by Heddie Leger

The Abyssinian is often considered to be the cat that the Ancient Egyptians worshiped, as it looks similar to mummified cats that have been discovered. It certainly comes from the right area, as the earliest Abyssinian type cats were imported from Abyssinia (now Ethiopia), although these first specimens may have looked a little different from the attractively ticked and regal looking cat that we now see. There is no question that the Abyssinian resembles the African wildcat ancestor of the domestic cat however.

History of the Abyssinian Cat
The history of the Abyssinian cat is a little obscure, although it is fairly certain that the wife of an English Army officer, a Mrs Captain Barrett-Leonard, brought the original specimen back to Britain from Abyssinia in 1868. Other members of the army may have also brought these cats back from what is now known as Ethiopia around this time. It is known that the first mention in a book was in 1874, the breed was recognized in Britain in 1882 and the breed was shown at the Crystal Palace in 1883. The first Abyssinians to arrive in North America were probably exported in the early 1900’s. It is also possible that very similar cats were brought to Britain from Southeast Asian and the Indian Ocean coast, and genetic studies may indicate that the modern Abyssinian is closely related to cats that are found in these areas.

The Abyssinian is not a prolific breeder, and generally will have only three or four kittens in a litter. The Abyssinian kitten is born with a dark coat that gradually lightens as it grows. It may take a long time for the final coat colour to be established. The ticking is not present at birth, and develops over the first few weeks of life. Their lifespan is 9-15 years. Adult Abyssinians don’t reach their full potential in coloring or ticking until they around a year and a half old. A kitten who looks pale and washed out when its first baby coat comes in after birth could become a vibrantly colored beauty when its color reaches its maturity.

Most Common Colors
There are four most common colors of Abyssinians are: Ruddy, Red, Blue and Cream. The Ruddy Abyssinians, are a soft, rich coat of ruddy brown. Each hair is ticked with shades of brown or black with a vibrant burnt orange color closest to the skin. The insides of the legs and the underbelly are of the same burnt orange color, unmarked; the more vibrant the color, the better. They may have no stripes, lines or barring, and no white marks anywhere on the body. The legs should be of a clear color without barring. Eyes are generally rich golden, but hazel or green are also acceptable. Like all cats, kittens eyes are blue at birth and start changing at a few months of age. It is theorized that the longer it take the eyes to change to their full color, the richer in color they will be. The nose is tile red, and the paw pads are brown or black. Abys are very alert, active and nothing in their domain gets past their notice or curiosity. They are similar in appearance to a small cougar, lithe yet muscular and strong with exceptional balance.

Medium-Sized Cats
Abyssinians are medium-sized cats. They are very elegant, regal-looking cats with strong, lithe bodies and long, slender legs. Their paws are small and oval. They have round, wedge-shaped heads with distinctive tuffed tips to the ears which are large and pointed and set wide apart. Their eyes are large and almond-shaped and they have short, close-lying coats with at least double ticking. Their tails are fairly long, broad at the base and tapering to a point.

Ghost marking on legs, stomach and chest; too much marking on face; absence of outline around eyes; small or pointed ears; round eyes; unclear eye colour; cobby appearance; too deep a nose break.

Although most Abyssinians are healthy cats there are a few hereditary diseases which are known to appear in the breed. Progressive retinal atrophy has been reported, and may be detected from a few months of age in some cases. Cats with symptoms of PRA should not normally be used for breeding. Neurological storage disease has been reported in this breed and renal amyloidosis, a form of kidney disease, has also been seen. There is also some speculation as to whether the Abyssinian is prone to developing psychogenic alopecia, a stress related disorder which leads to hair loss through overgrooming.

The Abyssinian is intelligent and curious, but this is tempered with a cautious streak. It is extremely loyal, and will become very attached to its family; in fact it will pine if deprived of their company. The male will generally tolerate other cats well, but the female may be a little prickly and prefer to be the only cat in the family. Both sexes can form strong attachments to dogs. The worst thing that you can do to an Abyssinian is deprive it of human company, and it is important that it lives in a household where people are usually at home. It also hates being confined, and needs plenty of space. It is a good climber, and will appreciate a garden full of trees and high places. This cat is not much of a talker, but will still let its owner know exactly what it wants. It is playful and inquisitive but also sensible and will not rush into situations recklessly. After a game it will be happiest sat on its owners lap being stroked and petted.

What greater gift than the love of a cat?

Charles Dickens