Ratings

Breed Introduction

The Abyssinian, also known as Bunny Cat, Ethiopian Cat, and Aby, is distributed worldwide. People often judge a cat’s origin by its name, but the Abyssinian’s origin seems somewhat distant from Abyssinia. Abyssinia is the old name for Ethiopia, but many believe that the Abyssinian cat originated from ancient Egypt. Genetic comparisons indicate that the Abyssinian cat originated along the Indian Ocean coast, possibly from wild cats purchased by colonizers, developing in the region of Egypt.

According to legend, Ramses II requested a group of cats from the king of Abyssinia, which he brought to Egypt, becoming the origin of the modern Abyssinian cat. Around 1860, an ancient Egyptian cat was brought back to England by a British officer from Abyssinia (now Ethiopia). After careful breeding by many cat enthusiasts, it quickly spread. However, a breed standard for this type of cat was not established until 1929, leading to the formation of the Abyssinian Cat Lovers Club.

Due to World War II and the outbreak of feline leukemia in the 1960s and 1970s, this cat nearly became extinct in the UK. It was later reintroduced from abroad and carefully bred to form the modern Abyssinian cat. The improved Abyssinian cat has a long body, long and slender legs, a long and pointed tail, a slightly pointed head, large round eyes that can be golden yellow, green, or light brown, and large, upright ears with hair inside.

Its coat is short and beautifully colored, with the most common color being tawny, interspersed with black hairs. The fur is dense, with a well-developed undercoat that is elastic. This cat prefers to live alone, is good at climbing trees, has a light build, and a gentle temperament, making it an ideal companion. Notably, the Abyssinian cat’s lion-like appearance makes it even more adorable, and it is very intelligent, with a soft and pleasant voice. You can confidently raise this cat whether you live in an apartment or a family building.

The Abyssinian cat, also known as the Ethiopian cat, is praised for its graceful gait and is referred to as the ballet cat. Its coat resembles that of a wild rabbit, leading the British to also call it Bunny Cat or Ball Cat. The Abyssinian cat has a dignified, noble, and majestic appearance, with a naturally regal demeanor, enhanced by its stunning coat of red and yellow, varying in depth and hue, which captivates many cat lovers.

The Abyssinian is considered the aristocrat among short-haired cats and is one of the most popular short-haired cats in the world, especially favored by cat lovers in North America. However, the breeding rate of Abyssinians is not very high, making them quite rare and precious.