The specialness Of The Black-And-White Cats
AnimalCare 
Mar 11, 2016 
AnimalCare, NGOs 
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A “piebald” or bicolor cat’s coat has large areas of unpigmented hair (usually white), combined with patches of pigmented hair (usually black). The color of the skin beneath the white fur is also without pigment, and the skin beneath the darker fur is pigmented. The alternating color pattern is asymmetrical.
The word “piebald” is a combination of “pie” (from “magpie”), and “bald,” which means a white patch or spot. It refers to the distinctive black-and-white plumage of the magpie.
Piebalds??
Piebald or bicolor cats are found among a number of different breeds, ranging from American Shorthairs to Turkish Vans. There are several commonly seen piebald patterns, including the following:
Tuxedo pattern. This is a predominantly black cat with white markings on the chest, tummy, paw, and sometimes the chin and/or nose.
Cow pattern. A predominantly white cat with black spots or patches on the torso.
Van pattern. A white cat with black markings on the head and tail only.
Mask-and-mantle pattern. A cat with a black back, shoulders, and head, and a white underside.
Cap and saddle pattern. A cat with black over the top of the head, white shoulders, and a large black patch on the lower back, near the tail.
Locket pattern. A black cat with one small white patch on the chest or tummy.
Indy, are you a mask-and-mantle or cap-and-saddle?
Indy: Hmmmph….!!
Piebald Personalities
Whether the color of a cat’s fur influences his personality is a subject of much debate, and there has been no shortage of opinions offered over the years. In an 1895 book titled “The Cat,” author R.S. Huidekoper wrote the following about bicolor cats:
“It tends more than any other cat to be come fat and indolent, or ragged and wretched, as the case may be. […] The Black and White cat is affectionate and cleanly, but it is a selfish animal, and is not one for children to play with.”4
A study in Bavaria suggests that black and black-and-white cats tend to wander further from home than cats of other coat colors. The study involved a large geographical area, which suggests the tendency may have a genetic basis.5
According to Sarah Hartwell of Messybeast, while most cat color/personality reports are anecdotal, there have been studies in which owners or veterinarians were asked to associate particular colors with particular personality traits.6 The study participants reported that black-and-white Persians were “placid,” black-and-white British Shorthairs were “even-tempered and friendly,” and black-and-white mixed breeds were “wanderers.”
In 1973, in a Pedigree Pet Foods book called “Your Guide to Cats & Kittens,” the author asserts that black-and-white Persians are “excellent ratters and mousers.”7 Early in the 21st century, George Ware, a British boarding cattery owner offered his own theory of colors and temperaments. Based on personal experience, Ware suggested that black-and-white cats are:
“True lap cats. Very loyal to their family, especially to a particular family member. Liable to be moody.”
Indy agrees with the last remark. We do too (especially the very last sentence!).
And I’m as Cow as they come.
Source: https://myanimalcare.org/2016/03/11/the-specialness-of-the-b..
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