The Somali is a breathtaking cat to behold. It bears an uncanny resemblance to a little fox, with its large ears, masked face, full ruff and bushy tail. The Somali’s wild, feral look is what immediately draws fascinated attention. With a long, flowing coat, the Somali is a well-proportioned, medium to large cat with firm muscular development. Like its Abyssinian cousin, the Somali features a beautiful ticked coat in blue, fawn, red or ruddy colors. Lithe and active, the Somali shows an alert, lively interest in all surroundings. Its even disposition makes it an ideal companion.

Other Names

Longhaired Abyssinian

Native Country

United States, Canada

Breed Description

Head: Viewed from the front, shaped like a triangle with rounded contours. Slightly domed forehead. In profile, the head has a gentle curve. Muzzle neither small nor pointed. A whisker pinch is a fault. Nose of medium length, without stop. Firm, well-developed chin.
Eyes: Large, almond-shaped, well-spaced, with dark markings below the eyes. Above each eye is a short vertical marking (remnants of the tabby “M”). Color: amber, green, gold.
Neck: Carried gracefully.
Body: Medium in size and length, semi-foreign type, graceful. Slightly arched back. Powerful muscles.
Paw: Long and thin, well-muscled. Compact, oval paws. The Somali appears to stand on tiptoe.
Tail: Long, carried high, and well-furnished like that of a fox.
Coat: Semilong, dense, very fine, and soft hair. Short on the face, front of the legs, and shoulders; semilong on the back, flanks, chest, and belly. It is long on the throat (ruff), behind the thighs (britches), and tail (plume). The undercoat is not long as in the Persian. Color: Ticked coat, that is, the presence on each hair of alternating bands of dark and light coloration. At least two or three bands, up to eight banks. The tip of the hair must have a dark band. Let us mention several varieties: - ruddy (“usual” in Great Britain): black bands and apricot bands - blue: slate blue bands and cream bands - red (or sorrel): chocolate bands and apricot bands - fawn beige: dark cream bands and dull beige bands - black silver: black bands and white bands - sorrel silver: chocolate bands and white bands - blue silver: blue bands and white bands The C.F.A. accepts the ruddy, red, blue, and fawn. A greater number of colors is accepted in Europe.

History

Where the longhaired gene came into the Abyssinian population is a a subject of speculation, but before the Somali breed began to be advanced in the late 1960s, longhaired kittens popped up in Abyssinian litters. These longhaired kittens, which couldn't be shown or used in a breeding program, were quietly neutered and given away or sold as pets. In the late 1960s in the United States, people taken with these longhaired "mistakes" began breeding these cats purposely and advancing that the breed become accepted for championship status. This was not the first advancement of this breed; a Somali was shown in Australia as early as 1965. By the late 1970s, the Somali was accepted by all North American cat associations for championship status. It has had slower acceptance in Europe; the GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy), Great Britain's cat association, did not fully recognize the Somali for championship status until 1991.

Behavior

Somalis are intelligent cats, and while active, they have soft voices and are usually quiet. They communicate with human family members through soft mews and possess a charming trill. They are extroverts and very social. Possessed with a zest for life, they love to play, solicit nuzzles and pats, and thrive on human companionship. Somalis have bursts of energy several times a day, at which time they will take off through the house, jumping into the air. They toss balls and toys in the air, fetch them back and begin the game anew. Tail and back arched, the Somali will run sideways like a monkey, and even hold objects and food the way a monkey does. Adept at opening cupboards and drawers, Somalis sometimes hide inside their secret areas. Many Somalis can manipulate faucets, and they love to play with water.