Somali
Temperament:
*Quiet Voice
*Active
*Playful
*Intelligent
*Social
*Affectionate
"Somalis need lots of freedom."
Like the wild cat cousins that it so resembles, the Somali needs lots of time outdoors. It
loathes small, confining spaces like cat carriers and cages, so trips to the vet can be a
real experience- which makes it fortunate that the Somali is a sturdy, healthy cat. But
despite its looks and liking for the wide open spaces, it is in no way wild. The beautiful
Somali is an affectionate, even tempered, friendly cat that prefers company, human or
otherwise. It rewards attention with lavish demonstrations of feline devotion. |
| Head: Modified wedge; medium nose |
| Eyes: Large, almond shaped, expressive; brilliant gold or green (sometimes hazel) |
| Ears: Large, wide set |
| Body: Medium-long; lithe, muscular |
| Coat: Medium-long double coat; very dense; very soft and fine |
| Tail: Long and slightly tapering; full |
| Patterns: most commonly fawn, red, ruddy, sorrel, chocolate, cream-and-blue; also tortie,
silver and tortie-silver variations of those colors |
Breed History: It looks like it just stalked out of the parched deserts or plains of Africa, but
the Somali cat belongs more properly to suburban New Jersey. There, a local breeder named
Evelyn Mague bought what she thought was the most beautiful cat she had ever seen: a year
old Abyssinian male named George. Because George had long hair, other Abyssinian breeders
didn't want him and he had already been through five owners in his short life. But Mrs
Mague decided to try to breed a longhaired version of the Aby, using George's parents as
the founding stock. She called the new breed Somali because it was close in looks to the
Abyssinian, just as the African nation of Somalia is close to the African nation of
Abyssinia (now called Ethiopia). In 1978 the breed achieved championship status and since
then has become quite popular- particularly in Australia, where it has surpassed its
Abyssinian ancestors.
The Somali has been called "a red fox in cat clothes" and been described as a
"soft orange cloud". Its fur is lush, usually colored a rich, ruddy brown, tan
or copper with darker ticking; there are also blue versions reminiscent of a silver fox.
Most Somalis have two short vertical lines above each eye, giving them
an alert,
inquisitive expression. |
| Additional Notes: |
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