Breed
of shorthaired cat, one of the oldest breeds of domesticated cats. The exact
origin of the Abyssinian is unknown, although it is said to be descended from
the sacred cat of Egypt. Another theory is that English soldiers returning
from Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia) in the 1800s brought the Abyssinian with
them.
The Abyssinian is a lithe,
graceful cat with a short, ticked coat somewhat similar to the coat of a wild
rabbit. It comes in several different colours; the most common is ruddy—a
warm brown with a rich apricot belly and undercoat.
The Abyssinian is a
gentle, affectionate cat with boundless energy, and is reputed to form a
strong bond with its favourite person. The Abyssinian also comes in a
semi-longhaired variety called the Somali.
