As I understand it, Calico is the description of a coat color/pattern rather than a separate breed of cat. This coloring is genetically linked to female genes. Rarely (very rarely?) there are males born with calico coloring, it seems they are born sterile. (Can anyone confirm this?)
Calico coloration happens in many cat breeds. Offhand I can think of Maine Coon and Ragdoll, as well as general mixed breed cats. It's not a breed.
Usually when calicos give birth, their male offspring are of a different coloration -- usually a tabby or solid version of one of the mother's colors. i.e. a black, white, red, or tabby male versus the calico of the mother.
(Sorry, I feel like I'm babbling here. And I used to enjoy genetic studies, too, blast it!)
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