ABYSSINIANS:

It is believed that the cat was brought to the UK in the 1860s. At first the cat was crossed with British Shorthairs, and later with oriental breeds.

The cat was imported in 1900 to America with some breeding programs starting in the United States in the 1930s. It is thought that it was a good thing that cats were exported to the U.S. because World War II took a toll on breed numbers but the breed was built up again in the USA.

• The Abyssinian is a slender, lithe, fine-boned, medium sized cat with shortish to medium length silky hair and long, slender legs.
• The fur has a distinctive ticked look. The coat comes in several colors – but its base color is a glossy reddish-brown base with black ticking.
• You’ll find that the feline reaches a height of 20-25 cm (7.5-11 inches) and that its length is roughly 30-41 cm (12-17 inches). When your Abyssinian is an adult it will weigh about 4-5 kg (8.5-12 lbs). With good care, your feline pet can reach up to 13 years of age.
• The kittens are born with dark coats, but as they mature, the coat lightens. The head of the cat is somewhat wedge-shaped and it has fairly large ears with big almond-shaped eyes. The eyes can be green, golden or hazel, depending on the coat shade. The tail is long and tapering.

Basic Information:

Origin: Ethiopia

Weight Male: 4 - 5 kg 8 - 12 pounds

Weight Female: 3 - 4 kg 6.5 - 8 pounds

Life Span: 10 - 13 Years

Litter Size: 3 - 6

Other Names: Bunny Cat, Aby

Colors Available: many colors - reddish-brown base with black ticking.

Coat: Short and close-lying

Shedding: Moderate, Seasonal

Temperament: Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial

Grooming: Low maintenance

Trainability: Easy

Friendly: Yes

New Owners Friendly: Yes

SOMALIS:

The Somali is a medium- to longhaired
Abyssinian. It was in Britain that the original introduction of the longhaired gene took place.

The first Somali cats came about in 1940 and it was British breeder Janet Robertson who exported some of her Abyssinian kittens to New Zealand, Australia and North America, Australia. Most of the kittens had long hair and breeders started showing an interest.

An American Abyssinian breeder Evelyn Mague decided to call her cats Somalis and the breed was recognized internationally by 1991.

• The beautiful Somali is a medium-sized cat which means he/she weighs in the region of 3 to 6kg (6,5 - 14 lbs). He/she is muscular and lean with the ears being set wide apart.
• The ears are also tufted. The eyes of the Somali are almond-shaped and are usually a brown shade or green in color. The legs are long and the paws are also somewhat tufted. The tail is well plumed.
• The Somali's coat is lovely and soft, while being thick and lustrous. The adult cats have a ruff. The Somali's coat comes in a range of colors but the most regular color is a beautiful brownish color with black ticking.

Basic Information:

Origin: United States

Weight Male: 3 - 6 kg 6.5 - 14 pounds

Weight Female: 3 - 5 kg 6.5 - 11 pounds

Life Span: 10 - 15 Years

Litter Size: 2 - 6

Colors Available: Coat of many colors - mostly brownish color with black ticking.

Coat: Medium length, soft and silky

Shedding: Moderate

Temperament: Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial

Grooming: Moderate maintenance

Trainability: Easy

Friendly: Yes

New Owners Friendly: Yes