Abyssinian Cat Breeds MetPet.com The Abyssinian is a domestic cat breed with a characteristic ticked or agouti coat.  Ticked or agouti means that each individual hair, from base to tip, has 2-3 different bands of color.  Abyssinian coats have the darkest band at the tip of the hair with the lightest band at the base.  Abyssinia, from which the breed gets it's name, is now known as Ethiopia.  In France the breed is known as Abyssin, in Germany as Abessinier and in Holland as Abessijn. The modern Abyssinian is a medium-sized cat, with a long and slender build, large triangular ears, a moderately wedge-shaped head, a short, dense coat and a long tail.  The traditional Abyssinian color is known as Ruddy which is a burnt-red/orange/sienna color.  Today, there are a number of accepted colors both in the UK and the US including Ruddy, Red, Blue and Fawn.  The Somali, another recognized breed, is the long-haired version of the Abyssinian.  The Abyssinian is generally regarded as an active, intelligent and playful cat.  It can be strong willed and requires attention and enough room to roam the house and be amused.  The Abyssinian has been known as a breed in the UK since 1889 and was brought to the US a decade later.  It's origins may lie in pet cats brought from Ethiopia by the families of British soldiers during a short skirmish there in the 1860s or by deliberate breeding by cat fanciers in the UK. Related information: Agouti