Sylvester from the Looney Tunes cartoons is a beloved and well-known fictional feline. And, while we know he has a love of chasing birds and other small animals, his breed is never explicitly stated. He is usually described as being a Tuxedo cat, but this refers to the markings of his coat, and just about any breed, including the moggie or mixed-breed cat, can have Tuxedo markings. As such, we don’t really know the exact breed of cat.
What Is a Tuxedo Cat?
Tuxedo is a reference to the markings on various cats, which can be of any species. Tuxedo cats are said to look like they are wearing a black tuxedo jacket with a white shirt underneath, and this is evident in all iterations of Sylvester.
The Shorthair breeds, both American and British, are often found with Tuxedo markings, and along with the Turkish Angora and Maine Coon, these are the breeds that most often show this coloring, so Sylvester may be one of these breeds.
Although it is impossible to determine a cat’s likely behavior and even physical characteristics according to their markings, many Tuxedo owners say that they are friendly, playful, and loving cats. They are also known to be quite vocal and are happy to meow to get their point across, whatever that point might be.
The 5 Other Cartoon Cats and Famous Felines
Sylvester is a very well-known cartoon cat, but it isn’t uncommon for cats to be portrayed in pencil. Below are five more cartoon cats, including information on their known breeds.
1. Tom
From the cartoon Tom and Jerry, Tom is a gray and white cat that rarely speaks but has been known to scream and howl. He has an ongoing rivalry with Jerry the mouse and is one of the best-known and longest-serving cartoon cats. He is believed to be loosely based on a Russian Blue cat.
2. Garfield
Garfield is another very well-known cat, and while his breed is never specifically mentioned, his facial features and the markings of his ginger fur strongly suggest that he is a Persian Tabby. That doesn’t explain his love of lasagna, though.
3. Top Cat
Top Cat is just one of a large number of cats that feature in the cartoon of the same name. He is the leader of the alley cats and, as such, he is likely a moggie or a mixed breed. He is known for being funny, clever, and one step ahead of the police at all times.
4. The Cheshire Cat
Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland was written in 1865 by British author Lewis Carroll. The book also featured many popular characters, including The Cheshire Cat. The Cheshire Cat is known for his broad grin, which even gave rise to the saying “grin like a Cheshire cat.” The character is based on a British Shorthair.
5. Meowth
Meowth is a cat-like creature featured in Pokemon cartoons, games, and cards. It shares a lot of similarities with Siamese and Japanese Bobtail cats, although it is unlikely to be either. Meowth evolves into Persian, which is presumably based on a Persian cat.
Conclusion
Cats have fascinated humans for thousands of years, and this is evident in the number of cats that are portrayed in cartoons and books, as well as on film. Although the breed of Sylvester from Looney Tunes is unknown, he does have Tuxedo markings. Other famous felines include Garfield and Tom, as well as The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland.
Featured Image Credit: Characters by Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved to the copyright owners.
