About Abyssinian
Best Suited For: Families with older children. Not apartment cats. Enjoy room.
Comparable Breeds: Nebelung, Javanese
Lifespan: 9-13 years
Physique: Muscular, alert ears
Temperament: Active, intelligent, curious, affectionate, playful
Weight: 8-12 lb
Top Breed: 5
Height: 8-10 inches
The Abyssinian Breed History
These elegant cats are not native to Ethiopia, despite having lovely arched necks and the name “Abyssinian.” The Aby is one of the oldest breeds and looks like a cat from ancient Egypt. Uncertainty surrounds the breed’s true ancestry. They were put on display in England when a cat “captured in the late Abyssinian War” won third place in a competition at the Crystal Palace in 1871. Many breeders believe the cats, with their distinctive ticking coats, are a result of crossing British “Bunny” silver and brown tabby cats, even though there are no documents to trace this immigration.
Genetic evidence, however, suggests that the Abyssinian originated on the Indian Ocean coast. The 1930s importation of high-end Abys into North America provided the groundwork for the lineages that are still represented in the country today.
Abyssinians are friendly, clever cats that crave attention while not being lap cats.
Qualities of breeding
Abyssinians are friendly, clever cats that crave attention while not being lap cats. They get along well with other indoor cats and enjoy being around people, especially families.
Although a little obstinate, these gregarious, curious extroverts are nevertheless fascinating and vivacious. They are keen to share their discoveries and do ongoing research. Although they like to climb, abys aren’t frequently acrobats. They like to interact with toys, and they are frequently coerced into playing fetch. Although their voices are less than those of other talkative cats, like Siamese, Abyssinians are chatty and expressive cats who will speak up when necessary.
Detailed Description
The long, pointed ears on the medium-sized Abyssinians give them an alert, interested look. The almond eyes, which are varied shades of copper, gold, green, and hazel, are the focal point of the broad, wedge-shaped skull. The Aby’s strange face is also a result of these eyes. Due to its small, oval paws and long, slim legs, the breed appears to be fine-boned, yet it is actually sturdy and well-proportioned. The long tail has a large base that becomes narrower toward the tip. Aby cats have silky, thick, medium-length fur that contributes to their overall sleekness.
Colors
Each hair on an Aby’s coat develops from a lighter base color to a black tip across three or four darker bands. The Somali and the Singapura are the only other breeds that display this specific “ticking” characteristic. The original Aby’s reddish-brown base color with black ticking is referred to as “Usual” and “Ruddy” in Great Britain and the US, respectively. In this variation, the cat’s feet and the backs of its hind legs are both black.
The odd “Fawn,” with a light cream tone basis, the yellow-brown or cinnamon “Sorrell,” the light beige “Blue,” and other colorations are some of the other hues. The “Silver” Abys are not recognized as a breed by the Cat Fancier’s Association. Their undercoat has a flawless white color. The “Chocolate,” a grittier variety of sorrel, and the “Lilac,” a blue variant, are now acknowledged as champions in the UK.
Grooming Requirements
The Abyssinian’s thick, manageable coat makes grooming very simple. If the Abys coat is brushed frequently and occasionally bathed to remove loose hair, it will remain glossy and smooth. Due to the breed’s propensity for gingivitis, kittens should be taught to tolerate tooth brushing; otherwise, tartar buildup will need to be aided by dental treats.
