Somali CatsFox Cat

Common Name(s)     Somali, the "fox cat".

Background      Semi-long haired Abyssinians began appearing in the 1950's and 1960's. At first, these individuals were regarded as accidents and kept out of breeding programs. However, by 1967, Evelyn Mague, an American breeder, recognized the appeal of these cats and began a breeding program, starting with "George", the founding father of the Somalis. She named the breed after Somalia, a neighboring country with Abyssinia (present-day Ethiopia). The name had nothing to do with the breed's geographic origins (Somalis are believed to originate from Ethiopia, just like the Abyssinians), but simply reflected the closeness of the Somali and Abyssinian breeds since Somalia and Ethiopia are neighboring countries.
     Two main theories exist concerning the cause of the long-haired mutation found in the Somali. The first is that it was a spontaneous mutation. This theory is supported by the fact that Somalis and Abyssinians share most of their characteristics, save their coat length. The other theory is that the mutation originated from crossings between Persians and Abyssinians in the 1900's. This is held as the main theory by several cat breed experts. No matter its origins, the long-haired characteristic of the Somali gives it a uniquely feral appearance.
    The first Somali was shown at a cat show in 1972. It was recognized as a breed by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) in 1978. By 1982, it was approved by the FĂ©dĂ©ration Internationale FĂ©line (FIFe).

Description     The Somali is prized for its fox-like appearance, which is created by the medium length of its ticked coat, fluffy tail, ruff (thick collar), and large tufted ears. Other than the coat length and tufted ears, the Somali is very similar to the Abyssinian. It is medium-sized, slender, and long with a muscular build. The back is slightly arched, making it appear like it is readying to leap into the air. The head is a slightly rounded wedge. The markings on the face create the appearance of a mask and smile. The eyes are large and almond-shaped and the ears are large and moderately pointed. The legs are long and thin. The tail is of moderate length, is thick at the base, and slightly tapers. They weigh approximately 9 to 16 pounds and live approximately 12 years.
    The Somali has a semi-long coat with a thick undercoat. Like the Abyssinian, each strand of the Somali's coat has different bands of color, which is referred to as being "ticked". The Cat Fancier's Association (CFA), the main cat association in the United States, only recognizes the more wild looking color variations: Ruddy, Red, Blue, and Fawn. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), the main cat association in England, accepts those colors, along with Sorrel, Chocolate, Lilac, and Cream. It also accepts Tortie, Silver, and Tortie Silver varieties of those colors. The silver varieties are characterized by a white undercoat.

Care and Feeding     This breed has no special feeding requirements, though it particularly enjoys eating meat.

Housing Your Cat     Like the Abyssinian, the Somali needs a large area to run and play in. For this reason, it is not an ideal apartment cat. It needs time outside, whether on a large terrace or a yard. It will also enjoy being able run about in a large house, if available.

Maintenance     This breed has moderate grooming requirements. During much of the year it only needs a weekly brushing, though during shedding season, it needs to be brushed daily.

Social Behaviors     This is a social cat that demands attention from its owner. It gets along with other cats and strangers. It is playful and gentle, which makes it a good cat for children.

Activities     This breed craves exercise and activity. It needs time to run about outside. It also needs toys and a scratching post for indoors.

Breeding/Reproduction     Somali litters usually contain 3 or 4 small, dark kittens. Kittens develop slowly, reaching their full size and obtaining their long coat and permanent color at about 18 months.

Common Health Problems     Somalis are generally hardy. Like Abyssinians, they should be checked regularly for gum inflammation (signs of gingivitis).

Availability     The Somali is fairly rare compared to other breeds in the cat fancy world, but breeders can be located on the internet. Prices start at around $800 and can reach far higher than $1000.

Author: Ruth Bratcher