Is Ralph a Tortie or a Calico?

[dlaura]

This is Ralph. She is one of my office kitties. This is the kitty that was found our by the company dumpster one very cold, rainy day in October a few years ago.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/6-3-09009.jpg

[dlaura]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/6-3-09012.jpg


http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/6-3-09010.jpg

[special]

Ralph is a Tortie/tabby mix.

I have heard that called a "torbie" but I'm not sure if that is an official term or not. It's the stripes that make the tabby part, and the brown/orange/black blends that are tortie.

[dlaura]

Ok, thanks special. I wondered because she didn't really seem to match up to either description of tortie or calico. Good to know.

[nanamouse]

That's how my Havana is. Pulling her out of the carrier the vet tech commented on how polydactils were ususlly not tabby, but then when she got her the rest of the way out she saw that her back end was tortie.

[pipsie71]

I used to have a cat that I think was a tortie/white/tabby with the tabby part being the smallest part. She came from my friend, the Mum was ginger and they think the dad was tabby. What do you think? Pip

http://i729.photobucket.com/albums/ww298/pipsie71/22-03-07_1915.jpg

[Macawpower58]

I was going to guess Tortoiseshell, I'm glad Special knew the answer....I'd have been wrong! lol

[Macawpower58]

Pipse, from the photo I'd have guessed calico.

[Wiztherewoz]

Ralph is spectacular! What a beauty.

[dlaura]

Thanks everyone.

Ralph sure is one of those independent types.

It is so great having critters where one works!

[krazy4birds]

Ralph is very handsome......
and Pip that cat is adorable...

[dlaura]

Thanks Judy.

[e1beth1]

Aw, I love torbie's, Ralph is adorable! We had a lot of torbie kittens in foster last year, they're so neat looking with the combo of torti colors and tabby stripes. Pip, it's hard to tell from your picture because it's not the full body but she was very pretty.

[dlaura]

Pip I would agree with Becky and say calico.

[dlaura]

A few more of Ralph
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/DSC00382.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/DSC00377.jpg

[dlaura]

This is the coveted spot - each takes a turn sometime during the day
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/Ralph2.jpg

Ralph was born a season before Scooch
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/P9010098.jpg

[dlaura]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/MVC-255F.jpg

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a275/dlaura1954/MVC-256F.jpg

[Wiztherewoz]

The pics of them together are priceless. What a pair of loves, they're absolutely gorgeous! :) Thank you for sharing.

[Ltlpistol]

Here's an excellent example of a calico - the colors are very distinct, no stripes at all. The stripes, as Special mentioned are tabby, when the tri-color effect is blurred that makes it a tortoiseshell. And by the way, I love Ralph's coloring. Very pretty kitty.

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o168/Ltlpistol/DSC01719.jpg

[DoggieVogue]

What nice looking kitties! They are adorable. I wish we had kitties roaming around our office.

[dlaura]

Anne that is exactly how I always pictured a calico. Very pretty kitty. Is she yours or just an example you used?

[katiem]

That's how my Havana is. Pulling her out of the carrier the vet tech commented on how polydactils were ususlly not tabby, but then when she got her the rest of the way out she saw that her back end was tortie.

I've never heard that before, Blossom is technically a Tabby...but then females usually aren't red either apparently.