The Abyssinian
History
While no one knows the true origin of the Abyssinian, this breed is rumoured to have descended from the same breed that inspired the ancient Egyptians to create numerous paintings and sculptures depicting similar cats.
The first known Abyssinian, named Zula, was brought to England from Ethiopia at the end of the Abyssinian War in 1868. It is unclear as to whether Zula was native to Ethiopia, then known as Abyssinia.
Later genetic testing has determined a connection to a breed found in Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean coastline. Abyssinians today still retain the jungle look of Felis Lybica, the African Wildcat ancestor of all domestic cats.
Personality
The Abyssinian, fondly called the Aby, is a lovable attentive, intelligent cat, very people orientated, extremely active and one who thrives on interaction and play.
They are not constant lap cats but they love their humans and are likely to follow you around and help you to make your bed, eat your lunch or even watch while you are taking a shower, in fact they insist on being included in all family activities as a right.
These entertainers of the cat world love to clown around for their families - hiding under blankets, behind curtains ready for an ambush and leaping to all bookshelves in a single bound. Many Abyssinians love water and will drink from a tap and some can also learn to fetch.
Features
Your first impression is that you are looking at an ancient Egyptian cat. The Abyssinian's body is medium in size, fine boned, but with well developed muscular strength. The Aby gives an instant impression of lithe and grace, with long, slim legs, giving the illusion of standing on tiptoe. The head is a modified, slightly rounded wedge, with gentle contours.
The coat is soft, silky, fine in texture but dense and resilient to the touch, with a lustrous sheen. The Abyssinian is a cat with distinctive ticking and it is this agouti ticking that gives the Abys their attractive wildcat look.
The eyes are almond shaped, large, brilliant and expressive, accentuated by a dark lid skin, encircled by a lighter coloured area. The eye colour can be gold, hazel or green.
Colours
Though tawny (ruddy) is the colour most associated with the breed, Abyssinians are widely available in cinnamon (sorrel), blue and fawn as well. Other colours such as chocolate, lilac, red, cream and torties and the silver varieties are less common.
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Tawny (Ruddy)
Rich golden brown, ticked with black or dark brown, with apricot-brown undercoat.
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Cinnamon (Sorrel)
Rich copper-red, distinctly ticked with chocolate brown. Hair tips to be darkest, with apricot undercoat, clear to the roots.
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Blue
Soft blue, ticked with deeper blue,
with pale cream or oatmeal undercoat.
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Lilac
Warm pinkish mushroom with a powdered effect ticked with a deeper shade of the same colour, with oatmeal undercoat.
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Fawn
Warm fawn with a powdered effect,
ticked with deeper shades of the same
colour, with pale fawn undercoat.
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Black Silver
Clear silver, ticked with black.
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Cinnamon (Sorrel) Silver
Clear silver, ticked with warm chocolate brown.
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Is an aby right for you?
Abyssinians are most suitable for someone looking for an active and loving cat. They will continue to entertain with their antics for years. Abyssinians seem
to live harmoniously with children and other pets. They are not well suited to someone who is looking for a pet with a low activity level. You will never be lonely with one in your home!
An Abyssinian, or two, can add such joy to your life!
