Somali Cats
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printin make a type specimen book
Physical Characteristics
Weight
Female 8-10 lb (3.5-4.5 kg), male 10-12 lb (4.5-5.5 kg)
Coat
Ruddy cats are the most common color but blue, fawn and sorrel colors are also accepted. Some registries also allow newer colors. Ruddy is also termed usual. The base color is a rich golden brown sometimes referred to as burnt sienna.
Ticking pigment is black. Ticking on the Somali hair consists of 6-12 bands (in comparison to the lesser number in Abyssinians).
The root of the hair is the lighter color. Kittens are darker, and their hair base color may be light or gray.
Markings include spectacles, mascara eyeliner and a pencil line extending in line towards the ears. Tabby markings on forehead are usually present to some extent. Underside and legs and tail should be unmarked.
Coat is medium in length, a very soft and dense double coat. It is longer on ruff, britches and on the tail. It is a very bushy tail (part of the reason Somali cats have a nickname of “fox cat”). Coat is darker along topline and white is only found around mouth and chin.
The coat doesn’t finish maturing until about 18 months of age so ticking evaluation is compromised until then.
Eyes
Eyes are hazel, green or amber colored. Almond shaped eyes are large and slanting.
Points of Conformation
Medium-large sized cat, lithe and semi-foreign build, and the back is long. “Fox-like” is a frequent descriptor.
Tail is thicker at the base and tapers slightly. Toe tufts are present and feet are compact and oval.
The head is a rounded wedge shape, large ears are placed wide set and set well back, with interior furnishings and slightly rounded tips.
Grooming
Low grooming requirements; a gentle brushing every other day should suffice. Shedding occurs spring and fall and daily grooming is best at those times.
Breed Characteristics
- Friendly
- Affectionate
- Active and playful
- Likes to be close to people
- They are soft voiced and don’t vocalize often
- Curious, with a strong personality, and very alert, some are a bit shy, though most get along well with children, strangers and other pets
- Some like to groom their owner’s hair
- Fine indoors if given climbers, perches and toys
- May shadow their favorite person, and be a lap cat
- Compared with the Abyssinian, they are calmer and less active, though a few times a day they may get strong bursts of energy
- Some like water and learn to turn on faucets
- Others open drawers and cupboards
- An indoor-outdoor lifestyle is fine, but Somali cats may not tolerate the cold as well as some other breeds of cats