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Cat Breeds

CFA Pedigreed Breed: Abyssinian

  • An Ancient Breed
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    An Ancient Breed

    Although the Abyssinian is one of the oldest known breeds, there continues to be speculation and controversy concerning its history.
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    Egyptian Icon

    Abyssinians resemble the paintings and sculptures of ancient Egyptian cats, which portray an elegant feline with a muscular body, beautiful arched neck, large ears, and almond-shaped eyes.
  • Photo: Chanan Photography/Richard Katris
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    A Feral Mein

    Abys today still retain the jungle look of "felis lybica," the African wildcat ancestor of all domestic cats.
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    How They Got Their Name

    The source of the name is not because Ethiopia, formerly Abyssinia, is thought to be the original home of these cats, but because the first "Abyssinians" exhibited in shows in England were reported to have been imported from that country.
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    Southeast Asian Origins

    Recent studies by geneticists show that the most convincing origin of the Abyssinian breed is the coast of the Indian Ocean and parts of Southeast Asia.
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    Arrival in America

    The first Abyssinians to be imported to North America from England arrived in the early 1900s, but it was not until the late 1930s that several top-quality Abys were exported from Britain to form the foundation of today's American breeding programs.
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    Loyal Companion

    There is probably no breed anywhere more loyal than the Aby. Once you have acquired an Aby as a companion, you will never be able to complain that no one understands you.
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    Good at Training Humans

    Abys are very good at training people to do just what they want them to do.
  • An Ancient Breed
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