Somali Cat

Abbreviation:

Somali

FIFe:

SOM

Place of Origin:

USA

Ancestors:

Abyssinian Cat

Breed type:

Semi-haired Cat

Body type:

Flexible, muscular

Weight:

3.5 - 5.5 kg

Colour variants:

Wild-coloured, red-brown, blue, blond

History: This is a long-haired variety of Abyssinian Cats. The name of the breed was derived from Somalia, although this African country has nothing to do with the breed. The first Somali Cats were born in the United States of America. The litters of Abyssinian Cats occasionally appeared semi-haired kittens, which were eliminated from the breed. Later, however, breeders decided to breed these semi-long-haired versions of Abyssinian Cats in order to create a new variety. This was successful and at the end of the 1960s the breed was recognized by a number of associations.

Temperament: Since it is a sister´s breed of the Abyssinian cat, it is not surprising that both breeds are similar in character. Somali Cats are peaceful, but social and extrovert, with great need for contact and attention. They do not like staying alone. During absence the family members, it welcomes company of other cats or even dogs. The relationship of Somali Cats with children there is no problem. In particular, tolerance between cats may not be ideal, especially if they do not have enough space. They can also start to be jealous with the arrival of a new animal in the family. They are intelligent, curious cats that like to play and climb.

Body: Somali Cat has a muscular, massive and flexible body of medium length and moderate oriental type. They cannot be too large, rough or subsoil. Relatively slender legs have charming small paws of oval shape. The long tail is wide at the base and narrows to the tip. The broad head is rounded, with a slightly curved profile and a large chin. Almond's eyes are placed diagonally on the head. Low-seated ears are relatively large. They are wide on the base and run to the tip.

Coat: The long haired coat of Somali Cat is clearly longer and fuller in the thighs, tail, lower abdomen, around the collar and chest.

Care:  Somali´s cats coat is is not spilling, their cat do not need special care. To remove dead hair it is ideal to use a brush made of bristle. We can sometime brush their coat with normal brush. Brushing too hard it could damage the coat. If necessary we can clean their ears and cut claws.

Colour Varieties: The original coat colour of Somali Cat is wildly coloured (ruddy). From that time, diluted hair coats were developed over time. The back of the hind legs and feet are always darker. The “front mirror” is always brick-red with a darker trim. All Somali Cats show noticeable ticking on the hair (alternating the basic colour of the coat with two or three darker pigment strips). Ticking must be as clean as possible, and the tip of the hair must always have a darker pigmentation. Allowed is a little white on the chin and on the pads for tactile hairs. Eyes can have amber, green or yellow colour regardless of the colour of the coat. The final colour of the coat can develop only around the second year of age. They are most commonly found in these colours:

• Wildlife (Ruddy): The most famous and most common colour variety of Somali Cats. The coat has a reddish base and black ticking. The feet and back of the hind legs are black.
• Rosemary: The basic colour of the coat is also reddish brown, but the ticking and colour of the feet and back of the hind legs is cinnamon.
• Blue: The basic colour of the coat is light beige, ticking, feet and boots are steel-blue.
• Sweet: The basic coat colour is light cream and has a dark creamy ticking. The feet and boots are coloured warm with a warm cream.