The Abyssinian Cat

The Abyssinian cat is lean and elegant  with just a touch of wild. Very active, bright and inquisitive, it desires feedback, interaction and even some training. It is an excellent family pet, but can be a bit of a pest for those who are looking for more of a cuddle buddy or a couch potato.  The breed may have originated in Ethiopia, as the word "Abyssinian" refers to a region in there, but the development of this cat as a treasured companion occurred in Egypt many centuries ago, and representations of these sinewy and beautiful cats can be found on ancient ruins dating back to the time of the Pharaohs.

 Cool Cat Facts...
The Abyssinian Cat is one of the oldest cat breeds in
our history. Images of Abyssinians can be found on pottery and jewelry dating back thousands of years.
If King Tut had a cat, it was probably an Abyssinian!                                                                            

Is An Abyssinian Cat Right For You?

The Abyssinian is recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA), the world's largest cat organization, and is one of the most popular pure-bred or "pedigreed" domestic cat breeds. They are pleasant, playful and refined and are believed to be one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. Abyssinians come in a variety of shades from lilac to chocolate brown but ruddy, sable and buff colors are most common. The coat is ticked, meaning individual hairs are banded with color. These are slender, medium-sized cats with short coats that require little grooming, and have few breed-related health issues. Because it is active and desires interaction the Abyssinian is a superb family cat that does well with considerate children and can become very attached. This is an expressive and lovely breed.

Abyssinian Cat Breed Standards

Head Shape: The head of the Abyssinian cat should be a mild wedge shape with no pronounced "stop". The skull should be rounded and in general proportion to the body. The muzzle is delicate but well formed. Not pointed or foxy in appearance. Adult males sometimes have additional jowling.  The ears are large, alert and moderately pointed, broad at the base and well cupped. The eyes are almond shaped, large and expressive, with a slight upward slant. The eyes have darker skin on the lids which gives a mascara look, and is highlighted by the fact that the fur around the eye itself is lighter than the rest of the face. There are dark, vertical "pencil marks" above the eyes. Accepted eye colors are gold, green or hazel.
Body and Tail: Graceful, lean and of medium length. Muscular but never course. The cat should be solid to the feel with well-sprung ribs and a slightly arched back. There should be no pronounced tuck-up of the belly when viewed from the side. The legs are muscular and of medium length without coarseness. The feet are compact, well-knuckled and oval in shape. Five toes in front and four in back. The tail is relatively thick at the base, long in proportion and evenly tapered.
Coat: The fur is dense, fine and lustrous. Medium in length and close to the body but not slick. Ticked with at least four alternating light and dark bands of color on each strand of hair.
Color: Ticked pattern with shading in tones of ruddy, fawn, brown and blue. The tail may be tipped with black. No defined or outlined patterns, only shading.
Overall: The ideal Abyssinian is a medium sized cat with an exotic appearance. They should have an athletic, lean and lithe quality and be graceful and quiet in movement. The ticked coat with individual bands of color around each strand of hair gives a shimmering, almost iridescent appearance. This cat should be bright, active and friendly in personality.

Inside Cat or Outside Cat?

Wondering if you should allow your cat to go outside unsupervised? Well there are definitely some pure breeds that should never be outside cats. Hairless breeds like the Sphynx are extremely vulnerable and should always be supervised outdoors. Docile breeds like the Burmese may not be able to defend themselves. All cats allowed outdoors are exposed to diseases and parasites that they would not otherwise encounter. Fred Flintstone put his saber-tooth out every night, but the cat jumped right back in the window - and he was a saber-tooth! Still, most of us feel a little envy when we see our domestic companion out on some high perch, sniffing the breeze of liberty, and there is no doubt that cats love their freedom. So what do YOU think ....Inside Cat or Outside Cat? Comment Here...

                Back from Abyssinian Cat to Cat Breeds Encyclopedia.com