Cats, with their graceful movements and captivating eyes, have long held a special place in our homes and hearts. Among the myriad of coat colors, the sophisticated hues of black and grey stand out, offering an air of mystery and elegance that appeals to many feline admirers.
If you’re drawn to the striking beauty and unique charm of these distinguished felines, you’ll be delighted to explore this comprehensive guide. We’ve compiled a list featuring exactly 27 black and grey cat breed, showcasing a remarkable range from the spirited American Curl to the majestic Turkish Van. For each, you’ll find essential details thoughtfully organized by Scientific Name, Origin, and their Common Black/Grey Variations, providing a complete picture of these beautiful creatures below.
Do black and grey cats always belong to specific breeds?
While many breeds can display black or grey coats, not every black or grey cat is a purebred or belongs to a specific “black and grey” breed. These colors are common genetic expressions across a wide variety of feline lineages. Our list focuses on breeds where black and grey variations are notably prevalent or characteristic, highlighting the specific breed standards and origins behind these stunning appearances.
Black and Grey Cat Breed
| Breed Name | Scientific Name | Origin | Common Black/Grey Variations |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Shorthair | Felis catus | United States | Silver tabby, black mackerel/classic tabby, blue (dilute black) tabby, black smoke |
| British Shorthair | Felis catus | United Kingdom | British blue (grey), blue silver tabby, black silver shaded, black smoke |
| Maine Coon | Felis catus | United States (Northeast) | Brown/grey tabby, silver tabby, black smoke, blue mackerel/tabby |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | Felis catus | Norway | Brown/grey tabby, silver tabby, black smoke, blue tabby |
| Persian | Felis catus | Iran (Persia) | Silver shaded, silver tabby, black smoke, blue silver shaded |
| Exotic Shorthair | Felis catus | United States | Silver tabby, black smoke, blue silver shaded, black silver shaded |
| Scottish Fold | Felis catus | Scotland | Blue/grey, blue/cream, silver tabby, black smoke, blue mackerel |
| Devon Rex | Felis catus | United Kingdom | Blue, black smoke, blue tabby, black silver shaded |
| Cornish Rex | Felis catus | United Kingdom | Blue, black smoke, silver tabby, blue mackerel |
| Sphynx | Felis catus | Canada | Black/grey skin patterns, blue/grey markings, black smoke, chamois tones revealed on skin |
| Bengal | Felis catus | United States | Silver spotted/rosetted with black rosettes, charcoal shading on blue-silver ground |
| Egyptian Mau | Felis catus | Egypt | Silver spotted with black spots, smoke silver, charcoal-tipped grey |
| Ocicat | Felis catus | United States | Silver spotted with black spots, blue-silver spotting, black charcoal accents |
| Savannah | Felis catus | United States | Silver spotted with black spots, charcoal ticking producing grey/black contrast |
| Manx | Felis catus | Isle of Man | Blue/grey, silver tabby, black smoke, blue mackerel tabby |
| Japanese Bobtail | Felis catus | Japan | Blue/grey patches, silver tabby, black-and-white bicolor, blue mackerel |
| Turkish Angora | Felis catus | Turkey | Blue/grey, black smoke, silver tabby, blue torbie |
| Oriental Shorthair | Felis catus | Thailand/United States | Black smoke, blue, grey tabby, silver tabby, blue mackerel |
| Ragdoll | Felis catus | United States | Blue lynx point (grey tabby points), blue mitted, seal lynx with grey tones |
| American Curl | Felis catus | United States | Black smoke, blue tabby, silver tabby, blue tortie |
| Selkirk Rex | Felis catus | United States | Black silver shaded, blue tabby, black smoke, chinchilla silver |
| LaPerm | Felis catus | United States | Blue, black smoke, blue tabby, silver tabby with curly coat |
| Himalayan | Felis catus | United States (developed) | Blue lynx point, blue point, seal lynx with grey tabby points |
| European Shorthair | Felis catus | Europe | Black and silver tabby, blue mackerel, black smoke, grey patched tabby |
| Burmilla | Felis catus | United Kingdom | Chinchilla silver shaded, shaded silver tabby, blue silver shaded |
| Pixiebob | Felis catus | United States | Brown/grey tabby, silver tabby, black smoke, blue mackerel |
| Turkish Van | Felis catus | Turkey | Black and blue patches on white, silver patches, blue-ticked areas on tail |
Images and Descriptions
American Shorthair
A sturdy, adaptable cat known for rounded features and friendly temperament. Commonly seen in silver and grey tabby patterns with contrasting black markings; calm, playful, and excellent with families and children.
British Shorthair
Stocky, plush-coated cat with a broad face and calm personality. Frequently appears in blue and silver tabby shades with black tipping or shading, offering a classic grey-and-black appearance paired with a gentle, reserved nature.
