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TYPE
The Abyssinian and Somali are medium sized cats of identical type. The
body is firm, lithe, muscular on fine, long legs with small, oval paws.
The tail is thick at the base, long and tapering. The head, shaped like an
equilateral triangle with softly rounded lines ending in a gently modified
wedge, is supported by an elegant neck. In profile the nose shows a gentle
curve. The large ears are broad and open at the base with good width in
between. The large almond shaped eyes are set well apart at a very slight
angle to the nose; their colour should be an intense clear amber, green or
yellow, outlined in the colour of the ticking.
COAT
Abyssinian
Short, fine, lying close to the body. The warm body colour of each
hair should be ticked with 2 or 3 bands and tipped with the dark colour of
the relevant variety as are the tips of the ears, the hocks, the spine,
the topline and tip of the tail.
COAT
Somali
Very fine and soft but dense. Of medium length over the body but a
little shorter over the shoulders; a frill, breeches, ear tufts and a well
furnished tail are desirable. The ticking may take as long as 2 years to
develop fully.
FAULTS
Any skeletal deformity. A cobby body, round or oriental
head, too deep a nose stop, small pointed ears, round eyes. Lack of
ticking, bars or rings on legs and tail, unbroken necklace, white locket,
marks or white spots on underparts, unsound undercoat colour, unclear eye
colour.
COLOURS
& PATTERNS
Ruddy, Blue, Sorrel, Fawn.
Black Silver, Blue Silver, Sorrel Silver, Fawn Silver.
The
ticking consists of 2 or 3 bands of the dark colour corresponding with the
colour variety. The eye colour can be amber, yellow, green, hazel, always
outlined with the colour of the ticking. The colours of the nose leather
and paw pads are in keeping with the coat colours.
Scale of
points:
Body 20
Head 15
Eyes 10
Coat 50
Condition 5
Total 100
TEMPERAMENT
Very intelligent, full of mischief and
charm, the Abyssinian and Somali is a very athletic cat witch loves an
active life. Demanding a lot of attention and affection but giving its
whole heart and loyalty to its owner. Rather talkative and always ready to
act up to the audience. The Somali may be a little less boisterous. |
