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Breed Info: History
History | Myths and Theories | Characteristics | Temperment | Health and Wellness | Colors | Grooming
The Abyssinian cat is one of the most popular breeds in the United Sates, second only to the Siamese in popularity among shorthaired cats.
The first documentation of the Abyssinian was with a cat named Zula. Many believe that in 1868 a cat was brought into England from Abyssinia, now know as Ethiopia by Captain Barrett-Leanard. Zula is believed to be the surviving one of a pair of Abyssinians. Another story is that Zula was actually brought into England by a man called Sir Robert Napier, once again from Abyssinia after the Abyssinian war.
The first Abyssinians were shown at Crystal Palace in England back in 1871 and the earliest recorded Abyssinian was registered in 1896, making the Abyssinian one of the earliest pedigree cats in England. Abyssinian breeding started in England in the 1930’s. Every Abyssinian in the world is descended from cats bred in England, exporting first to Europe, to the United States and then Australia and New Zealand.