The mackerel tabby is considered the wild-type tabby pattern and is genetically dominant over the classic (blotched) tabby pattern. For that reason, it appears in many, many breeds other than just five. However, there are a few breeds that are particularly renowned for wearing it. Several breeds are especially well known for displaying the pattern. These are 5 breeds that are good to know and what makes them special.
1. Maine Coon
One of the most recognizable patterns in the cat world is the mackerel tabby pattern. Maine Coons are shaggy cats that are large and long-haired. All that fur makes the stripes of mackerel look quite spectacular. Each stripe is enhanced with the long guard hairs.
The most traditional appearance for this breed is brown mackerel. It is extremely similar in appearance to the cat’s rugged and semi-wild look. Maine Coons can come in almost any colour with the mackerel pattern. Brown mackerel is one of the breed’s most recognizable color combinations.
2. British Shorthair
The British Shorthair mackerel tabby has a denser, plusher version of the pattern. This is due to the thick and short coat of the breed. In fact, British Shorthairs are more famous for their classic, blotched tabby appearance. Mackerel is an accepted pattern, although the classic (blotched) tabby is more commonly associated with the breed, particularly in silver and blue varieties.
The round face and stocky body of the breed give the stripes a different look. The stripes are not necessarily sleek and tiger-like but rather can be more rounded. This is due to the coat covering such a firm, muscled body.
3. American Shorthair
The mackerel tabby cat is an American Shorthair working cat classic. This breed is descended from cats brought to North America by sailors and settlers. Cats were used to control rats in ships and farms many hundreds of years ago.
Today brown and silver mackerel are particularly common. American Shorthairs are medium-sized, muscular cats. The short, dense coat allows the stripes to be seen clearly without becoming blurred by the fur as would occur in longer-haired breeds.
4. Siberian
Brown-striped Siberian cats have a long, water-resistant coat with bold striping. The Siberians are from Russia where they are used to freezing winters and have thick fur. Brown mackerel is still one of the more prevalent colors on this breed, despite the heavy coat. It will create a very wild yet striking appearance for the cat.
Siberians are available in all colors, and mackerel is by no means their only one. Brown mackerel is among the better-known tabby color combinations in the breed.
5. Norwegian Forest Cat
Norwegian Forest Cats resemble Maine Coons in their size and long coats, although the breeds developed independently. This breed is also popular in mackerel tabby. They have long guard hairs which accentuate the stripe pattern, particularly in brown and silver.
This natural breed originated in Norway. It has developed a coat to cope with extreme snowy winters. These cats have a thick double coat and bold stripes that combine to give them a more wild, even lynx-like appearance.
Quick Reference
| Breed | Typical Mackerel Coloring |
| Maine Coon | Brown mackerel is one of the breed’s most recognizable color combinations, though nearly every color is seen |
| British Shorthair | Silver and blue mackerel, alongside the breed’s more iconic classic tabby |
| American Shorthair | Brown and silver mackerel |
| Siberian | Brown mackerel is among the better-known tabby color combinations |
| Norwegian Forest Cat | Brown and silver mackerel |
Other Breeds Commonly Associated with the Pattern
While this list highlights five well-known examples, the mackerel tabby pattern also appears frequently in the domestic shorthair (the most common tabby cat overall), the Toyger (a breed developed specifically to enhance mackerel-style striping), and the Oriental shorthair.
How to Confirm the Pattern, No Matter the Breed
The mackerel pattern is the same for all breeds. Look for narrow, straight lines on either side. Search for a single line down the back of the body and side stripes running down from it. Next look for the M on the forehead and thin lines around the eyes.
A cat showing these features is a mackerel tabby. This is true of any cat—whether purebred Maine Coon or a regular feline from the shelter. Breed affects how the pattern appears, but the stripe arrangement itself is determined genetically.
Some words on “mixed” cats
The majority of mackerel tabbies in the world are not purebred. Most are common mixed breed cats from shelters and homes across the country. The mackerel allele is dominant over the classic allele and thus is more likely to be passed on in randomly bred cat populations than any recessive tabby gene could be.
Articles such as this tend to focus on purebreds, such as the Maine Coon. The actual home base of the pattern, however, is the everyday mixed-breed mackerel tabby. Shelters are an excellent place to find mixed-breed mackerel tabbies.
When deciding between a purebred and a mixed-breed mackerel tabby, there are a few factors you should consider.
When choosing between a purebred cat and a mixed-breed cat, don’t make a decision based on the coat pattern. A purebred such as a Maine Coon or Siberian will have a more set-in-stone size and length of coat because breeders have selected them for those characteristics over many generations. Mixed-breed cats often have greater genetic diversity, which may reduce the risk of some inherited disorders. Both are good pets, and both will look great in the mackerel pattern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which cat breeds most commonly show the mackerel tabby pattern?
Maine Coon, British Shorthair, American Shorthair, Siberian, and Norwegian Forest Cat are five well-known examples. The pattern appears in many more breeds too.
Is mackerel tabby a specific breed?
No. It is a coat pattern that can appear in almost any breed, plus countless mixed-breed cats.
What breed is best known for brown mackerel tabby coloring?
The Maine Coon and the Siberian are both especially associated with the brown-striped look, though many other breeds carry it as well.
Do mixed-breed cats commonly have mackerel tabby coats?
Yes, more than any purebred cat does. The mackerel allele is dominant over the classic allele, so it spreads easily through random-bred cat populations everywhere.
