The Abyssinian is a highly intelligent cat, capable of showing a degree of obedience that is rare in cats. It is responsive to affection and likes to be part of the family. It can be easily trained to do tricks with its paws and to retrieve. An Abyssinian looks like a little wild cat, and this appearance, coupled with its responsive personality, makes the cat particularly appealing to men. Men who think they do not like cats often succumb to the charm of an Abyssinian. Because of its active nature, the Abyssinian prefers an outdoor life and dislikes being confined to a small area or caged in a cattery. It is best not to have an Abyssinian unless you live in the country or have a large garden. Generally strong and healthy, feline leukemia has taken its toll of the breed in the past, and it is best to obtain a leukemia free kitten. There is currently no cure for this virus disease.
Grooming
An Abyssinian is very easy to groom. It is advisable to brush daily to remove dead hairs, though once or twice a week will suffice. A shorthaired soft bristle brush or rubber brush is ideal and a very fine toothed comb with a handle will remove loose hairs and double as a flea comb if necessary. Daily hand stroking will gloss the coat, and be loved by the cat. The teeth and ears should also be checked regularly.
Origin and history
The early Abyssinian like cats were known as hare or rabbit cats because of the similarity of their ticked coats, and they were also shown as Russian and Spanish cats at the early shows in the United Kingdom. Rabbit fur, however, has only a single band of colour (ticking) on each hair, whereas a good Abyssinian will have two or three bands of darker colour on each hair (double or treble ticking), with the pale colour next to the skin. Because of it"s likeness to pictures of Ancient Egyptian cats, it has been claimed that the Abyssinian originates from the sacred cats of Egypt, but it is much more likely that breeders, impressed by this likeness, decided to perpetuate these features by judicious breeding. The Romans are known to have taken cats from Egypt and to have brought them to England, so the genes necessary to produce the 'Egyptian look' could have been introduced into Britain in this fashion. They would then be preserved within the British domestic cat population until someone wished to isolate them again by careful and selective breeding. All British Abyssinians are descended from other British cats, and all American Abyssinians can trace their origins to British imports after 1907.
Breeding
Abyssinians have never been numerous and usually have only three or four kittens to a litter, mostly males. Selective breeding and outcrossing to other breeds to obtain new colours will undoubtedly bring stamina to the breed. The queens are usually attentive mothers, interested in their offspring.
Kittens
Abyssinian kittens usually mature early and are fearless and playful. They arch their backs and purr loudly, demanding attention. It may take 18 months before the coats develop their full adult beauty.
Grooming
An Abyssinian is very easy to groom. It is advisable to brush daily to remove dead hairs, though once or twice a week will suffice. A shorthaired soft bristle brush or rubber brush is ideal and a very fine toothed comb with a handle will remove loose hairs and double as a flea comb if necessary. Daily hand stroking will gloss the coat, and be loved by the cat. The teeth and ears should also be checked regularly.
Origin and history
The early Abyssinian like cats were known as hare or rabbit cats because of the similarity of their ticked coats, and they were also shown as Russian and Spanish cats at the early shows in the United Kingdom. Rabbit fur, however, has only a single band of colour (ticking) on each hair, whereas a good Abyssinian will have two or three bands of darker colour on each hair (double or treble ticking), with the pale colour next to the skin. Because of it"s likeness to pictures of Ancient Egyptian cats, it has been claimed that the Abyssinian originates from the sacred cats of Egypt, but it is much more likely that breeders, impressed by this likeness, decided to perpetuate these features by judicious breeding. The Romans are known to have taken cats from Egypt and to have brought them to England, so the genes necessary to produce the 'Egyptian look' could have been introduced into Britain in this fashion. They would then be preserved within the British domestic cat population until someone wished to isolate them again by careful and selective breeding. All British Abyssinians are descended from other British cats, and all American Abyssinians can trace their origins to British imports after 1907.
Breeding
Abyssinians have never been numerous and usually have only three or four kittens to a litter, mostly males. Selective breeding and outcrossing to other breeds to obtain new colours will undoubtedly bring stamina to the breed. The queens are usually attentive mothers, interested in their offspring.
Kittens
Abyssinian kittens usually mature early and are fearless and playful. They arch their backs and purr loudly, demanding attention. It may take 18 months before the coats develop their full adult beauty.
Abyssinians from Merindalee
Other relevant pages - Abyssinian Cat |
| Abyssinian Breeders |
| We are looking for products relating to the category Abyssinian Kittens and Cats for Sale to list in our directory. If you have such a product, please click here and add your product. |
<< Previous Cat Breeds | Back to Cat Breeds | Next >> American Bobtail Cat
