Abyssinian
Place of Origin: Unknown
Date of Origin: Unknown Breed Registries: CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association), FIFe, GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy), TICA (The International Cat Association) Weight Range: 9-17 pounds Grooming: Once a week Fur Length: Shorthaired Colors and Patterns: Many color forms, always with distinct ticking and facial markings. Description: The Abyssinian has a silky coat that is ticked with contrasting color bands. It has a rounded muzzle with prominent whisker pads, and distinctive dark facial markings around the eyes and on the head. Its large, alert ears are set wide apart. Its belly is lighter than the rest of its coat, and the Abyssinian has slender legs, a long tapering tail, and a well-balanced, graceful body. History: The Abyssinian is one of the oldest cat breeds, and since it is so old, its real ancestry is lost in time. Romantic tales tell of the Blue Nile cat, a direct descendant of the cats of Ancient Egypt, while others believe that British soldiers brought a cat they named "Zula" home at the end of the Abyssinian War in 1868. So far, no documentation links Zula to Abyssinians today. Recent genetic studies identify cats that lived in the coastal area of the Bay of Bengal in India potential forebears. What is known about the breed's history is that the Abyssinian was developed and refined in Britain before the first Abyssinian arrived in the US in the early 1900s. The first Abyssinian was exhibited in 1909 and in the 1930s an effort was made to develop the breed further, and the first Abyssinian bred in the US was born in 1935. Today, the Abyssinian is one of America's favorite breeds because of its expressive eyes, unique coat pattern, and its personality. The Somali, the stunning long-haired descendent of the Abyssinian, was named after the African country Somalia, which is next to Ethiopia/Abyssinia, to represent the connection between the two breeds. Personality/Temperament: Abyssinians are loyal, affectionate, and highly intelligent. They are very interactive with their owners and their environment. No place every goes unexplored by an Abyssinian, and they rarely knock anything off a shelf of a countertop. Abyssinians to view their surroundings from high up, and enjoy sitting on top of refrigerators and bookcases. They love to bird-watch and play with their owners, though they are not always content if they live with many other cats because they don't like to share attention. Find more information at: Abyssinian Cat on Petfinder.com Abyssinian Cat Breed on Vetstreet.com Breed Profile: The Abyssinian on cfa.org |
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