Abyssinian

Foreign

Coat

Ticked tabby (modified): This breed shows a modified form of ticked tabby. The pattern is created by layering a ticking furfile over a base colour (topcoat) with lighter markings on the undersides of the cat.

The pattern is split as follows:
Topcoat - The base colour of the coat.
Undersides - A lighter colour on the undersides and extremities. Primary Underside markings (Required) are the belly, throat/front of chest, around the eyes and on the toes/fingers. These areas never have ticking. Secondary Underside markings (optional) are allowed on the eye pips, legs (lower legs or up to shoulders/hips), sides of body, chest, cheeks, underside of tail, and jowls. These markings may have ticking (fully or partially), though unticked is preferred.
Ticking - Darker tipping on top of the topcoat. Ticking may be be an allowed tipping colour (preferred), a darker shade of the topcoat colour or a combination of the two, using transparent ticking on the lower legs and other lightly ticked areas (areas with Secondary Underside markings) and dark ticking on the rest of the cat.

The ticking may be even all over the cat or gradually fading. When gradual, it should be the most intense along the spine, tail and/or back of head/neck and lighter towards the legs. The second half of the tail (half nearer to the tip) may show heavier ticking than the first half.

All of the above may show darker shading along the spine and tail (or just top of tail). The shading is a darker shade of the topcoat colour.

For all of the above, the ticking is preferred to be as intense, dark and clearly visible as possible, with the exception of areas with Underside markings which are preferred to be unticked.

Allowed combinations:

Black (Ruddy):
Topcoat: (last is faulted)
Undersides:
Ticking:

Blue:
Topcoat:
Undersides:
Ticking:

Cinnamon (Red, Sorrel):
Topcoat:
Undersides:
Ticking:
Topcoat with ticking is also an allowed combination
The Undersides may be the same colour as the topcoat without fault in all Cinnamons.

Fawn (Beige):
Topcoat:
Undersides:
Ticking:
The Undersides may be the same colour as the topcoat without fault in all Fawns.

Silver colours:
For all Silvers, the Undersides are the same colour as the topcoat.
Black silver: with ticking
Blue silver: with ticking
Cinnamon silver: with ticking
Fawn silver: with ticking

Additional markings:
The tailtip must always be a solid version of the ticking colour (Black and Blue catz must use an allowed ticking colour for that combination, Cinnamon and Fawn catz may use the same colour as the topcoat). The eartips, toe tufts, bottom of feet, eye pips, eyelines and cheekbones may also be a solid version of the tipping colour.

All combinations are allowed to have chin, muzzle, around and/or above the eyes and throat. is also allowed in Black catz.

Eyes

Nose

Matches surrounding coat.

Faults

White on chest, necklaces, lockets, 'cold' colours, greyish undercoat, lack of ticking, incomplete markings.

Disqualifications

Barring (striping), lack of required markings.

Varieties

None

Notes

The Abyssinian is a colourful cat with a distinctly ticked coat and a regal appearance. The ideal Aby, as fans call them, is lithe, muscular, and athletic, displaying great interest and enthusiasm for its surroundings. It is well up on its feet, giving the impression that it stands on its tip-toes. It is one of the oldest known breeds and was imported from Africa sometime before its first recorded appearance as the 3rd prize winner at the December 1871 Crystal Palace cat show in London. Genetic testing reveals that the long-held suspicion that the Aby originated from crosses between Siamese and British cats is likely incorrect; they have a similar genotype to genuine Indian Ocean cats. They are an extremely people-oriented cat, with a level of energy and activity that can make them difficult pets if you are not prepared for fridge-jumping or curtain-climbing!

Type & judging remarks
The head is a modified wedge without flat planes, with large ears and a medium long torso that is lithe and graceful. Slightly arched back gives the impression of a cat about to spring. The coat colour should be warm and glowing, with distinct dark ticking and an undercoat that is clear and bright.

Breed Files

Filename: SN Abyssinian
Offset: 234D
Base: Siamese
SCP: Tabby
Accepted: December 7, 2014
Notes: Version 2 of the Supernova file. Addballz tail (3 variations).

Filename: SN Abyssinian
Offset: 234D
Base: Tabby
SCP: Tabby
Accepted: January 10, 2007
Notes: Addballz ears and tail (3 variations). Internal furfile, which is accepted.

Filename: Abyssinian
Offset: 4505
Base: Maine Coon
SCP: Maine Coon
Accepted: January 5, 2006
Notes: Includes furfile for proper ticking.