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The BI and Tri-colour LH Standard Four Years On

In the dim and not so distant past, the Standard of Points for the BI and Tri-colour LH was radically re-written to enable breeders to work with a gene that was random in expression. That gene as most of you are aware is the White Spotting gene ( ss heterozygous form, and SS homozygous form).

Contrary to popular belief by those who do not breed BI and Tri-colour LH, no breeder has yet ever been able to state that: the kittens I am expecting in this litter will

I) Have a full white collar.ii) A back patch of white iii) A white pyramid to the face

Further more, breeders cannot even predict with any certainty the percentage of white that each kitten will display. What breeders of BI and Tri-colours can say with some confidence is "I'm expecting either BI or tri-colour Kittens because I used an (SS) Minimum Colour BI or Tri-colour in my breeding programme". They can of course do all the usual magical calculations of so many males of this colour or so many females of that colour.

Due to the "in practise" awareness of the white spotting gene is so unpredictable, that the Tortoiseshell and White & Bi-colour Cat Club( with member consultation and input) examined the the then standard for the BI and Tri-colour and the Van standard.....

Historically most breeders from the late 1980s and early 1990's will remember the old Van standard, which called for colour to the head, a fully coloured tail and no more than three spots of colour to the body. Breeders may also recall that over a ten year period only six Vans had achieved the four merits required and were no where near progressing to the intermediate stage. Deep concern was also expressed that Van pattern BI and Tri-colours would disappear from the show bench as very few were exhibited, although many were being used in breeding programmes. Members at that time also considered that open class competition on the show bench for the BI and Tri-colour group was limited, perhaps one or two in a class. There was also a general feeling that it was not always the best example of the breed they were putting forward for exhibition but the one with the coat pattern that met the standard of not less than 1/3 to not more than 50% white to colour.

The club examined the Standard of Points for BI and Tri-colours from the USA and European organisations. It was decided the most sensible way forward was to describe the placement of the minimum amount white permitted in the coat pattern and the placement of the minimum colour permitted in the coat pattern and accept all the randomised patterns that occurred within these two described limits.

The standard was and is a very radical approach to showing, as it takes into account the effects of random gene expression, permitting breeders to exhibit their most excellent example of the breed for conformation, coat, coat pattern, type and eye colour,(with a resultant increase in the number of exhibits on the show bench) but also relies heavily on judges knowledge of the standard (etc.) to ensure that only the most overall aesthetically pleasing BI or Tri-colour is given the highest awards. Naturally this places a heavy responsibility on the judge as the BI and Tri-colour is not the easiest cat to judge if the standard is applied properly. If a judge does not fully understand the BI and Tri-colour standard, then they will believe anything goes. This incorrect assumption denigrates the hard work of the breeders and exhibitors many of whom still "discard" their best exhibit on aesthetic pattern grounds.

Finally has the alteration of the S.O.P achieved anything for the BI and Tri-colour in the year 2000, four years after its inception in 1996? BI and Tri numbers have increased on the show bench, the overall quality of the breed group is breathtaking. So yes the standard has and is working for the benefit of the breed group. Breeders still lament the unpredictability of the White Spotting gene but at least they can work with it rather than be dictated to by it.

Miv Riley . Nov.2000.