Golden British Shorthair

Golden British or Chinchilla Color?

The British Shorthair cat is a pedigree version of the traditional British domestic cat with a noticeably stocky body, dense fur, and a broad face. The most famous color variant is the “British Blue” with solid gray-blue fur, orange eyes, and a medium-sized tail. The breed has also been developed in a wide range of other colors and patterns, including tabby and colorpoint.

This breed is one of the oldest known cat breeds. Today, it remains the most popular pedigree breed in its native country, the United Kingdom. According to the UK’s Governing Council of Cats Fanciers (GCCF), almost a quarter of all kittens registered with the GCCF each year are British Shorthairs, making them the most popular pedigree cat in the UK.

The breed’s good-natured appearance and relatively calm temperament make it a frequent media star, notably as the inspiration for John Tenniel’s famous illustration of the Cheshire Cat from “Alice in Wonderland.” The Cat Fanciers’ Association profile states: “When observed, the British Shorthair cat is unrefined, quickly recovering with a ‘Cheshire Cat smile.'”

What are “Golden British,” are they really British, and why are they golden?

Features of the British Breed and Golden Color

Golden British cats are beloved pets by many poeple. They have gained their popularity due to the unusual color of their fluffy fur. It is important to note that Golden British cats are still rather rare than widespread. Therefore, if you want to own an unusual pet, you should pay attention to these cats.

TYPE: Breed STANDARS for British Shorthair cats including golden colors

In order to understand how the real British cat should look like let’s see the STANDARDS first. There are different felinological associations/systems and they all have their own standards, however they are more or less similar. We will use the standards provided by the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA) published in 2024. So, let’s see what they say about British Shorthairs:

By CFA: https://cfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/british-shorthair-standard.pdf

“GENERAL: the British Shorthair is compact, well-balanced and powerful, showing good depth of body, a full broad chest, short to medium strong legs, rounded paws, tail thick at base with a rounded tip. The head is round with good width between the ears, round cheeks, firm chin, medium ears, large round and well-opened eyes, and a medium broad nose. The coat is short and very dense.

Females are less massive in all respects with males having larger jowls. This breed takes a full 3-5 years to reach full maturity and development. should convey an overall impression of balance and proportion in which no feature is exaggerated to foster weakness or extremes.“

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BODY OF BRITISH SHORTHAIRS

BODY: medium to large, well knit and powerful. Level back and a deep broad chest.

The British Shorthair has a large body on short, powerful limbs, and a short, thick tail rounded at the end. The body height from the withers to the floor is 2/3, and the legs are 1/3.

These cats are quite large, strong, and muscular. The average weight of an adult animal ranges from 3 to 6 kilograms, depending on the sex (males can be significantly larger) and the animal’s genetics.

It is also fair to note that compared to other colors of this breed, Golden British cats are still slightly smaller than solid-colored ones. Although most breeders actively work in this direction – to obtain the appropriate characteristics and indicators similar to “ordinary,” solid-colored British cats, but in golden or silver color.

Here are some examples of from our Cattery’s collection:

Vlastar Lux Versal, BRI ny 11, born at our cattery from Lucas GoldenBri, BRI ny 25 father. Versal is one of the biggest male cats we have at our cattery – his weight is about 6,5 kg. And Versal’s grandfather – IC Valgeemarin Ballu, BRI ny 25.

HEAD

The head is round, with a broad muzzle, British “cheeks,” round open eyes, and the famous “Cheshire Cat smile.”

STANDARD:

“HEAD: round and massive. Round face with round underlying bone structure well set on a short thick neck. The forehead should be rounded with a slight flat plane on the top of the head. The forehead should not slope.“

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FACE & NOSE

STANDARD

“NOSE: medium, broad. In profile there is a gentle dip.”

The nose does not taper towards the tip, it is wide throughout its length. The nose bridge and the nasal septum are wide. The width of the nose mirror is the same as the nasal septum, there should be no narrowing of the nostrils (Persian issues). The length of the nose is relative to the length of the head. The distance between the inner corners of the eyes is equal to the length of the nose. The nasal septum is wide, the size of the eye should fit at the level between the eyes.

