The Abyssinian is a breed of domesticated cat which is sometimes believed to have originated from one Egyptian female kitten called Zula that was taken from a port in Alexandria, Egypt, by a British soldier and brought to England. The Abyssinian is one of the oldest known breeds. It resembles the ancient Egyptian cat more than any other, although there's no solid proof the Aby is the same breed.

Abyssinian Cat Origin

The origins of the Abyssinian breed are still somewhat of a mystery, and exotic stories abound about where these cats originated.

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. This theory is not established as true because there is no solid link between the cat listed as an Abyssinian in 1882 and Zula.

There have also been at least one, and possibly as many as three Abyssinians introduced from Libya (or less likely Egypt) into the existing Abyssinian gene pool in the USA. Many sources spread the story that Abyssinian breed is a few thousands years old and that it directly comes from ancient Egypt. There are also stories that wild 'Abyssinians' live in parts of North Africa today. The Abyssinian has become one of the most popular shorthair breed of cats in the USA.

So the truth is that the origins of the Abyssinian are impossible to verify. Beyond dispute, however, are its distinctive type, ticking and colour, which have survived at least a century. Today one may hear Aby lovers deplore the variation in type which commonly occurs.

Abyssinian Cat Appearence

Abyssinians have short, shiny hair. The coat is ticked (this means that each hair has bands of color). The coat color can be red, ruddy, blue (beige with specks of blue/black), or fawn. The Abyssinian's body is of medium length, lithe, with well-developed muscles.

This regal cat has a long, arched neck, slim legs and a long. The paws are small and oval. The Abyssinian has a fairly long tail, broad at the base and tapering to a point. The head is broad and moderately wedge-shaped, with almond-shaped eyes that can be gold, green, hazel or copper. The ears are large, alert, and set widely apart.

The nose and chin usually form a straight vertical line when viewed in profile. Their alert, relatively large ears are broad and cupped at the base, and moderately pointed at the tips, where tuffs of hair commonly seen. Large ear tuffs are viewed as a must for show breeds. An M -shaped marking is sometimes found in the fur on the forehead.

Abyssinian Cat Colors and Coats

Though ruddy is the color most associated with the breed, "Abys" are widely available in blue, fawn, and red (also known as sorrel), as well. They are also available in silver tones, lavender, chocolate, and sex-linked red, though not widely in the United States.

The coat is short, dense, and silky to the touch. The Abyssinian, and a similar long-hair breed called the Somali (cat) , have coats that are unusual enough to catch attention. These felines owe their special coat to one dominant mutant gene known as Ta. Each hair has a base-colour with three or four darker-coloured bands; the hair is the lighter colour at the root, and the darker "ticking" colour at the tip. The Somali and Abyssinian are the only types of cats that have the Ta gene, and thus are the only breeds featuring this special ticking.

The Abys Temperament

The Abyssinian is a very active, playful, and inquisitive breed. Aby cats are extroverted, willful and intelligent, but are usually not "lap cats", being too preoccupied with exploring and playing as they would in their natural habitat. Although very popular among breeders and owners, Abyssinians aren't often used as show cats because of their shyness towards strangers and their timid nature. They have quiet, engaging voices that can often be misleading. Abys need a great deal of contact with the family to keep them happy and can get depressed without daily activity and attention. They generally get on well with other cats, although they need their space and the females can sometimes be irritable around other cats. Abyssinians are known for their curiosity and enjoy exploring their surroundings, including heights, although they are sensible cats that do not take unnecessary risks.