Official ICCF Breed Standard
Brief Historical Background
The Abyssinian cat is considered one of the oldest known feline breeds, believed to have originated in the regions along the Indian Ocean coast and East Africa. The name refers to Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia), yet archaeological findings and ancient Egyptian depictions of similarly featured cats suggest that these animals were revered as sacred in Egypt. The modern development of the breed began in the 19th century in Great Britain, following the import of a cat named Zula. Selective breeding later reinforced the unique ticked coat pattern and elegant type. In the 20th century, the breed spread widely across the USA and Europe, where it achieved its modern standard. Today, the Abyssinian cat is recognized as one of the most elegant and distinctive breeds in the world, blending ancient heritage with refined modern breeding.
General Appearance
The Abyssinian is a medium-sized, graceful cat with a lithe, elegant body and fine bone structure. The musculature is firm and well-developed, the body flexible yet not fragile. The head is wedge-shaped with soft contours, expressive almond-shaped eyes, and large, alert ears. Legs are long and slender with small, oval paws. The tail is long, tapering, and refined. The coat is short, close-lying, and exhibits the breed’s signature ticking, giving depth and brilliance to the color. The overall impression is one of vitality, balance, and elegance. The Abyssinian expresses intelligence, energy, and nobility through its alert gaze and graceful movement.
Important Proportions
The Abyssinian must be harmoniously built, with no signs of heaviness or excessive refinement. Height at the withers should be proportionate to the body length, creating a balanced format. Legs are moderately long, emphasizing elegance, and the tail corresponds in length to the body, tapering gracefully. The head should form a smooth wedge, with moderate skull width and balanced muzzle length. Eyes and ears must be sufficiently large to accentuate the breed’s type. Every proportion contributes to a silhouette that embodies harmony, refinement, and functionality.
Behavior and Temperament
The Abyssinian cat is lively, cheerful, and curious. Intelligent and sociable, it readily interacts with humans and enjoys play. It is energetic yet even-tempered and affectionate. The breed forms strong bonds with its owner, craves attention but is not demanding. It coexists well with other pets and is friendly toward children. The Abyssinian’s personality combines courage and independence with tenderness and loyalty. It is intelligent, easily trainable, and loves to explore its surroundings. Retaining its ancient hunting instincts, the Abyssinian thrives on activity and play.
Head
The head is a modified wedge of medium size, proportionate to the body. The skull is gently rounded with no sharp angles; cheekbones are smooth and slightly defined. The muzzle is medium in length, softly rounded at the tip, and the chin is firm but not heavy. The transition from forehead to nose is gentle and unbroken. The overall impression of the head conveys nobility and refinement.
Facial Features
The face is expressive, with harmonious and flowing lines. The nose is of medium length, straight, and slightly convex in profile. The nose leather is dark and matches the eye rim color. Lips are fine and well-pigmented, fitting closely. The chin is balanced, not protruding or weak. Jaws are strong, with even teeth and correct bite. The face should reflect the breed’s delicacy and grace.
Eyes
The eyes are large, almond-shaped, and expressive, set slightly oblique and wide open. Eye color ranges from gold to green and should be deep and vivid. The fine dark eye rim enhances expressiveness. The gaze is alert, intelligent, and animated. Round, small, dull, or pale eyes are considered faults.
Ears
The ears are large, broad at the base, slightly pointed at the tips, and always alert, inclined slightly forward. The inner surface is well-furnished, often with small tufts on the tips. Ear placement should harmonize with the head’s shape. Small, low-set, or overly narrow ears are undesirable.
Neck
The neck is medium in length, slender, and graceful, connecting smoothly to the shoulders. It should be long enough to allow a proud carriage of the head. Musculature is dry and elastic, showing strength without coarseness. A correct neck contributes to the breed’s elegant, balanced outline.
Body
The body is medium-sized, lean, and muscular with a slightly elongated format. The back is straight and firm, the chest of moderate width and depth. The abdomen is tucked up, emphasizing the athletic physique. The croup is gently rounded, with no abrupt transitions. The overall impression is of strength, suppleness, and symmetry.
