Somali
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The
Somalis originated from the Abyssinian breed. Therefore,
they are also called as "longhaired Abyssinians".
The Somali is an agile, well muscled cat which has
the look of a cat about to spring. The slightly arched
back of the Somali gives it a distinctively alert
appearance.They love running, playing with toys and
every now and then - even jumping in the air! Intelligent,
alert and active the healthy Somali looks magnificent.
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With
a very soft medium length hair coat, either ruddy with a
ground colour of burnt-sienna ticked with various shades
of dark brown or black, sorrel-red ticked with chocolate
brown, blue - beige ticked with slate blue or fawn-rose
beige ticked with light cocoa-brown, the breed is attractive.
It takes 18 months or longer before the young cat gets the
ticking that confirms with the breed standard.
A well
proportioned body, bushy tail, almond shaped gold or green
eyes, large, alert ears and a round chin mark this breed.
The
eyes look more expressive because of the the dark eyelid
skin encircled by a light coloured area. A breed standard
is to have a dark vertical pencil stroke line continuing
from the upper lid towards the ear.
Grey or sandy tone to coat color; mottling or speckling
on unticked areas, necklaces, leg bars, tabby stripes, or
bars on body and black roots on body are some major disqualifications.
Besides this, a white locket or white anywhere except for
the upper throat, chin and nostril area is also taken as
a negative point.