Typical flows against breed standard:

Snout too long: Simplified muzzle type, i.e., closer to domestic cats. In profile, you can see a flattened forehead, overhanging brow ridges, a sharp transition to the nose, and an elongated nose. In the front view, it is visible that the long nose pushes the whisker pads forward, making the muzzle not rounded, with smooth lines, but giving it a box-like shape. A more elongated muzzle and elongated nose lead to the lowering of the inner corners of the eyes, making the eyes more slanted. Even with filled cheeks, this type of muzzle creates a sense of disharmony, the muzzle is separate – the cheeks are separate.

Too much pinch: The whiskers (whisker pads) are too pronounced and do not form a single smooth shape with the cheekbones.

“Fox-face”: “Fox-like muzzle” is often found in British Chinchillas. It is characterized by insufficient fullness of the muzzle and a rounded nose bridge, which results in a narrowed nose mirror. The narrowed and elongated nose leads to closer set eyes, making them not only slightly slanted but also closer together. This type of muzzle is combined with a weak chin, and underbites are possible.”

Other typical flows:

“Exaggerated muzzle” or “exotic type”– a shortened and upturned nose is combined with an overly deep transition from the forehead to the nose. There is a small bump on the nose, meaning the short nose is NOT straight. Additionally, due to the raised cheekbones and shortened nose, the inner corners of the eyes are also raised, giving the eyes a more “Persian” set. Nasolabial folds are pronounced due to insufficiently filled cheekbones (in Persians and Exotics, the muzzle is flattened). Moreover, with such a muzzle, the upper part of the head is often too convex and the front part of the forehead is somewhat flat, and bites often occur.

The cheeks are not sufficiently filled. Even with other parameters meeting the standard, the main charm of the British Shorthair — the thick plush cheeks, which make it resemble a teddy bear or hamster — is lost

STANDARD

“CHIN: firm, well-developed in line with the nose and upper lip.

MUZZLE: distinctive, well-developed, with a definite stop beyond large, round whisker pads.”

To understand what the chin should look like, you need to mentally fit the muzzle into an oval. A strong, correctly shaped chin will create a single smooth line with the whiskers, without disrupting it.

EARS

STANDARD

“EARS: ear set is important. Medium in size, broad at the base, rounded at the tips. Set far apart, fitting into (without distorting) the rounded contour of the head.”

The correct set and shape of the ears in both front and profile views. In profile, the ears have a 35-degree tilt.

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STANDARD

“EYES: large, round, well opened. Set wide apart and level.

LEGS: short to medium, well-boned and strong. In proportion to the body. Forelegs are straight.

PAWS: round and firm. Toes: five in front and four behind.

TAIL: medium length in proportion to the body, thicker at base, tapering slightly to a rounded tip.”

BRITISH SHORTHAIR – GOLDEN COLORS

What are the peculiarities of Golden British cats among other British cats?

According to the CFA standards the Goldens (as well as Silver cats) must meet the same requirements as all other British cats except for the color-related ones.

STANDARD

“SHADED GOLDEN PATTERN: color is restricted to the ends of the hairs in the form of tipping (about 1/3 of the hair length) and the undercoat is a rich warm cream color, with a mantle of tipping. The coat on the back, flanks, head, ears and tail should be tipped with color. The tipping should be evenly distributed and it is the even distribution rather than the degree of tipping which is of paramount importance. The legs should show tipping which will decrease towards the paws but should be as even as possible. The chin, stomach, chest and under tail is a pale warm color ranging from ivory to apricot. 

CHINCHILLA GOLDEN PATTERN: color is restricted to the ends of the hairs in the form of tipping (about 1/8 of the hair length) and the undercoat is a rich warm cream color. Coat on back, flank, head, ears and tai should be tipped with color. The legs and end of tail may be shaded with tipping. The chin, stomach, chest and under tail is a pale warm color ranging from ivory to apricot. In general, the chinchilla cat appears much lighter than the shaded.”

IMPORTANT!

Disqualify: Any evidence of the Corin gene as evidenced by white/off-white toes and/or white/off-white on the chest and neck.

