Tabby Cat Color Patterns. This is by far the most common pattern so much so that some people think it should have received the title classic. All tabbies have the same distinctive facial markings.
The tabby gene has three very well known versions or alleles which in different combinations account for most tabby patterns seen in domestic cats including those patterns seen in most breeds. A tabby cat is not a breed. A dark line leading from the outer corner of each eye at a downwards angle to below each ear and a darker m shaped pattern on their foreheads.
A tabby cat is not a breed.
The 5 tabby cat patterns. The cat pictured in this chart has a very high color contrast which shows his whorls clearly. The tabby cat pattern features stripes swirls spots and ticks and can come in many colors. This pattern usually has whorls ending in a target on the side of the cat.
