Who could fail to be enchanted by this wild-looking creature? Certainly not the Ancient Egyptians, who, if popular theory is to be believed, worshipped the Abyssinian’s antecedents as incarnations of the goddess Bast.
History
As befits its arcane aura, the Abyssinian origins have become largely hidden with time. The breed is arguably natural, possibly old, and probably descended in modern times from a cat called Zula who was imported into Britain from Ethiopia in 1868.Because Zula, of whom we have a photograph, didn’t look anything like today’s Abyssinians, there are those who believe that the cat is either a product of early breeders trying to produce an “Egyptian-like” cat. Other Abyssinian fanciers point out that the Romans are known to have imported cats from Egypt into Britain, and may therefore have introduced the gene for the “Egyptian look” into the native feline population.
Temperament
The Abyssinian’s alert expression is reflected in its delightful personality. It is sweet-tempered, intelligent, and described by some as obedient.
Variety
There are number of varieties (see chart), although some are still shown in assessment classes.
History
As befits its arcane aura, the Abyssinian origins have become largely hidden with time. The breed is arguably natural, possibly old, and probably descended in modern times from a cat called Zula who was imported into Britain from Ethiopia in 1868.Because Zula, of whom we have a photograph, didn’t look anything like today’s Abyssinians, there are those who believe that the cat is either a product of early breeders trying to produce an “Egyptian-like” cat. Other Abyssinian fanciers point out that the Romans are known to have imported cats from Egypt into Britain, and may therefore have introduced the gene for the “Egyptian look” into the native feline population.
Temperament
The Abyssinian’s alert expression is reflected in its delightful personality. It is sweet-tempered, intelligent, and described by some as obedient.
Variety
There are number of varieties (see chart), although some are still shown in assessment classes.
| Varieties | Base Colour | Ticking Colour |
| Usual | Rudy brown | Black or dark brown |
| Sorrel | Copper-red | Chocolate |
| Blue | Warm blue-grey | Steel blue |
| Fawn | Medium fawn | Deep fawn |
| Lilac | Light pinkish grey | Darker pinkish grey |
| Silver | Silver | Black |
| Silver Sorrel | Silver peach | Chocolate |
| Silver Blue | Silvery blue-grey | Deep steel blue |
Usual Abyssinian
The original variety, the Usual was at one time known as a Rabbit or Hare Cat – a reference to the similarly ticked coat, which, as in all varieties of Abyssinian, is characterized by a distinctive agouti (a form of tabby) fur that has two to three darker-colored bands along each hair.
Picture: Usual AbyssinianBody
Medium in length, lithe and graceful, but with a muscular appearance.
Coat
Glossy and soft, but also dense and resilient to the touch. The fur is short, but still long enough to accommodate two to three bands of black or dark brown ticking over a ruddy brown base color.
Tail
Thick at the base, fairly long and tapering with black tail tipped.
Legs
Long, slender, and fine-boned, giving the impression of being on tip-toe when standing.
Feet
The paws are small and oval-shaped with black paw pads.
HeadRound and gently wedge-shaped, with a medium-size nose and brick-red nose pad.
Eyes
Large, almond-shaped and amber, hazel or green in color. Eyes are rimmed in black or dark brown, encircled by a paler area.
Ears
Large, set wide apart, and pointed and ear tufts.
Facial Characteristics
Usual Abyssinian.
In profile, this Usual Abyssinian’s proud, Sphinx-like, bearing inevitably prompts comparison with the cats portrayed on the murals of Ancient Egypt – giving credence to the belief that this was the cat so revered by the Pharaohs.
Picture: Usual Abyssinian KittenUsual Abyssinian Kitten
Abyssinian litters are usually small and mostly male. The kittens mature early (although it may be eighteen months or so before the coat develops fully) and are particularly lively and friendly.
Picture: Silver Sorrel AbyssinianSilver Sorrel Abyssinian
Chocolate ticking over a silver-peach base color gives this recently developed variety a soft, graceful, charm.
Picture: Blue AbyssinianBlue Abyssinian
Unusually, the ticking of this naturally occurring variety is blue, over a blue-grey base color, rather than the black that might be expected.
