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Somali
Cat
The Somali is a long-haired breed of cat.
The Somali cat breed appeared
spontaneously in the 1950s from Abyssinian
breeding programs when a number of Abyssinian kittens were born with
bottle-brush tails and long fluffy coats.
Somali cats and Abyssinian cats share the
same personality (active, intelligent, playful, curious) and appearance.
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Red
or Sorrel Somali Cat
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The
only difference between them is the fur length and therefore the amount of
grooming required.
Unlike most long-haired cats, Somali cats shed very little
excess hair.
The Somali cats coat is generally shed en masse, or
"blown", once or twice a year, rather than constantly shedding like
a Persian
or other long-haired cat.
Somali cats have a striking, bushy tail, which, combined with their ruddy coat,
has earned them the nickname of "fox cats" in some circles.
Their
coats are ticked, which is a variation on tabby
markings, and some Somali cats may show full tabby stripes on portions of their
bodies, but this is seen as a flaw, and tabby Somali cats are only sold as
neutered pets.
The only tabby marking on a show Somali cat is the traditional
tabby 'M' on the middle of the forehead.
Like Abyssinians, they have a dark
rim around their eyes that makes them look like they are wearing kohl, and
they have a small amount of white on their muzzles and chins/throats.
White
elsewhere on their bodies disqualifies them from show-status.
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