Somali
![](https://catlives.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Somali-Cat-compressed-540x360-1.jpg)
Origin
United States
Height
8"- 10"
Adult Weight
8-12 pounds
Life Span
11-12 years
TEMPERAMENT
Outgoing, inquisitive, lively, family-oriented
OTHER NAMES
Longhaired Abyssinian
Group
Medium-sized long-haired
Price
$1000 - $1500
Personality and Temperament
Care
- NUTRITION
- GROOMING
- EXERCISE
- HEALTH
Characteristics
History
The Breed Standard
Body
The Somali is a medium to large cat with a medium-long torso that exhibits well-developed musculature. The overall impression should be that of a lean, graceful cat with a slightly arched back.
Head
The head should be a modified, slightly rounded wedge with gently rounded contours and no flat planes. The muzzle should be gently rounded, as should the chin. There should be no whisker pinch. Males may exhibit jowls.
Eyes
The eyes should be large, almond-shaped, and expressive, with dark lid skin encircled by a lighter colored area. The area above each eye should be accented with a short, dark, vertical line. A second fine pencil line should continue from the upper lid toward the base of the ear. A Somali cat’s eyes should be gold or green, with preference given to richer, deeper colors.
Ears
The Somali cat’s ears should have a large, alert appearance, preferably with horizontal tufts in the inner ear.
Legs & Paws
The legs should be well-proportioned and proportionate to the torso. The paws should be compact ovals.
Tail
The Somali cat’s tail should be thick at the base, with a slight taper. The tail should be well-furnished, with a full brush.
Coat
The Somali cat should have a fine double coat with ample density. The coat should be of medium length, with a ruff and breeches as well as a slightly shorter area of fur across the shoulders.
Color
Somali cats may be of Ruddy, Red, Fawn, or Blue colors, with distinct, even ticking that features contrasting light and dark colors on each hair shaft. Preference is given to unmarked cats, but some darker shading is permissible. Nose leather and paw pad color should complement the coat color. Some registries accept Somali cats in different colors including chocolate, red, cream, lilac, usual tortie, blue tortie, sorrel tortie, fawn tortie, lilac tortie, chocolate tortie. Some also accept silver color variants, i.e. sorrel tortie silver.