This is what current CFA standard tells us about the requirements to the golden shaded and chinchilla color, however, it is already a bit outdated as for my own breeder’s opinion, because the most modern developments and tendency is about introducing and recognition of the so called ‘whitened’ golden chinchillas with almost white undercoat, ‘socks’ on the legs, whitened muzzle etc. This effect is caused by Corin gene – CORIN (VARIABLE WIDEBAND) GENE: COPPER / FLAXEN GOLD / LIGHT GOLD PHENOTYPE IN BRITISH TIPPED SHORTHAIRS/LONGHAIRS Copyright 2016-2023, Sarah Hartwell & Linda Petersson Wahlqvist

A lot of breeding work and efforts have been done by many breeders all over the world, working in different systems/associations/clubs to breed the new very effective ‘appearance’ of golden chinchillas based on so called ‘Urajiro’ (or sometimes ‘Akita’) effect, named by the known in dogs color genetics effect. See the reference below:

“Urajiro is another allele possibly on one of the phaeomelanin intensity locus, and it causes red areas to be diluted on the “points” of the dog only (muzzle, chest, inside legs, hips, underside of tail). These areas are diluted to white or ivory while the rest of the phaeomelanin on the coat remains the usual colour.“

You can see and compare the cats and kittens of our Cattery and Akita gods color with ‘urajiro’ effect on the photos below:

Currently it is already recognized by several felinological systems in particular in middle Feb 2025 it was recognized by WCF in France as a new color standard. They call it ‘Golden Flaxen’ or ‘Sunshine’ (copper light) and Copper (Akita/ny) (in FiFe system).

You can see the examples of extremely lightened black golden shell color kittens – ny 12 born in our Cattery in 2024 on the photos below. There is almost no black tipping and it is even difficult to understand that these are genetically black kittens. Only their black paws, ends of the tails and eyes make up indicate this.

In fact the ‘Sunshine’ color is a ‘separate story’ and should be described additionally, here just to demonstrate how the Golden British colors are recently developing we will show our beautiful ‘Sunshine’ boy born in our cattery – Vlastar Lux Quiz, BRI nv 12, black golden flaxen chinchilla:

STANDARD

SHADED GOLDEN AND CHINCHILLA GOLDEN COLORS

GOLDEN (Black): the undercoat is ivory to neutral beige; back, flanks, head, ears and tail tipped with black. Eye and nose rims: outlined in black. Nose leather: brick red. Paw pads: black. Eye Color: green or blue-green.

Eye color for golden and silver British cats

There could be different hues of green and green-blue colors, but the correct eye color should be well and intensively colored, and the most important not yellowish.

The correct eye color is a beautiful deep green, often even called “emerald,” because it truly has a magical beauty. The eye color creates a wonderful contrast with golden fur.

It is also important to remember that true Golden British cats can only have green eyes. If you notice, all newborn kittens initially have blue eyes of varying intensity, but over time they gradually change their color to the main one characteristic of the breed. The green eye color in Golden British cats is the main one (except for color points, which are genetically programmed for blue eye color). However, the color sometimes develops gradually and can reach its final intensity even at the age of 1/1,5 year old.

Some examples of the well-colored green of green-blue eyes from our Cattery’s collection are below (golden & silver cats):

And of course, there are British Golden Color Points cats with blue eyes which as was already mentioned is a standard for this particular color due to its genetic nature.

Some examples of the well-colored blue eyes of color points cats (BRI ny 12 33) from our Cattery’s collection are below:

BASICS OF COLOR GENETICS

The color of the British golden chinchilla is the result of the interaction of several genes that determine the color and distribution of pigment in the animal’s fur.

In order to understand how the GOLDEN color is formed it is necessary to learn some basic of feline colors genetics.

Colors, Shades, and Pigments

The number of known cat colors has now exceeded two hundred. Their classification and descriptions can be found in almost any breed standards. But in reality, how many colors make up the palette of cat colors? Certainly not two hundred and not even fifty. There are basic colors and many variations and combinations. Black, blue, chocolate, brown, cinnamon, lilac, beige, red (depending on intensity from light ginger to brick red), cream, yellow – that’s about it. White color in its own sense is not even a color – it is “uncoloredness,” the absence of pigment that creates a particular color.

