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The Somali is a moderate-sized cat with soft, medium-length fur and a bushy tail which has sometimes earned the cat the nickname "fox cat". Somalis are also referred to as "longhaired Abyssinians", since Abyssinians are the "parent breed" of the Somali breed.
Somalis are sweet-faced, lithe, muscular cats with an overall impression of alertness, intelligence and keen curiosity. A standing Somali should almost give the impression that it's standing on its toes. The best term for a Somali would be "moderate" -- medium hair, medium size, medium type (neither cobby nor svelte).
Somalis are ticked cats. Each hair on their bodies has bands of darker colour, sometimes as many as 10 or 12 in a Somali. The ticking is darker than the ground colour, giving the impression of a gloss or shimmer to the cat. Although ticking is a type of tabby, the show-quality Somali has no stripes on its body. A pet-quality Somali may show some tabby striping on its legs, tail or throat. The ticking usually causes a darker shine of colour along the cat's back and on the tip of its brushy tail, and gives the cat an exotic, wild look. This shimmery line of darker colour is sometimes referred to as an eel stripe. Although the fur might look coarse, it's extremely soft, almost rabbit-like.
PURRsonality
Somalis have a gentle loving nature, they get along well with dogs & with their gentleness & sense of fun make a great pet for older children. A sometimes-mischievous cat the Somali will rush around trilling to itself finding 'things' to investigate & play with. Anyone who has heard a Somali purring & trilling at the same time will tell you it's one of the happiest sounds in the world, (once they get their hearing back) - the Somali has a VERY LOUD purr. Somali's will make friends with everyone. and welcome attention & cuddles. Above all Somalis are very intelligent & can be taught to walk on a harness & some will even retrieve a toy for you to throw again.
Ticking
The Somali is the only semi longhaired breed of cat with bands of two colours alternating on every hair which makes the coat sparkle.
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