|
|
|
The exact origin of the Abyssinian is not recorded and therefore cannot be known for certain. However, the popular belief is that the Abyssinian is a descendant to the African Wild Cat. This belief is due to the Abyssinian’s remarkably similar appearance to the African Wild Cats. The African Wild Cats were also known to be in the same region where the Aby first appeared. No matter how they came about, once this breed was domesticated it became indispensable.
African Wild Cats Pictured In Natural Habitat. An Abyssinian named Zula was transported from Abyssinian (now Ethiopia) to the UK at the end of the Abyssinian War in 1868. Weather Zula was a native to the area is a mystery. Because there is no written evidence linking Zula with today's breed, some maintain the idea that the original lines died out. They claim the Abyssinian was recreated by English breeders who crossed silver and brown tabbies with British ticked "bunny" cats, but Abyssinians were certainly exhibited at the Crystal Palace in 1871, so that this breed may claim to be one of the original pedigree cats. Undeniably the breed was redefined by early British breeders. Others believe that Abyssinians are a naturally occurring breed and were imported into England in the 1800's. One thing is certain and that is that two Abyssinians were imported into USA from England in the early 1900s and were first exhibited in 1909, the breeding of abyssinians started in 1930s and from that day took off as the breed grew in popularity to today's spot at the top of the list of most popular breeds.
Some Of The First Pictures Of Abyssinians The Abyssinian is one of the most captivating breeders available to today's cat fanciers. With its sleek coat, expressive eyes, and lithe body. The body type of the cat should strike a medium between the extremes of the cobby and the svelte lengthy type. In other words, it should be medium long, lithe and graceful, but showing well-developed muscular strength without coarseness. Proportion and general balance are more desirable than mere size. The cat should appear to be long on its legs and standing on tiptoes; the typical Abyssinian usually likes to arch its back when it stands alertly. Put together, this striking cat seems to have just walked out of the forest, with a look reminiscent of its wild origins so many years ago, tempered with the knowledge that the Ancient Egyptians showed them such reverence.
CAV PN Magara Tawny Lucifer (Winner Of CAV Grp3 Kitten and Reserve Neuter Of The Year 2006) The singular defining feature of the Abyssinian breed is its richly coloured, ticked tabby coat free of markings on its legs, tail, and neck but exhibiting dramatic facial markings. Each hair is “ticked” with three to four bands of colour, dark at the tip, lighter at the roots, alternating dark and light. In the ideal Abyssinian the colour at the root is bright and matches the colour on its undersides and the insides of its legs. Abyssinian's come in nine colours as far as have discovered Tawny/Ruddy being the most common followed by Cinnamon, Blue and fawn then the extremely rare colours of Chocolate, lilac, torbie and cream.. These colours all come in silver ie blue silver. There is also a very rare and unusual colour that fascinated me called red but its not red as in cinnamon its a different genetic make up as i learn more about it I will update this web page for now that's all I know.
Cinnamon, Tawny, Blue & Lastly Fawn For the most part Abyssinians are fairly low maintenance cats. They do enjoy being hand rubbed, and it is not a bad idea to give these cats a bath once a year during shedding season. Washing with any good pet shampoo, a quick toweling off, and allowing them to drip dry is all that is needed. Bathing of Abyssinians should be started when they are young and should always be preceded by a good claw clipping.
A Soaking Wet Aby (In Mid Shake) For people who want their piece of the wild kingdom and who want an active, independent, loving cat, this very ancient breed may be just right. These mischievous, animated short hair cats, with their iridescent, sparkling, colourful coats, can provide years of pleasure to any household. It is not any mystery to see why people who have once had an Aby often will not have anything else as a pet. Thus, this breed, which was one of the most popular breeds of cat during the entire 20th century, is continuing in popularity, unchecked, into the new millennium.
Magara Abyssinian If you have any questions about the Abyssinian please feel free to contact me using the Contact Us button below, we would love to hear from you!
Images are the property of their respective photographers.
|
g
v
