue, the deeper the better.
Nose leather: Plain, blotched or rimmed in bluish fawn and/or pink, toning with points.
Paw pads: Plain or blotched in bluish fawn and/or pink.
SMOKE POINT
This group has a combination of the point colour of the pointed British Shorthair with smoke characteristics underlying the points, making the cat one of contrast in both ways. By definition, the Smoke Point looks like an ordinary pointed British Shorthair in repose. Point colour is to be solid, deeply tipped with the appropriate colour, with a white undercoat. White bands of hair next to the skin are only apparent when the fur is parted. Ear tufts should be silver to white and the general area may be slightly shaded with a silver or white undercoat. The body should also have a white undercoat.
Special care should be taken to identify Smoke Points correctly, particularly in kittens, whose coats undergo many changes. In the transition from kitten hood to adult hood and to a lesser extent in each summer moult in adulthood, pigmentation is often lost. Darkening may appear at the roots, making it difficult to be certain if the cat is a Smoke Point. At times, the development of the undercoat may combine with the darkening at the roots to give the points an inside-out appearance.
In all other respects, Smoke Points resemble ordinary pointed British Shorthairs. They should have the same point colour, body colour, nose leather, paw pads and eye colour. They may occur in all pointed colours. Therefore, the ordinary pointed British Shorthair details of standards should be referred to for individual colour details.
FAULTS / PENALTIES
PENALISE: (applicable to all British Shorthairs in the pointed group).
White toe(s).
Mask extending over the entire head.
Incomplete mask in adults.
White or other incorrect hair colour in points.
Oriental eye shape.
Pale eye colour.