And there are even fewer pigments in the cat world than colors; in fact there are only four – two main ones (black eumelanin and yellow pheomelanin) and two derivatives of black – brown and cinnamon.

To understand how such a multitude of cat coat colors is formed and how the color of each specific cat is genetically determined, we need to consider the entire process of color formation – pigmentogenesis. This process begins at the embryonic stage. At very early stages of development, the embryo in the area of the neural tube releases the foundation of future pigment cells. They themselves cannot produce pigment yet; they need to undergo a series of changes.

First of all, they must take on a spindle-shaped form suitable for migration. These cells migrate first to the center of pigmentation, and from there – to the hair follicles. This process is controlled by the White gene, and if this gene is represented in the cat by two normal recessive alleles w, the precursor cells unmistakably acquire the necessary form for migration. But if at least one of the alleles is a dominant mutant W – the cells lose the ability to organize, remain in place, and will not produce pigment in the future, and the cat – the carrier of the dominant White allele – will remain uncolored, that is, white.

So, at the first stage of pigmentogenesis, it is determined whether the cat will be colored or remain white. After the pro-pigment cells have taken the necessary shape, they begin to migrate, initially to the so-called pigmentation centers, from where they spread along the entire surface of the body. 

For the pro-pigment cells to turn into full-fledged pigment-producing cells (called melanocytes), they must penetrate the hair follicle before its final formation. The combination of the speed of these processes – the movement of precursor cells and the formation of hair follicles – determines how colored the cat will be and whether it will retain white spots. 

The second stage of pigmentogenesis determines whether the animal will be completely or partially colored. So, the pro-pigment cells have reached the hair follicles and transformed into melanocytes, which can already start producing pigment. This complex biochemical process is controlled by specific genes. To convert the amino acid tyrosine (which enters the body with food) into melanin (more precisely, into pro-pigment (promelanin), from which melanin is formed in the next stage), the enzyme tyrosinase is necessary. The formation of this regulatory protein-enzyme is determined by the gene of the so-called Colour locus (C).

This locus, by the way, is represented by a whole series of alleles. The dominant allele C ensures the synthesis of normal tyrosinase, and then the individual is fully colored. The recessive mutant allele cs produces somewhat unusual tyrosinase – its ability to perform its regulatory function is limited by temperature conditions, in other words, this enzyme is activated only in the cold. That’s why this gene is also called ‘termodependant’. Therefore, homozygous for the cs allele, the well-known Siamese cats have intense coloration only in the most cooled, protruding parts of the body – the muzzle (“mask”), ears, tail, and paws. In our golden segment we know this color in golden segment as golden ‘color point’.

The next gene in the process of determining color is the B (Black) gene, which is responsible for the synthesis of the melanin pigment that determines color. Its dominant allele forms the normal pigment (black), while the recessive allele forms the oxidized pigment, i.e., chocolate. Its dominant allele forms the normal pigment (black), while the recessive allele forms the oxidized pigment, i.e., chocolate. Like the C gene, the Black gene has an allelic series – in addition to the black (B) and chocolate (b) alleles, there is also the most recessive allele, bl, which forms a highly oxidized form of eumelanin. If homozygotes and heterozygotes with the B allele have a black color (or derivatives from its combination with other non-allelic genes: seal-point, blue, etc.), then homozygotes with the b allele and heterozygotes bbl have a chocolate color. Finally, cats with the blbl genotype will have a warm reddish-brown color (also called cinnamon).

Even with the same amount of pigment synthesized by cells, the color of the animal can be intense, light, or diluted. This phenomenon of color lightening is called Maltese dilution or Maltese, and it is very common in the animal world: we know of blue rabbits and blue mice, dogs, and minks. The intensity of the color is determined by a gene called Dilutor (symbol D),which means diluter. The D gene is responsible not for the synthesis of pigment, but for the distribution of its granules in the hair. Pigment cells under the influence of this gene form processes that penetrate the hair, in which the pigment granules are “packed.” Under the influence of the normal allele, the processes in melanocyte cells are long, while under the action of the mutant allele d, they are shortened. Simplified, the result of the D allele can be defined as a dense arrangement of granules, and the d allele as a loose one. This arrangement of granules is perceived externally as a weakened, lighter color.