Tail
The tail is long, slender, and flexible, tapering elegantly to the tip. It continues the body line harmoniously. Covered with short, dense fur, it exhibits clear ticking. In motion, it remains fluid and expressive. Faults include tails that are too short, thick, or kinked.
Forelimbs
Forelegs are long, fine-boned, and straight. Shoulders are sloping, elbows close to the body, and forearms parallel. Pasterns are short and firm. Paws are small, oval, and neat with arched toes. Pads are resilient. Deviations such as bowing, weakness, or flat feet are faults.
Hindlimbs
Hind legs are long, strong, and muscular. Thighs are firm, knees well-defined, and hocks low-set and sturdy. Legs are parallel, with oval compact paws. Movement should be springy and powerful. Inward or outward turning of hocks is undesirable.
Gait and Movement
The Abyssinian moves lightly and elastically, with fluid and coordinated motion. Steps are direct and confident, combining grace and agility. The movement is sound, noiseless, and dynamic. Stiff, unsteady, or crossing gait is considered faulty.
Coat
The coat is short, fine, close-lying, and silky to the touch, with a clearly defined ticking pattern. Each hair is banded in two or three colors, creating a shimmering appearance. The undercoat is soft and light but not woolly. The coat should be glossy and resilient. Soft, fluffy, or long fur is undesirable.
Acceptable Colors
Four main colors are recognized: ruddy, sorrel, blue, and fawn. Each hair must show two or three ticking bands. The base color is rich and even; the belly and inner legs are lighter. Facial markings and a dark tail tip are typical. White patches, smoke, solid, or tabby patterns are not allowed.
Size
Abyssinians are medium-sized cats with moderate sexual dimorphism. Males weigh about 4–5 kg, females 3–4 kg, with a height of 28–32 cm at the withers. Males are slightly larger and more muscular, females more refined. Proportions must emphasize balance and elegance.
Faults
Minor deviations that do not distort the breed type but affect quality include disproportionate body shape, weak musculature, coarse or overly delicate bone, poorly defined wedge, short or pointed muzzle, weak chin, round or narrow skull, small or pale eyes, low-set ears, short neck, or heavy limbs. Coat faults include lack of ticking, fluffy texture, uneven color, or white marks. Behavioral faults include excessive shyness or clinginess.
Disqualifications
Serious faults disqualifying the cat from breeding or exhibition include aggression or extreme fearfulness, jaw misalignment, missing canines or numerous missing teeth, blue or odd-colored eyes, lack of pigment in eyelids or nose, white patches, smoke or solid color, absence of ticking, tail deformities, spinal faults, lameness, cryptorchidism, congenital deformities, or signs of disease. Artificial coat coloring or cosmetic alterations are strictly prohibited.
Important Notes
The Abyssinian must convey elegance, harmony, and liveliness while preserving its ancient type. Even and clear ticking is essential; white patches or dull tones reduce the score. Judges assess overall balance, health, and temperament. The cat must appear confident, curious, and friendly. Cosmetic grooming that alters the natural coat is not permitted. The silhouette and movement should reflect refinement and energy. Only significant defects affect final evaluation. The key principle is maintaining the authentic charm and natural beauty of the breed.
Conclusion
Within the ICCF system, the Abyssinian cat is regarded as a breed of great historical and aesthetic significance, uniting ancient lineage with modern refinement. Its elegance, expressive ticking, balanced conformation, and lively temperament make it a model of feline grace. Only cats meeting the ICCF standard and holding official ICCF documentation are eligible for show and breeding. Selection prioritizes health, stable temperament, and absence of disqualifying defects. Judging is based on the totality of features — conformation, coat, movement, and character. Adherence to ICCF rules ensures preservation and further development of this remarkable breed, maintaining the Abyssinian as an enduring symbol of elegance and harmony.
