Abyssinian Cats
The name 'Abyssinian' refers to Ethiopia. Most stories about the origins of Abyssinians refer to Egypt. Abyssinian cats are believed to have originated from one Egyptian female kitten called Zula, who was taken from a port in Alexandria by a British soldier and brought to England, although there is no solid proof that this story is true. Stories are spread saying that the Abyssinian breed is a few thousand years old and that it directly comes from Ancient Egypt. More stories tell that there are wild 'Abyssinians' that live in parts of North Africa today.
History of Abyssinian Cats
Physical Characteristics
The Abyssinian's body is of medium length, lithe, with well-developed muscles. The legs are slender in proportion to the rest of the body, with a fine bone structure and having small oval paws. Abyssinians have a faily long tail, broad at the base and tapering to a point.
The head is broad and moderately wedge-shaped and having almond shaped eyes that are gold, green, hazel, or copper in color. The chin usually forms a straight line when viewed from the side. The Abyssinian's ears are large and cupped at the base, and moderately pointed at the tips, where tufts of hair are commonly seen. Large ear tufts are often a wanted characteristic of a show breed. M shaped markings are often found in the fur on the forhead.
Temperament
Abyssinian's are very attention-demanding and can get depressed without daily activity and attention. They are fond of jumping and playing and are not commonly considered a "lap cat". They are obssesive hunters and are very formidable. Abyssinian's are known for their curiosity and enjoy exploring their surroundings, including heights, although they are sensible cats that do not take unnecessary risks. They are very intelligent and very affectionate with an engaging voice that can be very misleading. Abyssinian's are usually shy towards strangers and have a timid nature which is often why they are not used as show cats.