The Somali is a well-proportioned, medium to large cat with firm muscular development, lithe body, showing an alert, lively interest in all surroundings. Somali coats are generally two to three inches in length, non-matting, and easy to care for. They have a remarkable "fox-like" appearance due to their markings, bushy tail, full breeches, and ruff. The Somali is available in ruddy, red, blue, and fawn

How did this wonderful breed come into being? The Somali is a longhair Abyssinian, first originating as an undesirable product of a recessive gene in the Abyssinian cat. How this gene was introduced into the Abyssinian gene pool is of much speculation. After World War II, there were few Abyssinian cats to be found. In fact, some estimates are that less than 12 Abyssinians remained after World War II. Many of the resulting litters during this time show cats of unknown parentage. With these unknown cats in the background of cats from England and other areas, it makes sense that a longhair gene could have been introduced. Since the gene for short hair is dominant, unless both parents carry the longhair gene, only shorthair kittens will be produced. The recessive longhair gene, even if present in both parents, does not always produce a longhair cat. Two shorthair cats can produce a longhair kitten, if both carry the longhair gene, but two longhairs can never produce a shorthair kitten. It was not until two related British Abyssinians produced some of the first longhair Abyssinians that this was fully discovered. "Raby Chuffa of Selene," from Canada/United States, and "Bruerne Achilles" from Australia/New Zealand, were two of the first cats identified as longhair carriers. Can you imagine the reaction of the Abyssinian breeders to have longhair kittens in their litters? These "undesirable" kittens were petted out or otherwise "swept under the carpet," and many Aby breeders refused to admit having them; but others went on to produce more longhair kittens. We may never be able to pinpoint the way that the longhair gene was introduced into the Abyssinian gene pool, but the result was our beautiful Somali cats. This breed derived it’s name from Somalia, the ancient neighboring country of Abyssinia.