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Breed Profile

Size: Medium
Origin: United States
Colour: Ruddy, Red, Blue, Fawn

The longhaired version of the Abyssinian Cat. The ticked coat is not only longer but also softer, silkier and with more colour-bands per hair. Apart from its coat, the breed is essentially the same as the Abyssinian.

Owner's Guide

Domestic Breed. The longhaired version of the Abyssinian Cat. The ticked coat is not only longer but also softer, silkier and with more colour-bands per hair. Apart from its coat, the breed is essentially the same as the Abyssinian.

Its name has no historical significance. It is doubtful whether any Somali Cat has ever trodden on Somali soil. It was given to the new breed simply because Somalia is close to Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) and the Somali cat is close to the Abyssinian Cat.
It has been referred to as a 'soft orange cloud' and a 'striking red fox', or simply the 'fox cat'.

Appearance: As for the Abyssinian Cat except for the semi-long hair on its body, the ruff and the thickly plumed tail. Often described as a 'wild-looking cat'.

History: The Somali began as unwanted accidents in the 1950s and 1960s, with long-haired kittens turning up unexpectedly in short-haired Abyssinian litters. Initially, they were given away as pets and excluded from future pedigree breeding plans, but then it was decided that they had a special appeal of their own and were treated more seriously, leading eventually to the establishment of a new breed. Long-haired Abyssinians from the USA, Australia and New Zealand were exchanged to improve the quality of the foundation stock.

The moving force in developing the Somali was the American breeder Evelyn Mague, from Gilette, New Jersey. It was she who named the breed and whose male kitten, George, became its 'founding father'. He was born in 1967 and heralded a long-term breeding programme. It was successful and eventually, in 1972, a breed club was formed - The Somali Cat Club.

In 1978, the new Somali Cat achieved championship status with the CFA in the United States. A year earlier, in 1977, Somalis had been exported to continental Europe, where breeding programmes were quickly instigated. Matters moved more slowly in Britain.

British breeders have always been more resistant to novelties and were reluctant to accept the Somali. As early as 1971, two long-haired Abyssinians had been exhibited at a cat show in London, but they were badly received and were ignored as potential pedigree cats for the future. It was not until 1981, when the breed was already fully accepted elsewhere, that the first imported pair arrived in Britain and were given due attention. The breed was recognized by FIFe in 1982.

In Australia it is reported that the Somali has almost eclipsed its ancestor, the Abyssinian.

It should be noted that there has been considerable controversy over the true source of the original 'accidents' that led to this breed. Some have claimed that a long-haired breed must have been introduced into the Abyssinian stock at some early stage in the development of that breed (a Persian in 1900 is specifically mentioned), and that these elements then re-emerged years later. Others feel strongly that such a crossing played no part and that the recessive long-haired gene cropped up naturally, as a simple mutation in otherwise pure Abyssinian stock. The latter explanation seems to be more likely because, apart from its longer hair, the Somali does not show any non-Abyssinian features.

Personality: Terms used to describe this breed include: Extrovert, active, alert, aware, athletic, shrewd, lively, friendly, good-tempered, affectionate, playful, intelligent, demonstrative and gentle. Requires considerable freedom.

Colour forms:

GCCF:
Usual (= Ruddy); Sorrel; Chocolate; Blue; Lilac; Fawn; Red; Cream.
TORTIE; Usual Tortie; Sorrel Tortie; Chocolate Tortie; Blue Tortie; Lilac Tortie; Fawn Tortie.

SILVER; Usual Silver; Sorrel Silver; Chocolate Silver; Blue Silver; Lilac Silver; Fawn Silver; Red Silver; Cream Silver.

TORTIE SILVER: Usual Tortie Silver; Sorrel Tortie Silver; Chocolate Tortie Silver; Blue Tortie Silver; Lilac Tortie Silver; Fawn Tortie Silver.

CFA: Ruddy (= Usual); Red; Blue; Fawn.

Bibliography:

1994. Talbert, K. The Somali: That Foxy Cat! In: Cat Fancy, June 1994. p.32-33.

Breed Clubs:

The Grand Somali Society. Address: 238, Church St., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601, USA.

International Somali Club. A CFA affiliated club, formed in 1975. Address: 10 Western Blvd., Gillette, NJ 07933, USA.

Somali Cat Club (UK) Formed in 1981, it issues a twice-yearly Journal. Address: 21 Norman Road, Sutton, Surrey, SM1 2TB, England.

Somali Cat Club. (USA). Formed in 1972. Address: 10 Western Blvd., Gillette, NJ 07933, USA.

Somali Cat Club of America Inc. Address: 5027 Armstrong, Wickita, KS 67204, USA.