Smoke vs. unsound coat

[speakhandsforme]

Hi everyone

I'm not a breeder, and I only have moggies, but I've been reading up on certain breeds lately and I have a question for the all-knowing coat color experts. :lol3:

How do you know the difference between smoke and an unsound black coat in a moggie? (Obviously you would know if it was a pedigree.)

How do the two coats compare in appearance?

Is there a genetic determinant for a smoke that would only (or 99% probability) be present in a purebred?

Thanks!

 

[missymotus]

Smokes have a pure white undercoat, an unsound coat would just be lighter than the top coat. On a black cat a brownish undercoat, rather than the proper white of a smoke. 

An unsound coat can also appear patchy, darker and lighter in parts. 

 

[northernglow]

Smoke is a non-agouti silver. Silver is usually very obvious, whether a moggie or a purebred cat.

 

[orientalslave]

Agree the difference is very obvous.  A smoke has a bone-white undercoat even in the really short fur on their feet, an unsound cat simply has a paler undercoat - grey in the base of a black self.

 

[speakhandsforme]

Thanks!