The Ceylon Cat is a domestic breed, developed by the Cat Club of Sri Lanka (former Ceylon). In 1980s its representatives were brought to Italy, where in 1984 at the Como Cat Show, they were introduced to the western public and were an immediate success. After 4 years of planned breeding (humans sincerely believed they improved the breed!), in May 1988, the Ceylon Cat was registered as a new form of pedigree cat. Ceylon cat has the typical ticked coat of the modern Abyssinian, but with the addition of the barred leg-markings common in that breed at the turn of the century. It is very similar to the so-called Wild Abyssinian developed in the 1980s from the local cats discovered in Singapore.

Other Names

Gatto de Ceylon, Sri Lankan Cat

Native Country

Southeast Asia

Breed Description

Head: Medium in size and dimensions. Slightly rounded skull and rather flat forehead. Gently rounded cheeks. Moderately short nose with slight nose break. Chin not strong.
Eyes: Rather large and set at a slight angle. Upper line is almond-shaped and lower line is rounded. Dark rims.
Color: Yellow-green
Body: Medium size, compact and muscular. Well rounded chest. Fine boning.
Paw: Medium in length. Forelegs are shorter than hind legs. Well muscled. Round paws.
Tail: Moderately short, broad at the base and tapering to a rounded tip.
Coat: Short, fine, and silky. Sparse undercoat.
Fault: Ears too wide set. Rounded eyes. Absence of tabby markings. White spots.

History

A natural breed originating in Sri Lanka In 1984, Dr. Paolo Pellegatta brought the first six "Gatto di Ceylon" specimens into Italy. The cats came from Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), an island located southeast of India. A breeding and selection program is currently underway to fix breed type. The Ceylon has grown rapidly in popularity in Italy. A Friends of the Gatto di Ceylon Club was formed in 1988.

Behavior

Simple care.