yet its origins remain shrouded in mystery. Historical records suggest that an Abyssinian cat was brought to Britain in the late 19th century during the Abyssinian War (1867-1868). It is speculated that this cat may have been among the treasures taken by British troops as they departed from Ethiopia. Reports from a cat show at the Crystal Palace in London on December 16, 1871, mention an Abyssinian cat winning third prize. Described as having a forlorn appearance and longing for its past freedom, this cat was said to have been captured during the Abyssinian war.
Their Points and Classification, which featured a color lithograph labeled Abissinian [sic] of a cat named ZULA, owned by Mrs. Captain Barrett Lennard and brought from Abissinia after the War. This cat is likely the same Abyssinian cat showcased at the Crystal Palace Show in 1871. The historical connection between Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) and the Abyssinian breed suggests that Ethiopia could be the birthplace of this unique feline lineage. Considering this link, it’s plausible to think that Abyssinians share similarities with ancient Egyptian cats depicted in art and sculptures. The geographic proximity of Egypt and Ethiopia, along with their shared history of nomadic tribes, supports the theory that cats revered in ancient Egypt may have migrated south to Ethiopia before eventually making their way to England post-Abyssinian War, laying the foundation for the modern Abyssinian breed.
Harrison Weir noted that several Abyssinian cats were imported from Abyssinia,
believed to be the origin of the Egyptian cat worshipped centuries ago. Mrs. Helen Winsor’s account supports this, mentioning Abyssinians brought to England after the war by Sir Joshua Dunze’s son. These cats, including a red kitten, suggest the presence of the red gene in Abyssinians since ancient times. Despite limited attention to cats in the 1880s, there may have been additional unregistered imports maintaining pure Abyssinian breeding. While some find this theory credible, others dismiss it as nonsense.
Scathard also mentions that Mr. Sydney Denham, former chairman of the Abyssinian Cat Club, contacted the Ethiopian Embassy, who denied any knowledge of cats in Ethiopia resembling Abyssinians. The appointment of Mr. Derek Trail as Honorary Research Secretary by the Abyssinian Cat Club (UK) confirmed a previous theory that British breeders played a key role in developing the Abyssinian breed. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support Mrs. Winsor’s claim about importing Abyssinian cats from Abyssinia and continuing their breeding to establish the breed.
The true origins of the Abyssinian breed remain unknown, and despite various theories and speculations, it is unlikely that we will ever have definitive documentation on its beginnings. Nevertheless, modern-day Abyssinians are a testament to the dedication of early British breeders like Mr. Sam Woodiwiss and Mrs. Constance Carew Cox, who deserve credit for shaping and advancing the breed’s development.
In 1929, Mr. H.C. Brooke described the Abyssinian as a small and elegantly built cat with slender limbs, an elegant head, large ears, and lustrous eyes – a description that still holds true for today’s show cats worldwide. It is reassuring to see that the essence of the breed has remained consistent for over 80 years.
In her research, veterinarian Joan O. Joshua noted that Abyssinian and Burmese cats exhibit a strong bond with their owners, leading to a higher level of dependency on human interaction compared to other breeds that simply tolerate human presence for comfort. Abyssinians are known for their playful nature and inquisitive intelligence, earning them the nickname Clowns of the Cat Kingdom. Their unique chirrup-like vocalizations set them apart from the typical meow sound. A study comparing Abyssinian, Oriental, and Siamese kittens with Norwegian Forest cat kittens revealed that the former group tends to be more reserved and display shy behaviors.
The earliest designated Abyssinian cat, believed to be the first of its kind, is currently on display at the Leiden Zoological Museum in The Netherlands. Acquired between 1834-1836 from a supplier specializing in small wild cat exhibits, it was taxidermied and named Patrie, domestica India by the museum’s founder. The introduction of domesticated Abyssinians to England dates back to 1868 when British Lt. General Sir Robert Napier brought a cat named Zula from the Abyssinia War, which later won a prestigious award at the Crystal Palace cat show in December 1871. Despite some breeders questioning Zula’s authenticity as an Abyssinian due to illustrations showing discrepancies in ear size and coat texture, the breed faced near extinction in the UK after World War II and a feline leukaemia virus outbreak. To revive the breed, cats were imported from various countries including Holland, America, Scandinavia, Australia, and New Zealand. Recognized by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in 1929, the Abyssinian is considered one of the oldest established cat breeds with roots tracing back to references from the 1890s in the UK.
The Abyssinian cat is a sleek and muscular feline of medium to large size, typically weighing around 10 lb (4.5 kg) but varying between 8-12 lb (3.6-5.4 kg) with a height of 8-10 in (20-25 cm). Their head is wedge-shaped with a slight break at the muzzle, and their nose and chin form a straight vertical line when viewed from the side. They have large pointed ears and almond-shaped eyes in gold, green, hazel, or copper hues depending on their coat color. Their long legs and graceful body are complemented by small oval paws and a tapering tail.
Abyssinian kittens are born with dark coats that lighten over time, usually within several months. Their short coat should be fine, dense, close-lying, and silky to the touch with a distinct ticked or agouti pattern that is uniform over the body. The base color should be clear without extensive intermingling with grey, while white on the chin should be minimal. The breed’s original color standard features a warm deep reddish-brown base with black ticking known as usual in the UK.
Variations such as sorrel (cinnamon or red), blue, fawn, chocolate, lilac, and silver have been introduced through outcrossing to other breeds. The Silver Abyssinian has a pure silvery white base with black (usual silver), blue, cream, or sorrel ticking recognized in the UK. The breed’s distinctive coat is attributed to a dominant mutant gene called Ta.
