12 Dapper Gray and White Cat Breeds

There's more than meets the eye with these breeds.

Some cultures view gray and white cats as protectors or guides to the spiritual realm, says Whitney Miller, DVM, chief veterinarian at Petco. Others believe that gray cats symbolize positive qualities like independence, intuition, and balance. And then there are cat lovers like Miller who can't resist a dapper feline flaunting a white and gray tuxedo.

Whatever your reason is for adoring gray and white cats, here are 12 breeds worth knowing.

Tip

Regardless of a cat's color, "the best way to get to know a cat’s personality is to spend time interacting and playing with them. Have a meet and greet before bringing the cat home to help make sure you are a good fit for each other," says Miller.

Norwegian Forest Cat

Norwegian forest cats, affectionately nicknamed "Wegies," are friendly felines with a love for exploring and climbing. To keep your furniture safe from these kitty acrobats, provide plenty of scratching posts, sturdy cat trees, and high-up cat shelving. That said, they're gentle cats who make great companions for children, other pets, and first-time pet parents. Their thick coat comes in a variety of shades, including tabby gray and white, bicolor, and more. They require daily grooming.

Breed Overview

Height: 9 to 12 inches

Weight: 12 to 16 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, bold, sociable

Energy Level: Active

Coat Length: Long

Coat Color: Black/ebony, blue/gray, cream/beige/tan, lavender/silver, red/orange, white

Life Span: 14 to 16 years

Sphynx

Though they have very little fur, Sphynx cats have pigmented skin. So, their colors (and they come in many!) are as vibrant as their personality. They’re smart, friendly, outgoing, and playful, shares Jennifer Fryer, DVM, a veterinarian at Chewy Health. When they're not running laps, they're likely to be found curled up in a warm lap or with a furry friend. And what’s better than a gray and white Sphynx? Two, since they don't like to be alone. Because they have fur that’s more like a layer of peach fuzz, Sphynx cats require special skin care, like sun protection and occasional baths.

Breed Overview

Height: 8 to 10 inches

Weight: 6 to 14 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, bold, sociable

Energy Level: Hyper

Coat Length: Hairless

Coat Color: Black/ebony, blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, cinnamon, cream/beige/tan, fawn, lavender/silver, lilac, red/orange, white

Life Span: 9 to 15 years

Egyptian Mau

Even more awe-worthy than the Egyptian mau's shiny, spotted coat and gorgeous green eyes is that the breed's looks are all-natural. In fact, they are the only naturally occurring spotted cat, rather than being selectively bred. They’re a part-time calm lap cat and a part-time chatty Kathy, that is, if you’ve been deemed one of “their people.” While shy around strangers, they’ll never fail to impress. “They are stunningly beautiful,” Fryer says. In addition to silvery white fur with dark gray to black spots, their sleek coats are also found with bronze spots.

Breed Overview

Height: 7 to 11 inches

Weight: 8 to 12 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, sociable

Energy Level: Active

Coat Length: Short

Coat Color: Black/ebony, blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, lavender/silver

Life Span: 9 to 13 years

Maine Coon

Maine coons are renowned for their impressive size and dense, silky coats. With fur growing the longest on their stomach, chest, and tail, their manes can come in tabby gray and white or even bicolor. They have a majestic appearance, with large ears topped with tufts of fur at the tips. “However, it’s their outgoing, friendly nature that wins me over,” Fryer says. This comes as no surprise—Maine coons regularly top the list of most popular cat breeds for feline enthusiasts.

Breed Overview

Height: 10 to 16 inches

Weight: 18 to 18 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, sociable

Energy Level: Active

Coat Length: Long

Coat Color: Black/ebony, blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, cream/beige/tan, red/orange, white

Life Span: 10 to 13 years

Turkish Van

Rivaling the Maine coon in size is the Turkish van, a lively breed that originated in the mountains of Turkey. Their most distinctive physical feature is their coat. In fact, it’s their namesake. The "van pattern" consists of an all-white body with darker spots of any color on the head, tail, and (sometimes) on the back of the neck. During the winter, their coats may grow longer and thicker, with tufts of fur peeping out from between their toes. This gray and white cat is also known as “the swimming cat” for their affinity for water.

Breed Overview

Height: 10 to 14 inches

Weight: 10 to 20 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Sociable

Energy Level: Active

Coat Length: Long

Coat Color: White/bicolor

Life Span: 12 to 17 years

Turkish Angora

The Turkish Angora has a people-loving personality and a sharp mind. They use their intelligence to their advantage, charming their way into the center of attention and the leadership role in any pack or clowder. A white coat with blue eyes is the most popular color for Turkish Angoras, but Fryer points out that pure white cats with blue eyes have an increased risk of hereditary deafness. They also come in other coat colors, such as bicolor gray and white, pure black, and tabby. They benefit from mental stimulation, such as clicker training and feeder puzzles, and are suited best for prospective parents who have some experience with cats, Fryer says.

