Tabby is not a cat breed but rather a distinctive coat pattern found across domestic cat populations worldwide. The tabby pattern is one of the most recognisable and beloved patterns in cats, characterised by striping, spotting, or swirling that appears in various combinations. Classic tabbies display a distinctive ‘M’ marking on the forehead and elaborate swirled patterns on the body; mackerel tabbies feature bold stripes running vertically down the sides; spotted tabbies display rows of spots instead of stripes; and ticked tabbies show a banded (agouti) appearance without distinct patterns.
Tabbies appear in short-coat, medium-coat, and long-coat varieties, and in virtually every colour combination imaginable—orange (ginger), brown, grey (blue), cream, chocolate, and dilute variations. The term ‘tabby’ encompasses both pure tabby patterns and combination patterns like tabby-and-white or torties with tabby markings. Tabby cats are incredibly common in shelter populations, making them accessible and affordable companions.
Tabbies are found in mixed-breed domestic populations and in pedigree breeds like Maine Coons, Bengal, Ocicat, and many others. Their popularity stems from their striking appearance, adaptable temperament, and the genetic robustness of mixed-breed genetics when they appear in domestic cats. Many people report strong personality and affection from their tabby companions.