♥ Cat Breed: Abyssinian ♥

The Abyssinian cat is commonly believed to date back to the 1860s, originating in Ethiopia; yet some people claim that the breed can be traced back to the ancient cats of Abyssinia, now called Egypt.

They are known for their sharp intelligence, litheness and a refined, pleasant demeanor, often becoming very attached to their owners. A curious and adventurous nature is the norm with medium length bodies and short, fine coats. They have round, almond-shaped eyes, green, hazel or amber in color, and slender legs of moderate length. Size-wise they tend to weigh between 4-7.5kg (9-16lb).

The Abyssinian has a "ticked" coat, meaning that each hair, light in color, has several dark bands which are evenly spaced. This coloring results in an ideal camouflage for the dry desert lands of North Africa.

These days, the Abyssinian comes in a range of different colors. Anything from red through fawn, lilac, cinnamon, cream and chocolate, amongst others.

They are a popular cat breed and are generally healthy except for occasional blindness, especially an inherited form called retinal atrophy. Although making good companions they can be suspicious of strangers.

Abys are hardy and adaptable as pets and are a popular breed for showing; a good choice for any prospective cat owner.