Question about tufted hair - toes

Hi!

I've been studying different breeds and trying to learn about them as much as I can and I have a question about the cats with tufts of hair between their toes. I've seen Maine coons, Norwegian's etc. mentioned as having this trait. What I'm wondering is if this is a normal trait for regular domestic long haired cats as well?

My cat Alley had long hair, mostly around her chin, very long on her belly etc. but shorter on her head and back and had these tufts between her toes. Alley's sister, a brown tabby, had more of a ruff with her hair more pronounced on the belly and back legs, where Alley was a little fluffier all around, and her sister also had little tufts on her ears, and between her toes.

Would this indicate one of the breeds being in their ancestry a few generations back, or is it common for regular DLH cats also? Just trying to learn as much as I can about cats, so any opinions appreciated. Thanks!

Every long hair cat and some semi-long hair cats I've seen have the extra toe/ear tufts. Its part of being a longhair cat. Some have a lot more then others.

My DLH's all have toe tuffts so I would assume it's normal for long haired breeds.

My DLH's both have toe tufts and one of them is pointed, so probably no Coon/Norwegian there. My Birman has small ear tufts too, even though ear tufts are considered undesirable in that breed. (I've always wondered why ?)