Abyssinian
Also called Aby.
The ticked coat is the identification: every hair carries bands of colour, so the cat looks flecked rather than patterned. It is the same mechanism as a wild rabbit's coat.
- Coat
- Short
- Build
- Long and fine-boned
- Head
- Wedge
- Weight
- 3–5 kg
- Origin
- Uncertain — developed in Britain
What it looks like
Lithe and muscular with a short close-lying ticked coat, each hair banded with several colours, giving a warm glowing appearance with no stripes or spots on the body.
The characters that confirm it
- Ticked coat — no body stripes, spots or blotches, just agouti banding on each hair.
- Faint tabby markings remain on the face, and there is a dark spine line and tail tip.
- Large ears set wide, a modified wedge head and expressive almond eyes.
- Fine boning with surprising muscle.
Temperament
Extremely active, curious and busy. Rarely still and not a lap cat.
Health
Pyruvate kinase deficiency and progressive retinal atrophy both have genetic tests. Renal amyloidosis occurs in some lines.
Confused with
A longhaired Abyssinian — the same ticked coat and build with a full plume and ruff.
Ticked tabby moggies exist and are common. The Abyssinian's fine boning, large ears and complete absence of body markings separate it.
Questions about this breed
How do you recognise a Abyssinian?
Ticked coat — no body stripes, spots or blotches, just agouti banding on each hair. Faint tabby markings remain on the face, and there is a dark spine line and tail tip.
What is a Abyssinian like to live with?
Extremely active, curious and busy. Rarely still and not a lap cat.
What health problems do Abyssinians have?
Pyruvate kinase deficiency and progressive retinal atrophy both have genetic tests. Renal amyloidosis occurs in some lines.