Breed Overview

Height: 9 to 14 inches

Weight: 8 to 15 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Sociable

Energy Level: Active

Coat Length: Long

Coat Color: Black/ebony, blue/gray, lavender/silver, red/orange, white

Life Span: 9 to 14 years

Devon Rex

Have you considered a gray and white cat with curly hair? Meet the Devon rex, an eye-catching kitty with a curled coat in a variety of colors and patterns. Their curls come from a random genetic mutation first spotted in an English cat named Kirlee. To care for their curly mane, gently wipe their fur and skin with a damp cloth. Too much grooming will damage their delicate hair. While they look stunning in gray and white, these curious cats can also be black, blue, chocolate, and cinnamon, and come in patterns ranging from tortoiseshell and calico to pointed.

Breed Overview

Height: 10 to 12 inches

Weight: 6 to 9 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, bold, neurotic, sociable

Energy Level: Hyper

Coat Length: Short

Coat Color: Black/ebony, blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, cinnamon, cream/beige/tan, fawn, lavender/silver, red/orange, white

Life Span: 9 to 15 years

American Wirehair

The American wirehair is another gray and white cat with an unusual coat. Their fur is short and feels coarse to the touch, similar to the coats of wirehaired dog breeds. Aside from daily play, American wirehairs are a low-maintenance cat breed. In fact, like the Devon rex, brushing American wirehairs too often can damage their brittle coats. The laid-back breed is suitable for homes with kids, other cats, and friendly pups.

Breed Over

Height: 9 to 11 inches

Weight: 8 to 12 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, bold, sociable

Energy Level: Calm

Coat Length: Short

Coat Color: Black/ebony, blue/gray, cream/beige/tan, fawn, lavender/silver, red/orange, white

Life Span: 10 to 16 years

Ragdoll

The gray and white ragdoll cat comes in a few unique looks, including colorpoint, bicolor, tortie points, and lynx points. One as stunning as the next, the most common pattern seen may be the colorpoint, which features darker coloration around the eyes, ears, tail, and limbs, with a lighter body color. “Many breeds with darker points are typically born all one color,” Fryer explains. This is because Ragdolls, and other cats with points, have an enzyme that only produces color with lower body temperatures. So, many ragdoll kittens are born creamy white and develop their darker points in extremities as they age. No matter what they look like on the outside, ragdolls are consistently known as one of the most affectionate cat breeds around. They enjoy cuddles and purr easily, Fryer adds.

Breed Overview

Height: 10 to 20 inches

Weight: 13 to 18 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, bold, sociable

Energy Level: Calm

Coat Length: Long

Coat Color: Black/ebony, blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, cream/beige/tan, lavender/silver, lilac, red/orange, white

Life Span: 13 to 18 years

RagaMuffin

Speaking of love at first purr, the RagaMuffin is just as sweet as their name implies. Their long, rabbit-soft fur comes in gray and white bicolor, but they also come in a handful of other gray shades including smoke, silver, and gray tabby patterns. They may also flaunt their do’s with color points, similar to the ragdoll or Siamese. Nicknamed the “Teddy Bear of the Cat World,” you won't find a more suitable lap cat than the endearing RagaMuffin.

Breed Overview

Height: 10 to 15 inches

Weight: 10 to 20 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate

Energy Level: Calm

Coat Length: Long

Coat Color: Black/ebony, blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, cinnamon, fawn, lavender/silver, lilac, red/orange, white

Life Span: 12 to 16 years

British Shorthair

The British shorthair, while sociable, is often likened to a teddy bear for their appearance rather than their cuddly nature. With plush fur, chubby cheeks, and large round eyes, they’re overall a round, huggable feline—although they’d prefer gentle pets. They’re most recognizable by their solid blue coats but come in every color and coat pattern. To reduce shedding, they should be brushed once a week. They’re suitable for homes or apartments and get along with just about any well-mannered family member.

Breed Overview

Height: 12 to 14 inches

Weight: 7 to 17 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, sociable

Energy Level: Calm

Coat Length: Short

Coat Color: Black/ebony, blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, cinnamon, cream/beige/tan, fawn, lilac, red / orange, white

Life Span: 15 to 20 years

Tonkinese

Tonkinese cats, or Tonks for short, are a mix of Siamese and Burmese cats. They can be a handful—or even come off as stubborn—if you’re not prepared for their lively nature and ongoing conversations. That said, they’re people-pleasing cats who only want to be the center of your attention. Gray and white Tonks come in two coat patterns: pointed and mink, a lower contrast color than pointed. They can also be solid.

Breed Overview

Height: 7 to 10 inches

Weight: 6 to 12 pounds

Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, bold, sociable

Energy Level: Active

Coat Length: Short

Coat Color: Blue/gray, chocolate/brown/sable, cream/beige/tan

Life Span: 15 to 20 years

75 Gray Cat Names

Read the original article on The Spruce Pets.