Maine Coon
Large, tufted-eared cat famed for tufted paws and a shaggy coat. Often exhibits black-and-grey tabby and smoke variants; affectionate, intelligent, and suited to active households.
Norwegian Forest Cat
Robust, long-coated forest cat with a ruff and bushy tail. Commonly shows grey and black tabby or silver patterns; independent but social, hardy, and agile climbers.
Persian
Luxurious longhair with a flat face and calm disposition. Persians often have silver and smoke patterns blending grey and black tones, prized for their plush coats and placid indoor lifestyle.
Exotic Shorthair
Persian-like features in a short, dense coat. Exotic Shorthairs commonly present in silver and smoke varieties combining grey and black tones; they’re sweet-natured, low-energy, and affectionate lap cats.
Scottish Fold
Recognized by folded ears and rounded body, Scottish Folds appear in many colors including blue and silver tabby with black markings. They’re quiet, adaptable, and bond closely with families.
Devon Rex
Small, curly-coated cat with large ears and playful energy. Devon Rexes commonly come in blue and smoke shades with darker markings, offering a soft grey-and-black palette and mischievous, affectionate behavior.
Cornish Rex
Sleek, curly-coated and athletic, Cornish Rexes are often seen in blue and smoke shades with tabby patterns. They’re active, social, and enjoy interactive play and human company.
Sphynx
Hairless breed whose skin shows classic coat patterning: smoke, tabby and point colors including grey and black. They’re affectionate, warm-seeking, and affectionate lap cats despite lacking fur.
Bengal
Exotic, athletic breed with wild-looking spots or rosettes. Silver Bengals display pale grey grounds with striking black markings, combining a sleek coat with high energy and intelligence.
Egyptian Mau
Naturally spotted and agile, the Egyptian Mau’s standard includes silver backgrounds with black spots producing a dramatic grey-and-black contrast. They are fast, alert, and loyal to owners.
Ocicat
Domestic breed with wild appearance and spotted coat; silver and blue-silver variants have black spotting on pale grey grounds. Ocicats are outgoing, playful, and highly social.
Savannah
Tall, spotted hybrid breed with wild looks. Silver Savannahs show black spots on a pale grey background, combining striking coat contrast with energetic, curious behavior.
Manx
Tailless (or short-tailed) breed with rounded body and strong hindquarters. Manx cats commonly appear in blue and silver tabby shades with black markings; they’re playful, devoted, and robust.
Japanese Bobtail
Distinctive short tail and lively personality; Japanese Bobtails frequently show blue or grey patches alongside black markings or silver tabby patterns. They’re active, affectionate, and culturally significant in Japan.
Turkish Angora
Elegant, fine-boned longhair often seen in blue and smoke hues with tabby ticking. Turkish Angoras are playful, intelligent, and affectionate, displaying a refined grey-and-black coat variety.
Oriental Shorthair
Sleek, wedge-headed cat available in many coat patterns including greys, blues, silver tabbies and smoke types blending black and grey. Orientals are vocal, active, and people-oriented.
Ragdoll
Large, docile cats noted for floppy relaxation when held. Ragdolls can show grey/blue lynx point markings where darker stripes contrast with pale grey backgrounds, paired with calm and gentle temperaments.
American Curl
Known for curled-back ears and affectionate nature, American Curls appear in smoke and tabby varieties combining grey and black tones. They’re adaptable, playful, and good with families.
Selkirk Rex
Plush, curly-coated breed with a teddy-bear look. Selkirk Rexes frequently show chinchilla and shaded silver patterns mixing grey and black, and are easygoing, friendly companions.
LaPerm
Curly-coated and affectionate, LaPerms occur in blue and smoke shades and tabby patterns that blend grey and black. They’re playful, people-oriented, and uniquely textured.
Himalayan
A Persian-type colorpoint breed that often shows blue/grey lynx points combining darker stripes with pale grey. Himalayans are calm, sweet-tempered, and have long, plush coats requiring grooming.
European Shorthair
Versatile, natural breed resembling common domestic shorthairs across Europe. Frequently exhibits classic black-and-grey tabby and smoke patterns; hardy, adaptable, and friendly family pets.
Burmilla
Developed from Burmese and Chinchilla Persian, the Burmilla often displays striking silver shading with black tipping, producing elegant grey-and-black contrasts. They are playful, affectionate, and moderately active.
Pixiebob
Wild-looking, robust domestic breed often seen in tabby and shaded silver patterns combining grey and black. Pixiebobs are social, doglike in loyalty, and energetic explorers.
Turkish Van
Active and water-loving, Turkish Vans typically show colored head and tail patches on white, including black and blue variations; while not uniformly grey, they commonly display both black and grey tones in accepted patterns.
