The Ocicat has a very complex genetic background. This of course means that they are an exceptionally healthy breed. It also results in cats of distinctive beauty being produced that have the Ocicat pedigree but lack the characteristic spotted pattern. Instead they have fascinating markings including a 'butterfly' on the back of the neck, with 'oysters' and 'swirls' on their sides while retaining the spotted tummy and facial markings of the Spotted Ocicat.

Any spotted Ocicat who carries the classic pattern gene can produce such a Classic patterned kitten. However, that particular gene is recessive to the gene for the spotted pattern, which makes the appearance of the Classic pattern quite rare. The pattern is extraordinarily beautiful on what is still a pure Ocicat with all the same wonderful temperament and behaviour and of the same type and build.

Many breeders prize the Classic pattern variety very highly for breeding purposes, as they tend to produce kittens of exceptional quality with big spots. All the 12 usual Ocicat colours can be reproduced in the Classic.

In New Zealand, the Classic patterned Ocicats have been officially recognised for some time and even have their own name; Jungalas or Classicats. In the UK, we've had a long wait to gain that recognition but preliminary recognition of Ocicats with a classic coat pattern has been sought, under the name "Ocicat Classic". On 30th July 2008, the Executive Committee of the GCCF approved the Application for Preliminary Recognition of the Ocicat Classic. The GCCF then granted that Preliminary Recognition to the Ocicat Classic breed with immediate effect, at the Council meeting on 29th October 2008. They could then earn merits for the next stage and be judged under the same GCCF standard of points as for the Ocicat, the only difference being the coat pattern. The required number of cats each earned their four merits each by different judges and the application for the next stage was put forward and approved in February 2011.  Now we're at the Provisional Stage and from the start of the 2011 show year can compete for Intermediate certificates.  Each cat requires 3 of these (each by different judges) and this time they will be competing against each other. We look forward to seeing many Ocicat Classics on the show bench in the future.

Description of the Classic Tabby pattern

The Ocicat Classic standard of points is identical to that of the spotted Ocicat with the exception of the description of the pattern, which should be as follows –

On the neck and upper chest there should be unbroken necklaces, the more the better. 

One of the lines running from the top of the head down the back of the neck should extend to the shoulder markings which should be shaped like a butterfly when viewed from above; both upper and lower wings should be clearly defined in outline with dots inside this outline.

On the back there should be a line running down the spine from the butterfly to the tail and there should be a stripe on each side of this, running parallel to it. These three stripes should be separated from each other by stripes of the ground colour.  On each flank there should be an oyster shape patch, which should be surrounded by one or more unbroken rings.  This patch may be elongated. The ground colour and markings should be evenly balanced except on the belly, which should be predominantly lighter with spotted markings.  The markings on each side should match as closely as possible.