Different breed sisters ??

[orion]

I recently inherited two cats from a friend that died unexpectedly. They are about 14 months old and "allegedly" from the same litter.

The question is that, clearly, one is a Maine Coon with calico markings and the other is a domestic short-hair, also with calico markings. Is it possible that "sisters" can be of different breeds ?? I don't think so but thought I could get some opinions here ! I don't have much access to any history on these cats except that they have both been de-clawed in front and supposedly spayed.

Any ideas?


:dunno:

[LynnM]

Hi Orion. Just for my 2 cents, I see kitties at the SPCA that are from the same litter and yet are quite different. Some are long hair, some are short, some are mostly solid-colored, some are calico, some are tabby. Plus, from the litters my female had back in the '80s, one litter of "domestic shorthairs" can come quite assorted color-wise.

So, my opinion is, 'yes' they could very possibly be sisters.

Also, there is "maine coon" and there is "Maine Coon." I had a cat once that everyone who saw him said he was Maine Coon, but all I definitely knew about him was that he was born feral. My personal opinion about it is that blooded Maine Coons breed very easily with domestic shorthairs and then the traits get mixed up. So, a domestic shorthair can give birth to kittens with long noses and long fur and fool people into calling them "maine coons."

[orion]

LynnM, I see your point about mistaking breeds. Although I have no way of determining lineage, so no confirmation of "Main Coon" breed - she has absolutely all of the characteristics of the breed. If she's not a MC, she's doing a great impression !!

Thanks -


PS: what part of Virginia are you from ? I'm in Upper Marlboro, Md. (D.C. suburb)

[**Sapphire**]

Lynn gave you some great advice orion. :)

Cats breed so much that there can be a lot of different lineages in the kittens when they are born.

Take our newest kitten for an example, she has the markings of a Egyptian Mau cat, but that's where it ends, the pattern. Her coloring underneath & her white paws, belly & chest put her as a mixed breed cat. Check out her picture in the "Meet my cat" forum & you will see what I mean as an example.

[orion]

Ok, thanks -

(I knew I could learn stuff here !)

[oceangurl]

My two female cats (who are sissies) are different color but still both of them a calicos..Ms Coco Chanel is bright orange/black and white and Littlebit is light orange/gray and white. And also they both have different fur, Coco's is short and courser and Littlebit's is more softer and fluffer, they were born as feral cats from neighbors who had alot of ferals out here in the country so that could be it! Still I wonder if it is possible to come from the same litter and have different fathers, I dont know if thats even possible....:(