Abyssinian Cats

Cats resembling Abyssinians have been reportedly found in parts of India, Greece, Egypt, and Ethiopia, formerly Abyssinia, from where the Abyssinian gets their name. Images of small domestic sized cats resembling Abyssinians have been found in Egyptian tomb paintings. Some of the smaller breeds of African wild cats have looks much in common with the Abyssinian.

The Abyssinian cat is said to be descended from a cat called Zula, brought to England by Captain Barrett Leonard when he returned from service in the Abyssinian wars in the 1860's. Apparently, he brought two cats, but Zula was the sole survivor. The British were known for bringing home "souvenirs" of their conquests. It's not too hard to imagine that they probably brought these unusual cats also, just as they did with the Persian, Angora, and Siamese types. Needless to say, there is no verifiable record of Abyssinian cats directly descended from Zula, but Abyssinians were certainly exhibited at Crystal Palace in 1871, so that this breed may claim to be one of the original pedigree cats.

The origins of the domestic cat, whether pedigree or not, are shrouded in mystery, but it is beyond dispute that the Egyptians venerated the cat, forbade its export from Egypt and established temples to its worship, notably at Bubastis. Egyptian cats were mummified in their thousands. Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, includes some of the sources of the Nile River, so it's also not hard to imagine that similar cats were also found along the length of the river. The Egyptian's reverence of their cats was well documented by ancient historians. Abyssinian maidens who owned one of these cats were highly desirable as a marriage partner.

Another theory is that the Abyssinian breed was created by selective breeding of domestic British cats. This theory is also quite valid, especially since the British cat population included the descendants of the earlier mentioned souvenirs! Truly, the British have to be credited for the establishment of the Abyssinian as a breed, since it was the British that created the pedigreed cat registries and made a name for the Abyssinian. Cat shows became quite popular in the late 1800's and the earliest recorded Abyssinian was registered in 1896. Many of the earliest had one or both parents listed as "unknown", and early pedigrees show Siamese and brown tabbies as contributors to the gene pool. For example the so-called British ticked tabby, or "bunny cat", a cobby creature with ticked coat, short legs and thickish tail, might well be behind Abyssinians such as Ras Imru, judging by photographs. The agouti coat pattern is dominant, which explains its survival. Indeed many tabby cats have distinct ticking in addition to their stripes, spots and bars.

A study of early photographs reveals the persistence of the characteristic gently rounded Abyssinian head, with wide-set, large, tufted and listening ears. The ears extend the lines of the moderate wedge. Eyes are a rounded almond shape, in an oriental setting. The hair around the eyes is pale and the eyelid edge darker. The Aby has slight nose-break, rounded muzzle with a slight indentation and a firm chins. Most characteristic of all are the markings, in the ticking color, which extend from the inner edge of the eye to the top of the head and from the outer edge of the eye to the ears. The "Aby look", wild but not savage, centers on the large expressive eyes, whose glance is intelligent, mischievous, demanding and yet affectionate and sensitive. Body shape and coat, however, have varied widely. Some early cats such as Ras Imru, mentioned above, were course coat, not at all like the lithe, medium sized, muscular cats of foreign type specified today. Others, particularly in the 1950's tend to the oriental in shape and quite a few have completely straight profiles.

Certainly two Siamese appear in the back lines of every modern Abyssinian and these are unlikely to have been the only outcrosses used to improve the vigor of a numerically small breed. Then there are the "white Abyssinians", almost certainly Siamese variants! The Aby coat is distinctly ticked, with three or four bands of color, ending in the ticking color. A clear undercoat is desirable, but grey roots (in Usual Abyssinians only), a common feature of agouti coats, persist. They are a serious fault if found all over. Today's cats usually have the find short coats specified by the current Standard. However, some modern Aby coats are arguably too short and soft, which probably reflects outcrosses to Siamese and Burmese at various times. The older-style coat is preferred by some, fine and nearly double, resilient and close lying and with just a hint of crispness, like polished rice, on the surface.

Still very few representatives of other breeds have added to the breed over the years, and those that did, were in carefully controlled breeding programs. Most Abyssinian pedigrees today will show 15 to 20 generations or more of only Abyssinian to Abyssinian breeding. Within the last few decades, efforts have been made to re-establish the silver variety, and matings with silver non-Abyssinian cats were done. This has not been popular with the breed "purists" but the infusion to the now very limited gene pool can only be beneficial.

Abyssinians are now to be found in 5 Championship colors, Usual, Sorrel, Blue, Fawn and Silver. Usual is the foundation color, a rich golden brown ticked with black it is the most popular color variety - ruddy, with red, or cinnamon, a close second. Blue and fawn are also accepted, some registries recognize the silver variations on those colors: altogether 23 colors registered, including chocolate and tortoiseshell.

The Abyssinian has a wonderful inquisitive personality that fits well with today's lifestyle. Active and intelligent, they make engaging companions for people of all ages. Abyssinians retain more of their kittenish behaviors well into middle age, and even the older ones are game for a bout with their favorite teaser, or fishing pole toy. They like to perch with a good view of their surroundings, so expect them to be on top of doors, or walking the curtain rods. Almost every Abyssinian will try anything edible at least once, and some develop tastes for unusual cat fare such as watermelon and avocados. For cats, a meat based diet is mandatory, so these gourmet delights should be limited to occasional treats. Do not expect an Abyssinian to be a lap-cat or couch potato. These cats have an agenda, or maybe they still remember that their kind were once considered gods. When they're ready though, don't be surprised if you find them in your lap on cooler days or under the covers of the bed with you at night.

STANDARTS OF THE BREED

A balanced medium sized cat of foreign type. The lithe, muscular body should be of medium build and have a well ticked close lying coat, which conforms to the standard for that colour.

Head - All head contours should be gently rounded, especially from the brow to the top of the head. Wide between the ears, forming a moderate wedge, which tapers from the outer edge of the ear base to a slightly rounded muzzle. A slight indentation forms the muzzle. Allowance should be made for fuller cheeks in adult males. A slight nose break is essential: a bump on the nose is undesirable. The line from the nose tip to the very firm chin should be straight. An elegant neck should arch in an unbroken line from the top of the head to shoulders.

Ears - Set wide apart, large, well cupped, pricked and furry on their inner edges. Ear tufts are desirable. From the front view, the line of the ears should follow the head wedge.

Eyes - Set well apart, large expressive and rounded almond shape in an oriental setting. Colour to be a deep shade of amber, hazel, or green.

Body - Lithe, muscular body of medium build and size. Back straight from shoulder to rump and ribcage rounded.

Legs and Feet - Slender and elegant, in proportion to the body with small oval feet.

Tail - Thick at base, tapering and long enough to reach the cat's shoulders.

Coat - Short and close lying, fine, but not soft. Distinctly ticked, resulting in at least four bands of colour. The roots must be the colour of the base hair, and the final band must be of the ticking colour.

Markings - Pigmentation lines of the ticking colour must extend from the inner edge of the eye to the top of the head: and also from the outer edge of the eye to the edge of the ear.

The hair around the eyes is pale and the eyelid darker. The back of the ears should be darker at the tips, preferably with clear, brighter colour at the base. Chin, lips, and nostrils should be the colour of the base hair, or cream: white hair is undesirable. White markings, such as a locket, anywhere are not permitted. A line of ticking colour should extend from the back of the head along the spine and tail, ending in a solid tip of that colour, the same colour to extend well up the hock. There should be no heavy necklet or bars or any other marks, although, a faint broken necklet, or slight leg barring is acceptable.