Golden Shaded Cats: Understanding the Differences Between 11, 12, and 25 Color Variations and Their Pricing

The primary differences between Golden Shaded cats with 11, 12, and 25 color variations lie in the pigmentation of their paw pads and the amount of black tipping on their fur. The 12 color variation has the least black pigmentation on its paw pads and is also the lightest in overall color, making it the most expensive. The 11 color variation shows a slight increase in black pigmentation, while the 25 color has the most black, resulting in a much darker appearance.

Understanding the "ny" Code

Let's first clarify the "ny" notation. In cat color coding, 'y' represents the base color, which is gold in the case of Golden Shaded cats. The 'n' represents black tipping on the fur. Therefore, an 'ny' cat will have an overall golden appearance with black tips on its hairs. The numbers 11, 12, and 25 refer to different expressions of this black tipping, with each number denoting the proportion of black present.

Paw Pads: A Key Differentiator

One of the most noticeable differences among these color variations is the pigmentation around their paw pads.
12 color: The paw pads are completely devoid of black hairs.
11 color: A slight amount of black hair is present around the paw pads.
25 color: The paw pads have a significant amount of black hair, often extending to the furthest paw ball.

Color Variations in Detail

In these three most common color variations of Golden Shaded cats, the 12 color has the lightest black tipping, the 11 color has slightly more black, and the 25 color has the darkest and most segmented black tipping.

Detailed Breakdown: 12, 11, and 25

12 Color

The 12 color variation displays the lightest overall color, with only minimal black tipping on the fur, resulting in a predominantly golden appearance. There is no black hair on the tips of the ears, and the paws feature white "gloves" with white fur surrounding the paw pads. This is currently the most popular color variation, making it the most expensive (generally speaking, ignoring other characteristics like lineage). The limited black tipping provides a bright, almost ethereal look.

11 Color

The 11 color variation shows a slightly darker overall color, with relatively more black tipping than the 12. Black hair covers approximately half of the paw pads, and the golden coat has more black hair visible at the tips.

25 Color

The 25 color variation is the darkest of the three, characterized by significantly more black tipping, which is often segmented, creating a darker appearance. The paw pads are primarily covered in black hair. The 25 color is sometimes referred to as a 'black-tipped' variation due to the dominant black tipping on their fur. The coat appears richer and deeper compared to 11 and 12.

In summary, when choosing a Golden Shaded cat, consider the subtle differences in color variations as well as your personal preferences when it comes to the distribution of the black tipping on the fur and the pigmentation around their paw pads. The 12 color variation is the most sought-after, therefore the most expensive, due to its overall golden look and minimized black tips.You might also like:Pet Breeding