The Abyssinian Cat Breed
The Origin of a Natural Cat Breed
The Abyssinian cat breed, or 'Aby', as it is fondly called, is one of the most well known and much loved shorthaired, foreign-type cat breeds.
Ruddy Abyssinian cat owned by Landie Copperthwaite and bred by Marion Waldanja © photo Theresa Fouche
the origin of the abyssinian
The Abyssinian cat history is anyone's guess!
There is much speculation and various schools of thought as to the origin of this magnificent breed. There is insufficient documented proof to confirm their precise heritage.
The 'African Connection' is plausible, but there are many other commonly held beliefs which we explore here.
the african connection
The Abyssinian cat may have originated in Ethopia (previously known as Abyssinia).
It is believed that the King of Abyssinia gave a litter of kittens to Ramses II of Egypt as Ramses was so enamored with this feline.
Abyssinian cats resemble cats seen on murals and statuettes found in Ancient Egypt.
It may be that Abyssinian cats descended from the sacred cats found in Ancient Egypt.
the asian theory
Another school of thought is based on genetic studies and suggests that the Abyssinian cat originated in Southern Asia (Sri Lanka, India) or Singapore.
The cat then found its way to Africa and finally Britain via the trade routes of that time.
It is documented that Sir Robert Napier brought a cat, with a
ticked coat, (resembling the Abyssinian) back to Britain, from Abyssinia,
after the war in 1868.
a british creation
Finally, some believe that the Abyssinian was in fact 'developed' or 'created' in Britain by crossing various ticked-coated cats with British cats.
What we do know is that a devastating outbreak of feline leukemia and two World Wars almost spelt the end of this and many other domestic cat breeds.
Whether
the Abyssinian resembles murals and statues of cats in Egypt, or the
mummified stuffed remains of cats found in India - it is acknowledged as
a long established, natural cat breed, with many of the physical
features of its wild ancestors.
Sp Pr Sherada Picatso, ruddy color, owned by Heila Brophy and bred by Gill Burman Abyssinian cat picture © Theresa Fouche
abyssinian cat facts
The Abyssinian cat breed profile that follows will provide you with extensive cat facts about the Aby - information related to their features and characteristics, cat health concerns, life expectancy, diet and the ideal home for this energetic cat.
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