The Abyssinian
is a natural breed of domesticated cat believed to originate from one
Egyptian female kitten called Zula that was taken from a port in
Alexandria, Egypt, by a British soldier and brought to England where
the breed was developed by Zula being bred with an English tabby, and
the most 'Abyssinian' looking kitten of her litter being bred with it's
mother to splice the Abby gene. It is believed all Abyssinians in
Europe, the Americas, and Australia are descended from Zula, but there
has been at least one and possibly as many as three Abyssinians
introduced from Libya (or less likely Egypt) into the existing
Abyssinian gene pool in the USA. The Abyssinian has become one of the
most popular shorthair breed of cats in the USA. There are said to be
still wild Abyssinians in some parts of North Africa.
The Abyssinian has a distinctly ticked, tawny coat.
The tail and paws may show tabby markings, but the body must not. It
has large almond-shaped green or gold eyes with a fine dark line around
them, and large ears. The coat is generally a warm golden colour, but
"Abbys" can also be blue, fawn, cinnamon and red. There is also a
Silver Abyssinian variant whose coat shows shades of white, cream and
grey.
Abyssinians are very active, friendly, curious and
playful, but are usually not "lap cats"; they are too preoccupied
exploring and playing; they are "busy" cats, and can get bored and
depressed without daily activity and attention. Many Abyssinians enjoy
heights, and will explore their surroundings in three dimensions, from
the floor to their owner's shoulders to the top of the highest
furniture. They are highly intelligent, and probably the most
independent of any domestic breed. There is a long-haired version of
the Abyssinian, called the Somali.
The Cats Of Egypt
Abyssinians and Egyptian Maus do have something in common. They are
both natural breeds of domesticated cats, and are believed to have
originated from Egypt. Paintings and sculptures by ancient Egyptians
portrayed the Abyssinian as a colorful, elegant cat, with a beautifully
arched neck and muscular body. Today's Abyssinian is remarkably similar
to the Sacred Cat of Egypt.
History
However, recent discoveries indicate another possibility, that India
may be the origin of the Abyssinian cat, so the legends which surround
Abyssinian history are as colorful as the cat itself. The British did
much to develop the Abyssinian cat that we know today. Abyssinians are
one of the oldest recognized breeds, being accepted for showing in
Britain in 1882. In 1909, the first Abyssinians were imported to the
United States, and in 1917, the first Abyssinian was registered by an
American association. The breed was all but forgotten until 1934, when
more Abyssinians were imported. California saw its first Abyssinians
imported in 1949. By the 1990s the Abyssinian has become the most
popular shorthair breed of cats in the United States.
A Pedigreed Show Cat Abyssinians are accepted by The Cat Fanciers
Association (CFA - the largest and oldest pedigreed cat registry in the
world) for championship competition in four colors: ruddy, red, blue
and fawn. A ruddy Abyssinian has a brilliant orange-brown (burnt
sienna) ground color with ticking of black or dark brown (ticking
refers to a band, or bands, of color on the hair shaft). The red
Abyssinian has a warm, glowing red ground color with ticking of
chocolate. The blue Abyssinian has a warm cream to beige ground color
with soft blue-grey ticking. The fawn Abyssinian has a warm rose-beige
ground color with light cocoa brown ticking.
Appearance
Physically, the Abyssinian is a medium-sized cat, tremendously
powerful, yet lithe and graceful, and regal in bearing. Its moderately
wedgeshaped head is framed with large, alert ears. The eyes are large
and almond-shaped, in gold or green color. Striking tabby markings
around the eyes accentuate the typical Abyssinian expression - at once
sweet and wild.
The Abyssinian's head sits on an elegantly arched neck which leads to a
hard, muscular body. Its legs are slim and fine-boned, ending in small,
oval, compact paws which give the impression that the cat is standing
on tip-toes. The coat is silky, dense and resilient.
The Abyssinian Personality
An Abyssinian is an interactive and intelligent cat, and is devoted to
its family. It is playful, inventive, and in continuous motion (that
is, always busy). Yet an Abyssinian is sensitive to its person's every
mood, and is an attentive and expressive companion, communicating with
an unique, soft and musical voice, often barely audible.
Breed Preservation
Reputable Abyssinian breeders today work diligently to preserve these
traits which make the Abyssinian cat so distinctive both in appearance,
and as a companion animal. Great care has also been undertaken by such
breeders to maintain successfully the robustness and longevity of this
breed.
Breed Rescue
Having a problem with your pet Abyssinian? Or did you see an Abyssinian
in trouble and didn’t know where to turn? Or would you like to help by
adopting or fostering an abandoned Abyssinian?
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