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Abyssinian Cat.
The Abyssinian cat is a natural breed
of domesticated cat
believed to originate from one Egyptian female kitten called Zula that was taken from a port in Alexandria, Egypt, by a
British soldier and brought to England
where the breed was developed by being breed with an English tabby.
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Blue
Abyssinian Cat |
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It is believed all Abyssinians (nicknamed "Abbys") in Europe, America,
and Australia
are descended from Zula, but there has been at least one and possibly as many
as three Abyssinians introduced from Libya
(or less likely Egypt) into the existing Abyssinian gene pool in the USA.
The Abyssinian cat has become one of the most popular shorthair breed of cats in
the USA.
There are said to be still wild Abyssinians in some parts of North
Africa.
The Abyssinian cat has a distinctly ticked, tawny coat. The tail and paws may
show tabby markings, but the body must not.
It has large almond-shaped green
or gold eyes with a fine dark line around them, and large ears.
The coat is
generally a warm golden colour, but "Abbys" can also be blue, fawn
or cream,
cinnamon and red. There is also a Silver Abyssinian variant whose coat shows
shades of white, cream and grey.
Abyssinian cats are very active, friendly, curious and playful, but are usually
not "lap cats"; they are too preoccupied exploring and playing; they
are "busy" cats, and can get bored and depressed without daily
activity and attention.
Having said that however, although some
Abyssinian cats tend to be reserved and somewhat shy with strangers, they can,
like most cats, prove exceptionally loving toward their owners.
Many Abyssinian cats enjoy heights, and will explore their
surroundings in three dimensions, from the floor to their owner's shoulders to
the top of the highest furniture.
They are highly intelligent, but probably
the most independent of any domestic breed. There is a long-haired version of
the Abyssinian cat, called the Somali.
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