Tortoiseshell kitten - please tell me they can be nice!

[myhouseisfulloflego]

After much deliberating we are looking at adopting a tortoiseshell kitten. We are definitely a family of cat lovers, but I have heard that tortoiseshell cats can be a bit aloof and difficult! I'm inclined to think that a cat's personality is more to do with its early experiences than the colour of its fur, but I'm after some reassurance! Has anyone got a friendly, placid tortoiseshell? Or do they really come with so-called 'tortitude'?

Thank you!

Here's my recently rescued sibling pair. The tortie is the little girl and she's wonderful!

A little purring machine who tries to beat her brother up often. They're both so sweet.

I’ve met two tortoiseshell cats that were such loving and beautiful animals. One (Smudge) belonged to a neighbour and would rub your ankles manically with her cheeks purring, and prance about on our windowsill hoping we’d open it and stroke her. The other one was the mum of two rescue kittens we adopted, she was also super friendly and loving and happily for her had a new home lined up.

My tortie is starting to mellow now that she's in double digits. She was extremely hard work when she was younger and it took her 4 years or so to accept my husband! He can actually stroke her now! I like a feisty cat so torties are usually my favourite.
She's much friendlier and calmer now but still very prone to swiping people as a warning before giving them a quick bite!
All of that aside she's the best and I wouldn't change a thing about her

Tortitude is a real thing IME. They tend to bond very closely to 1/2 people and can be aloof and disinterested in everyone else.

My parents have a tortie atm and she is absolutely obsessed with me. Most loving and affectionate little thing ever. She’d happily spend all day in my arms/ on my lap if she could. But goes rigid and growls if other members of the family pick her up. We all adore her regardless

We have an 11 year old tortie, she is vocal, mischievous and cuddly, she loves to be cuddled up under your chin and purrs like a tractor. She does get in trouble from trashing a glass cabinet to breaking her leg jumping off a roof. Total character but was amazing with the children when babies and has mellowed out and will go for fussing from any visitors. A gorgeous cat who has a larger than life character who is a treasured member of the family.

Torties are amazing.

They do have attitude, I've never know one to be shy and retiring. Bossy, definitely. Independent? Oh yes. It takes a while to get to know them, but once you do, that's it.

If she loved you, you knew it. If she didn't she was indifferent. If she disliked you, she would sit in judgement.

She was my mothers cat and amazing, and it's been nearly a year since we said goodbye and I still cry for her.

I don't think you'd regret having a Tortie in your life.

Madam BrokenCat has 'tortitude', is very vocal, feisty, demands attention, is very loving and cuddly. She sulks if rejected when she wants a cuddle but I'm busy, but recovers given sufficient adoration affection. She's always happy to see me when I get in, wants to be around me (unless I have displeased her by such crimes as not giving her attention or giving her food she doesn't approve of), is really quite sweet. Torties definitely have personality

My torby is affectionate and playful. She does have a keen hunting eye and a strong personality, but she's very cuddly and curious.

Here's my lovely tortoishell rescue cat. She is the most playful, loving girl ever.
I only know a few tortoishells but they have all been lovely. The dark coloured ones, like mine, seem to be very gentle and friendly IMO.

And agree with pps, she took a while to warm up - adopted age 8 couple of years ago - but definitely loves me now. Definitely picky over visitors, those she approves of get demands for pets, ignores those she doesn't.

I have a tortie and she's lovely, so sweet. My mum has one who is an arsehole. Just your luck I think.

We have two torties. They are quirky - very affectionate but on their own terms. They have me and OH wrapped around their little claws.

My tortie girl is very strongly attached to me. Lots of snuggles and nose rubs. She's a rescue and been badly treated; she's scared of children and people she doesn't know well. She doesn't much like other cats, and definitely dislikes dogs. But so affectionate to those she's bonded with!!

I had a female tortie. She was a crazy kitten - I remember looking in the mirror once to see her reflection behind me, clinging to the wallpaper about eight feet off the ground!

She was a very devoted mother to her own kittens.

Due to circumstances she went to live with a relation, and they developed a terrific bond. She wasn't remotely impressed with me having a baby; she disdained me entirely until dc was at least five. She lived over twenty years and was a huge character right up to the end. We all miss her terribly.

Here's my monkey. She's a little darling most of the time but very vocal and can definitely scratch when she wants