Persian cat Chocolate and Lilac color
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Home Family -> subcategory Pets.
Persian Cats: Chocolate and Lilac Colors
Exploring Persian Cats in Chocolate and Lilac
As a Persian and Exotic cat breeder, I've recently faced the intriguing challenge of producing chocolate and lilac Persians. From a genetic perspective, these colors are indeed possible and part of the breed standard. However, their presence in reality is quite rare. These shades are often seen in British cat breeding as experimental hues but seldom take the spotlight at exhibitions.
The Genetic Puzzle
A common paradox in the Persian cat community is the abundance of chocolate and lilac Points, while fully colored individuals are scarce. Fashion trends may have influenced this. Genetically, the lilac-point color is harder to achieve than a solid chocolate hue. Consequently, breeders have been working to produce chocolate and lilac varieties either from solid carriers with the Color-Point gene or through targeted breeding with strong color lines.
Breeding Initiatives
Only a few dedicated breeders focus on these colors:
- JUKI in Poland: Known globally, though chocolate and lilac colors emerge as byproducts of modern-type Color-Point breeding.
- Smaragd in Estonia: Specializes in lilac Persians and Exotics, utilizing cats from JUKI and Finnish breeders.
- Tair Polling in Ukraine: Focuses on chocolates and tabbies, with kittens appearing in Moscow from this established Kharkov nursery.
- Club Irbis (FIFE) in Krasnodar: Works with color bloodlines and chocolate carriers, recently introducing high-quality lilac progeny.
- Kelisa in Sochi: Dedicated to chocolate Persians, with plans to develop lilac Exotics and refine their type.
- Alexander-Fred in Moscow: Breeds chocolate Persians from diverse bloodlines and is working towards chocolate and lilac bicolors in collaboration with Kelisa.
Some enthusiasts in Moscow have begun breeding these colors but face challenges, including a lack of resources or the intentional development of original color lines.
Understanding the Genetics
To successfully breed lilac and chocolate cats, an understanding of genetics is crucial:
- Black and Red as Base Colors: Black hair color is influenced by the gene B, while red hair involves pheomelanin. Other colors derive from these bases.
- Gene Variants:
- Gene D (Dilution): Lightens the hair tone, allowing for blue shades.
- Gene b (Chocolate): Alters pigment distribution, enabling chocolate and lilac colors. Both parents must carry these genes for offspring to exhibit the colors.
- Siamese Color Gene: Offers potential for siamese markings in various colors with the right genetic pairings.
Choosing partners with known genetics or similar traits is vital to achieve the desired shades. Ideal partners for lilac and chocolate cats include red or cream-colored cats, which enhance the warm tone and eye color.
Challenges and Goals
A major goal in breeding chocolate Persians is reducing the influence of the Siamese gene, initially by making it recessive. Over time, breeding chocolates and lilacs together will help stabilize the color genes.
While it seems straightforward to cross a lilac-point with a red cat and then interbreed siblings, the type, especially in Persians, is critical. Thus, breeders often use top-quality black or tortoiseshell cats to improve the modern type.
Standard Color Descriptions (WCF 1995)
- Chocolate (PER b)
- Color: Rich brown, uniform with no rust or white hairs.
- Nose: Milky chocolate
- Pads: Cinnamon or chocolate
- Eyes: Copper or deep orange
- Lilac (PER c)
- Color: Pale lilac with a pinkish sheen, uniform without white hairs.
- Nose: Lilac
- Pads: Lilac-pink
- Eyes: Copper or deep orange
The growing interest in rare Persian colors suggests we may soon see more chocolate and lilac Persians at shows.
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