This energetic Somali is a sight to behold, with its luxurious coat and fox-like appearance!
The Somali cat not only has a great coat, but is also an excellent family cat. It is even tempered, social, and playful, which makes it ideal for children. Though it has a beautiful coat, this breed only requires moderate grooming.
Like the Abyssinian, the Somali is extroverted, athletic, very active, affectionate, and playful. It is a good mouser and enjoys running about outside. Somalis love being around people, but can be rather insistent when seeking attention.
Some sources state that the Somali is hardly distinguishable in personality from the Abyssinian, while others say it is calmer and less demanding. This is an intelligent breed that often opens cupboards, and can even learn to turn on faucets. The Somali is sensitive to the cold, and some even appear to be afraid of the cold. This breed has a soft voice and is usually quiet. Since the coat is of medium length, it only requires weekly grooming most of the year and daily grooming during shedding season.
The Somali Cat found in the pet industry today was developed in America under a breeding program started by Evelyn Mague in 1967. It was recognized as a breed by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) in 1978, and by 1982 it was approved by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe). It is currently available in America, Europe, and Australia.
Common Name(s)
Somali, the "fox cat".
Background
Semi-long haired Abyssinians began appearing in the 1950's and 1960's. At first, these individuals were regarded as accidents and kept out of breeding programs. However, by 1967, Evelyn Mague, an American breeder, recognized the appeal of these cats and began a breeding program, starting with "George", the founding father of the Somalis. She named the breed after Somalia, a neighboring country with Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia). The name had nothing to do with the breed's geographic origins (Somalis are believed to originate from Ethiopia, just like the Abyssinians), but simply reflected the closeness of the Somali and Abyssinian breeds since Somalia and Ethiopia are neighboring countries.
Two main theories exist concerning the cause of the long-haired mutation found in the Somali. The first is that it was a spontaneous mutation. This theory is supported by the fact that Somalis and Abyssinians share most of their characteristics, save their coat length. The other theory is that the mutation originated from crossings between Persians and Abyssinians in the 1900's. This is held as the main theory by several cat breed experts. No matter its origins, the long-haired characteristic of the Somali gives it a uniquely feral appearance.
The first Somali was shown at a cat show in 1972. It was recognized as a breed by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) in 1978. By 1982, it was approved by the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe).
Description
The Somali is prized for its fox-like appearance, which is created by the medium length of its ticked coat, fluffy tail, ruff (thick collar), and large tufted ears. Other than the coat length and tufted ears, the Somali is very similar to the Abyssinian. It is medium-sized, slender, and long with a muscular build. The back is slightly arched, making it appear like it is readying to leap into the air. The head is a slightly rounded wedge. The markings on the face create the appearance of a mask and smile. The eyes are large and almond-shaped and the ears are large and moderately pointed. The legs are long and thin. The tail is of moderate length, is thick at the base, and slightly tapers. They weigh approximately 9 to 16 pounds and live approximately 12 years.
The Somali has a semi-long coat with a thick undercoat. Like the Abyssinian, each strand of the Somali's coat has different bands of color, which is referred to as being "ticked". The Cat Fancier's Association (CFA), the main cat association in the United States, only recognizes the more wild looking color variations: Ruddy, Red, Blue, and Fawn. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), the main cat association in England, accepts those colors, along with Sorrel, Chocolate, Lilac, and Cream. It also accepts Tortie, Silver, and Tortie Silver varieties of those colors. The silver varieties are characterized by a white undercoat.
Care and Feeding
This breed has no special feeding requirements, though it particularly enjoys eating meat.
Housing Your Cat
Like the Abyssinian, the Somali needs a large area to run and play in. For this reason, it is not an ideal apartment cat. It needs time outside, whether on a large terrace or a yard. It will also enjoy being able run about in a large house, if available.
Maintenance
This breed has moderate grooming requirements. During much of the year it only needs a weekly brushing, though during shedding season, it needs to be brushed daily.
Social Behaviors
This is a social cat that demands attention from its owner. It gets along with other cats and strangers. It is playful and gentle, which makes it a good cat for children.
Activities
This breed craves exercise and activity. It needs time to run about outside. It also needs toys and a scratching post for indoors.
Breeding/Reproduction
Somali litters usually contain 3 or 4 small, dark kittens. Kittens develop slowly, reaching their full size and obtaining their long coat and permanent color at about 18 months.
Common Health Problems
Somalis are generally hardy. Like Abyssinians, they should be checked regularly for gum inflammation (signs of gingivitis).
Availability
The Somali is fairly rare compared to other breeds in the cat fancy world, but breeders can be located on the internet. Prices start at around $800 and can reach far higher than $1000.
Author: Ruth Bratcher
|
