The Somali Cat
A Foxy Striking Beauty

History

Today the Somali cat is a popular cat breed, adored by cat breeders and their owners around the globe. But this cat had a shaky start!

The Somali is in fact a Longhaired Abyssinian. How this longhair gene found its way into the Aby gene-pool is unclear, but what we do know is that the longhaired offspring were considered the 'runt' of the litter.

Credit goes to the US cat breeder, Evelyn Mague, who recognized their beauty, named the breed and started a breeding program in earnest in the late 60's. Today the Somali cat breed is recognized by all the major cat breed associations.

Characteristics

Somali cats obviously have similar characteristics to their 'parent breed', the Abyssinian cat. It is a medium to large cat, with a muscular, flexible body, long thin graceful legs and is always well proportioned. Their weight varies between 2.7 kg - 5.5 kg (6 - 12 lbs), the females being lighter than the males. The Somali's tail is probably its most distinguishing feature, being broad at the base and tapering at the end with a full brush of long fox-like hair.

Their heads are triangular or a rounded wedge-shape. The muzzle is not pointed or fox-like and their chins are well developed. Ears are set fairly wide apart, large, slightly pointed and often have Lynx tips. An interesting marking seen on the Somali's face are the two vertical black stripes that form an 'M' on the forehead.

Their eyes are large, bright, expressive and almond-shaped. The skin on the inner lids of the eyes are black, resulting in an eye-liner look with lighter fur encircling the eye that further accentuates those beautiful amber, green or gold-colored eyes.

The Somali cat's double coat is fine, but dense and the texture is soft to the touch. The coat is semi-long on the belly, chest, flanks and back and long on the ruff, britches and tail. On the shoulders the fur is slightly shorter.

They have ticked fur, a term that describes the pattern where each hair shaft has 2 -3 bands of alternating light and dark colors. What makes this wild, ticked pattern unusual is that ticked coats are not common in longhaired cat breeds.

The Somali cat breed comes in over 20 colors, but some associations only accept 4 colors.

Ruddy

This color is also called 'Usual' or 'Tawny' and refers to a Golden Brown (ruddy brown; burnt sienna) ground color and ticked with Black or Dark Brown.

Sorrel

This color is also referred to as a Rich Red (cinnamon or red copper) ground color with Chocolate-Brown ticking.

Blue

The ground color is a Warm Beige color, ticked with shades of a Deeper Blue-Gray (slate-blue).

Fawn

A Rose-Beige (light brown) ground color, ticked with a Deeper Fawn-color (i.e. light brown; cocoa brown)

Other recognized colors:

Chocolate - Copper-Brown ground color; ticked Dark Chocolate

Lilac - Dove-Gray ground color; ticked Deeper Gray

Red - Apricot-Orange colored ground color; ticked Red

Cream - Cream ground color; ticked Deeper Cream

Silver - Silvery ground color, ticked Sorrel, Blue or Fawn

Tortoiseshells

It takes about 18 months before mature ticking is seen on the Somali.

Personality and Temperament

Somali cat tends to be less boisterous and demanding than the Abyssinian cat. They are even-tempered, alert, people-orientated cats. Sociable towards strangers and other animals. They are quiet cats with soft voices which they seldom use.

Gentle and affectionate, yet lively, active and playful. They need a fair amount of space as they tend to have frequent bursts of energy where they run sideways, their tails and backs arched like monkeys. The find the game of fetch most appealing and like their parent breed, prefer it if you do the fetching. Their cat toys amuse them for hours. Another idiosyncrasy of this beauty is their 'hairdressing' syndrome, where they enjoy sitting on your shoulder and licking or flicking your hair!

Somali are highly intelligent and mischievous and have been known to open cupboard doors and faucets.

It is the perfect cat for a household with children and other pets of equal energy, but generally not suited to the elderly as they do tend to get under your feet. Whilst apartment living is not ideal, they will adapt provided there is ample room for them to run and exercise. They enjoy hunting and an enclosed, escape-proof yard would probably be more suitable for this cat breed.

If you're looking for brains and personality.......then the Somali cat breed is it!

Cat Grooming

Even though the Somali Cat is a semi- to longhaired cat, it requires limited grooming. Weekly brushing is recommended to avoid matting and for keeping the fur in good condition. They shed very little excess hair.

Visit our comprehensive pages on cat grooming, cat care and general hygiene for your Somali cat.

Somali Cats - fast facts

Return to Types of Cats

Return from Somali Cats to Cat Breeds Home Page

Cat Photos courtesy of:

© Photographer Theresa Fouche Karnaki Half Asleep in Frog Pyjamas, Ruddy Somali, Owner/Breeder: Karen Pepler

© Photographer Theresa Fouche; Karen Pepler's Ruddy Somali Karnaki Ragtime

© Photographer Theresa Fouche; Ruddy Somali Kitten

© Jackie Hoare of Thomas'O Mali Cattery: Hillstblues Mafusa of Thomasomali CFA Grand Champion; TICA Supreme Grand Champ; Ruddy Somali kitten running