Abyssinian Cats (and Somali Cats)

History

The Abyssinian cat is an old breed, and is thought to have been imported into the UK from Ethiopia. The shape, size and coat resemble the mummified cats found in Egyptian tombs, and the wall paintings that showed Bast and other feline gods. The Abyssinian may be directly descended from the sacred Ancient Egyptian cats.

In recent years, a longhaired version, known as Somali, has be recognized. It is likely that these longhaired cats have been around for many years but, in the past, were considered to be strangely coated Abyssinians. Breeders ignored their existence to the point they would sometimes not even admit that one of the longhaired cats had been born to a litter of pure Abyssinians. There are now very popular cats worldwide.

Abyssinians have been known in the UK since the mid 1800s, when the coat colour was the ruddy brown ticked pattern known today as the 'usual' Abyssinian. Today, both Abyssinians and Somali cats are bred in many different coat colours, but all have the same wildcat ticked pattern

Character and Temperament

Abyssinian and Somali cats are very intelligent and outgoing. They do not like being left alone, and pine without company. Despite their wildcat colouring, there is very little wild cat in their temperament; they are a very loving breed of cat and enjoy a domestic lifestyle. However, they do not like to be overcrowded, so do not be tempted to have too many cats if you choose an Abyssinian.

Type and Standard of Points

This should be a medium sized cat with a close-tying ticked coat that shows a good sheen. The general appearance should be of an elegant cat: the head is a round, wedge shape; the ears large and wide set with tufted tips; the neck long, and the legs long and slim; and the tail, tapering at the tip, in proportion to the length of the body.

The cats eyes should be amber, green or hazel, and the coat can be found in many colours: sorrel, blue, chocolate, lilac, silver, fawn, red, cream and tortie.