Origin and history
In a litter of Abyssinians, a semi-longhaired kitten appears. This gene is said to have been introduced by crossing the Abyssinian with longhaired cats (Persians or Angoras). When the breed was created, it was named Somali, in reference to the neighboring country of Ethiopia, which was supposedly the birthplace of the Abyssinian. E. Mague exhibited the first Somali in 1972. The CFA recognized the breed in 1978, while the FIFe approved it in 1982.
Personality
The Somali is calmer than the Abyssinian, he has a calm character, but he is just as gentle, sociable, affectionate and playful as his cousin. Lively and active, he loves to be part of the game.
Hereditary diseases
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency and increased osmotic fragility of red blood cells
- Renal amyloidosis AA
- Feline neonatal isoerythrolysis (NI)
- Progressive retinal atrophy
Predisposition to diseases
- Gingivitis
- Predispositions to diseases
