Abyssinian

Description / History     

Abyssinians are one of the oldest breeds. Ancient Egyptian art portrays cats very similar to Abyssinians, with a muscular body, thin, arched neck, large ears and almond shaped eyes. Abyssinians have a wild look reminicient of felis lybica, the ancestor of all domestic cats, believed to be African. 

As with their history, the name Abyssinian is the source of some confusion. Many assume, incorrectly, that Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia) is the original home of this breed. The name, however, is attributed to a British exhibition which mistakenly reported their origin as Abyssinia. 
The first mention of Abyssinians appears in Gordon Staples' 1874 book, with the caption "Zula, the property of Mrs. Captain Barrett-Lennard. This cat was brought from Abyssinia at the conclusion of the war…" The British withdrawl from Abyssinia in 1868 may coincide with the introduction of ticked coat cats to Britain, however, no records confirm this theory. Many breeders believe Abyssinians were cross-bred with silver and brown tabby cats and native ticked cats. 
  
Abyssinians were first to North American at the turn of the century, with top quality Abyssinian breeding stock arriving from Britain in the 1930s. This later arrival is the foundation of North America's breeding stock. 
 
Weight: 8-10 lbs.

Eyes: The Abyssinians eyes are almond shaped; green amber or hazel in color.

Coat: Soft, silky, fine in texture; dense and resilient to the touch; lustrous sheen; medium in length with two or three dark bands of ticking.

Associations: The Abyssinian is accepted by all major associations.

Books about this breed:

• This Is the Abyssinian Cat by Kate Faler

• Guide to Owning an Abyssinian Cat by Judah Track

• Abyssinian Cats : Everything About Acquisition, Care, Nutrition, Behavior, Health Care, and Breeding (Complete Pet Owner's Manual) by J. Anne Helgren