Abyssinian

The Abyssinian (Pronunciation: \a-bə-si-nē-ən, -nyən\ ) is a breed of domesticated cat which is sometimes believed to have originated from one Egyptian female kitten called Zula that was taken from a port in Alexandria, Egypt, by a British soldier and brought to England. This theory is not established as true... Read More

The Abyssinian (Pronunciation: \a-bə-si-nē-ən, -nyən\ ) is a breed of domesticated cat which is sometimes believed to have originated from one Egyptian female kitten called Zula that was taken from a port in Alexandria, Egypt, by a British soldier and brought to England. This theory is not established as true because there is no solid link between the cat listed as an Abyssinian in 1882 and Zula. There have also been at least one, and possibly as many as three Abyssinians introduced from Libya (or less likely Egypt) into the existing Abyssinian gene pool in the USA. Many sources spread the story that Abyssinian breed is a few thousands years old and that it directly comes from ancient Egypt. There are also stories that wild 'Abyssinians' live in parts of North Africa today. The Abyssinian has become one of the most popular shorthair breed of cats in the USA. See Less