Blue, Lilac & Fawn colors

These colors are produced by combination or composition of two independent genes – B (Black) & D (Dilution).

Lilac fur color in cats results from the combination of recessive alleles of two different genes – dilution (its genetic symbol d) and chocolate color (symbol b). Dilution, as mentioned above, is the basis of colors such as blue (diluted black) or cream (diluted red). However, mating a blue cat and a chocolate cat, whose ancestors were of the same color, will most likely not produce lilac, blue, or chocolate kittens, but only black ones. What is the reason for this unexpected result?

First of all, it is due to the recessive nature of each of these alleles. For the trait determined by such alleles to manifest externally, they must be in a homozygous state, meaning the kitten must receive identical alleles from both the father and the mother. The dilution of the primary color and the chocolate tone are inherited independently of each other. From a genetic point of view, the blue cat is homozygous for the pair of dilution alleles – dd. However, the place of the recessive chocolate color alleles is occupied by the dominant alleles of the same gene, designated as B (Black).

Thus, a blue cat, descended from the same ancestors, should carry a pair of dominant alleles – BB. The chocolate cat has the opposite genotype – DDbb. Since during the formation of sex cells, exactly half of the genetic information is passed on, each parent transmits only one allele from each pair to the offspring. Consequently, the genotype of the kittens will contain one dominant and one recessive allele of the D and B genes, Dd Bb, from which only the dominant ones will manifest – and all the offspring will be black.

A similar picture will be observed in the case when the dilution alleles dd are combined in the genotype of the cat with the cinnamon color alleles — blbl. Such individuals will acquire a delicate beige fur color, known in feline terminology as “fawn.”

Gen A (Agouti) 

So, it is clear how pigments that give fur its color are formed. But cats can be solid-colored or have both pigments – black (or its derivatives) and yellow – mixed. Moreover, if you look closely, they are mixed in a specific way, forming alternating stripes on each hair – this is called ticking.

The presence of ticking is determined by the dominant gene of the agouti locus – A (Agouti), named after the South American rodent known for this particular coloration. In addition to ticking, cats with agouti coloration have two other characteristic features: a light mark in the shape of a human thumbprint on the back of the ear and a pink or brick-red nose pad outlined with the darkest color of that particular coat.

The recessive allele of this locus is called “non-agouti” (designated as a) and provides a solid color of the hairs – specifically the hairs, but not necessarily the cat as a whole. That is, a cat with the genotype aa can be black, chocolate, cream, or even have a blue-point color – depending on which alleles are present in other locus of genes responsible for color. 

Naturally, in cats with agouti coloration, the color of the stripes on the hair also depends on the allelic state of the same genes – stripes can alternate between black and yellow, blue and yellowish, brick and light red, and so on.

How can the agouti gene work? Probably, the alternation of pigment deposition occurs during hair growth according to the principle of “built-in” biological clocks, with periodic activation and deactivation of gene activity. It is also worth noting the completely different nature in the width and number of ticking stripes in different cats. If cats with the non-agouti genotype usually have a solid color, then agouti colors are generally combined with some kind of pattern on the cat’s body. 

Tabby series

The presence and type of such a pattern are determined by the alleles of the tabby series (T – Tabby).

The dominant allele responsible for the formation of this coloration, known as ticked tabby (code 25), is designated as Ta. However, heterozygotes for this gene, and occasionally homozygotes – TaTa, have residual pattern elements: necklace rings on the chest, faint stripes on the legs, and an ‘M’ shaped mark on the forehead.

Some examples of the golden ticked tabby, ny 25 from our Cattery’s collection on the photos below:

The most common pattern is the mackerel tabby (23 code), which consists of vertical stripes on the body combined with elements common to all patterned colors: an ‘M’ mark on the forehead, rings on the chest, swirls on the cheeks, two rows of double spots along the belly, and stripes on the tail and legs. This pattern is determined by the T allele, which is recessive to Ta.

