Somalia Cat Breed

Origin
Very similar to the Abyssinian, only it presents long hair and a different color. It is said that it could have been the result of a cross of the domestic English European with the Abyssinian. They appeared in the XIX C., when some British breeders selected short-haired cats out of Abyssinian litter for crossings.

These crossings were until the XX c., were done only with the existing short-haired. During the decade of the sixties, the appearance of long-haired in litters gave many surprises to the breeders.

A recessive gene of long-haired gave origin to the Somali breed that in a short time took on their proper characteristics that distinguished them as a new breed.

It is also mentioned that they are originally from Chile, result of a mutation of Abyssinian. Which ever is the truth, today it is considered a pure breed.

Characteristics
The Somali have a soft and shinny coat, double coated. Brown-orange or red ticked with chocolate brown. Medium sized body, muscular and flexible with rounded thorax and back is slightly arched.

Four legs very strong with oval shaped feet. The tail has a full brush, thick at the base, and slightly tapering. The head is modified, slightly rounded wedge without flat planes. Eyes are almond shaped, large, brilliant, and expressive, gold or green color. Large ears, moderately pointed, broad, and cupped at the base. The inner ear shall have horizontal tufts that reach nearly to the other side of the ear.