The classic tabby (blotched or marble – 22 code) pattern  (including a ‘butterfly’ on the shoulders, two stripes along the back, and swirls on the sides) is characteristic of homozygotes for the most recessive allele of the tabby series – tbtb.

Some examples of the golden classic tabby, ny 22 from our Cattery’s collection on the photos below:

The most mysterious pattern remains the spotted one (24 code), consisting in its most complete expression of even, same-sized round or oval spots on the sides (naturally, in combination with elements common to all patterns). 

The mechanism of pattern development is most likely also related to the internal biological clocks of the organism’s development. Probably, the different coloring of the pattern hairs (they are darker, colored entirely or with wide stripes of dark pigment) and the background hairs (with wider stripes of pheomelanin) is associated with different maturation times of hair follicles, different hair growth rates, and therefore, with different times of activation and deactivation of the genes responsible for pigment synthesis.

Gene I (Inhibitor)

Nevertheless, there are mutations that can not only change the entire pattern of alternating black and yellow stripes but also completely ‘erase’ the pattern from the cat’s body, despite its agouti genotype. The inheritance of such colors is one of the most interesting problems in cat genetics. For many years, it was believed that their appearance was due to the action of the melanin inhibitor gene – I. The recessive allele of this locus – i – has no noticeable effect on pigment synthesis, while the dominant allele of the same gene stops melanin synthesis in such a way that only the upper part of the guard hairs is colored, and the bases of the guard hairs and the undercoat remain completely uncolored.

The extreme degree of activity of the inhibitor gene results in so-called shaded and tipped colors (chinchillas). These colors also develop on an agouti genetic background. In the first case, the tip of the hair is colored about 1/3 of its length, and in the second case – only 1/8, without any stripes. This distribution of color along the hair is called tipping.

Naturally, the color of the hair tips depends on which alleles are present in the B, D, and O locus. 

And finnaly coming closer to the GOLDEN color!

The described variations in the manifestation of the melanin inhibitor suggest a much more complex picture of gene interaction than the influence of just one allele I. Moreover, the silver group of colors, associated with processes of partial disruption of pigment synthesis, has been joined by golden colors.

The first and main feature of the golden color: from 1/2 (golden tabby) to 2/3 (golden shaded) or 7/8 (chinchillas) of each guard and cover hair is colored in a light or bright apricot, warm tone. The shades of this tone on different parts of the cat’s body may vary, but they should never transition into dull, grayish colors.

The first litter of golden chinchilla cats was obtained from silver chinchilla parents. Therefore, it was initially believed that the golden color is determined by the presence of the same semi-dominant inhibitor gene (genetic symbol I), which provides the silver colors of chinchillas, shaded, tabby, and smoke cats. However, the work of just one gene, even a semi-dominant one, could not explain all the variations of colors obtained in the silver-golden range. Therefore, geneticists hypothesized the existence of rufism genes – a group of genes that provide additional synthesis of yellow pigment – pheomelanin. But this rather vague hypothesis was not considered satisfactory.

Gene Wb (Widebanding)

Although not in their most perfect manifestations, the golden color is quite common in cat populations. The search for genes responsible for such an attractive color continued. Researchers first drew attention to the so-called ‘Vavilov’s rows,’ that is, the similarity in color mutations in various groups of animals: for example, Siamese cats, Himalayan rabbits, and acromelanistic mice – all of them have the same genetically determined color. According to this law of parallelism, the dominant ‘wide band’ gene – Wb, discovered in some rodents, was proposed as a candidate for the golden color genes. Under the influence of this gene, a wide yellow stripe forms at the base of the hair, and the animal acquires a golden color. In the case of the normal allele of the wb gene, a regular black tabby is obtained, but if the inhibitor gene is added to this genetic background, a silver tabby is formed.

When the alleles I and Wb are concentrated in one organism, silver chinchillas or shaded ones are formed. Another hypothesis, also based on the parallelism of colors, suggests the presence of the ‘golden agouti’ gene (genetic symbol Ay), characteristic of dogs and mice. In most well-studied genetically mammals, the agouti complex is represented not only by two alleles, that is, gene variants known in cats (A – agouti and a – non-agouti), but by a whole series of alleles. The so-called ‘sable’ color in dogs, for example, is associated precisely with the action of the ‘golden agouti’ allele and consists of yellow coloring of the hair (except for its dark tips). If we assume the presence of the same gene in cats, then further considerations about the formation of the silver-golden color range will be similar to those described above, with the difference that the place of the hypothetical recessive wb will be taken by the familiar agouti factor Ay.

Genes Bl (Bleacher or Bleaching) & Er (Eraser)

Currently, the most common theories of golden and silver colors are bigenic, meaning they are based on two separate loci (or genetic complexes). It is assumed that the genes responsible for the silver color (melanin inhibitors, primarily its yellow modification – pheomelanin) act independently of the genes for the golden color – inhibitors of eumelanin, the black pigment (the fact that the golden color gene is also a pigment inhibitor is indicated by the correlation of the color with green – under-pigmented – eye color). In one of the latest works, these genes were respectively named Bleacher and Eraser (the names and genetic symbols are unofficial). Each of these genes must be represented by at least two alleles, naturally acting on an agouti or non-agouti background.

So, lets summarise this information!

MAIN GENES OF GOLDEN CHINCHILLA COLOR

The main genes and designations that are encountered when explaining the formation of the golden chinchilla color are thje following:

• A (Agouti)
• I (Inhibitor) 
• Wb (Widebanding)
• Bl (Bleacher or Bleaching)
• Er (Eraser)
• Sv (Silvering or Silver Inhibitor)
• U (Unpatterned)

Also, auxiliary genes include:

• B (Black)
• D (Dilution)

Concepts related to the golden chinchilla color:

• Chaos
• Confusion
• Erase

GENE A (AGOUTI)

Felinologists have not fully studied the manifestation of this gene in golden colors, but all golden cats are always Agouti (Agouti – with a pattern, although in this case very “blurred”).

GENE I / Bl / Sv (INHIBITOR)

The I gene is also known as Bl (Bleacher or Bleaching) and Silvering (Sv). Different sources provide their designations, but the latter option is most often used in designations.

Due to the work of this gene, the fur at the base is lightened, the work of melanin at the root part of the hairs is suppressed. The Inhibitor gene blocks the synthesis of pigment in the fur, leaving only the tips of the hairs colored.

The I / Bl / Sv gene is responsible for the presence of a golden hue in the cat’s color.

• In the homozygous state (UU), the pattern on the body is completely absent (or barely noticeable outlines are visible).
• In the heterozygous state (Uu), the pattern partially appears, especially noticeable on the paws, tail, neck.
• In the variant (uu) – the cat has a bright contrasting tabby pattern.

GENE WB (WIDEBANDING)

Recently, most experts adhere to the opinion that the genetics of the root coloring of hairs is the work of a group of genes that are not yet fully studied, but it has been proven by a complex of matings that this cannot be the work of only one gene.

It has been decided to call such a group of genes Wb (Widebanding). It is also called the wide band gene, in which the hairs do not have stripes, leaving only the upper part of the hairs darkened.

Distribution options:

• WbWb – golden shell color (12) or ‘tipped golden’ or just ‘golden chinchilla’
• Wbwb – golden shaded color (11)
• wbwb  – golden tabby color (22, 23, 24, 25)

Sv (Silvering or Silver Inhibitor

British golden chinchillas have a homozygous state of this gene (svsv), which provides a bright golden tone of the fur.

GENE ER (ERASER)

The Er gene (Eraser) is another gene that suppresses pigmentation. With its help, the cat has one of the forms of color: veiled, shaded, or ticked. Previously, it was believed that the Er gene works as one independent gene, but later it was concluded that this is the work of a group of genes working similarly but independently of each other, called such a complex of genes – Wb.

GENE U (UNPATTERNED)

The U gene (Unpatterned) is a semi-dominant gene responsible for the presence or absence of residual patterns on the body:

• necklace on the chest
• rings on the tail
• “glasses” around the eyes
• letter “M” on the forehead
• stripes on the paws

Table of Colden Color Genetics:

The genetics of the golden chinchilla color is very complex, not fully studied, and is still under research. Felinologists, simplifying the process of color formation due to the unexplored genes, base it on three genes — Sv, U, Wb.

Gene Inhibitor (Sv=BI=I)	Gene U (Unpatterned)	Wb genes group (Widebanding)	British Golden Colors	Color Code
svsv	UU	WbWb	Golden Shell (Chinchilla)	12
svsv	UU	Wbwb	Golden Shaded	11
svsv	UU	wbwb	Golden Ticked Tabby	25
svsv	Uu	WbWb	Golden Shaded with remaining patterns on the body	11
svsv	Uu	Wbwb	Golden Shaded with remaining patterns on the body (bad golden color )	11
svsv	Uu	wbwb	Golden Shaded with remaining patterns on the body (bad golden color ) OR Golden Ticked tabby color (bad contrast)	11 Or 22/23/24/25
svsv	uu	WbWb	Golden Ticked tabby, well contracted, good quality	22/23/24/25
svsv	uu	Wbwb	Golden Ticked tabby, sufficient quality of golden color	22/23/24/25
svsv	uu	wbwb	Black Tabby color (NO GOLD)Very clear and nice tabby pattern	22/23/24/25

Genetic Distribution: TYPES OF GOLDEN CHINCHILLAS BY MAIN COLOR

In the color code, in addition to numerical coding, there is also letter coding, which is determined by the B and D genes (explained in more detail below).

Variants of the main color tone:

• ny – black golden;
• ay – blue golden;
• by – chocolate golden;
• cy – lilac golden;
• oy – cinnamon golden (cinnamon color);
• py – fawn golden (fawn – sandy or coffee with milk);
• dy – red golden;
• ey – cream golden.

Additional genes involved in the formation of the golden chinchilla color:

Gene B (Black) determines the presence of the black pigment eumelanin in the cat’s fur.

Distribution variants: BB, Bb, Bbl, Bb and blbl

Gene D (Dilution) is responsible for diluting the main color of the fur. 

Distribution variants: DD, Dd and dd.

Other words:

Blue is a diluted Black

Lilac is a diluted Chocolate

Fawn is a diluted Cinnamon

and for the Red gene O

Cream is a diluted Red (or Orange).

Sunshine = Flaxen Golden (WCF) or Copper Light (LOOF)

NEW COLOR – Flaxen Golden

In 2023, a new color among golden chinchillas was finally approved – flaxen golden. Such cats have clear contrasting lightening on the chest, muzzle, toes, and almost no eye rims, nose pads.

Such colors have codes:

• nv – black golden flaxen
• av – blue golden flaxen
• bv – chocolate golden flaxen
• cv – lilac golden flaxen
• ov – cinnamon golden flaxen
• pv – fawn golden flaxen
• dv – red golden flaxen
• ev – cream golden flaxen

where v – denotes flaxen golden.

There is not much information about this beautiful color, but we can share the preservation made by one the breeders intensively working in this direction and promoting the sunshine color including the enormous and fruitful efforts implied for its recognition in different systems – Katja Jaric, Lana’s Pride Cattery:

This section will be further developed, however we also would like to share some of our beautiful sunshines born at our cattery in 2023-2024:

Sunshines (black golden flaxen) – nv 12 kittens have amazingly colored fur unlike anything else! it is really difficult to compare with other Goldens, sometimes they look like golden fawn or cream, sometimes like color points but with green eyes!

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In conclusion:

The genetics of the color of the British golden chinchilla is quite complex, as it depends on several groups of genes. These genes form a unique tone of the undercoat and fur color, characteristic only of these cats. Moreover, it is this combination of genes that makes the breed so attractive and popular among cat lovers. Admiring the divine beauty of British golden chinchilla cats, we can be proud that humans have achieved such harmony of color and patterns in the fur of these magnificent animals.