THE SOMALI STANDARD

General:

The Somali cat is of foreign type and of medium build.

Firm, lithe and muscular.

Never large or coarse.

The head to be broad and tapering to a firm wedge set on an elegant neck.

The body to be of medium length with a fairly long tapering tail.

A cobby cat is not permissible.

Head:

Is a moderate wedge of medium proportions. The brow, cheeks and profile lines showing a gentle contour and the muzzle not sharply pointed. A shallow indentation forming the muzzle is desirable. In profile the head shows a gentle rounding to the brow with a slight nose break leading to a firm chin.

Ears:

Set wide apart and pricked. Broad at the base. Comparatively large. Well cupped. Preferably tufted. The inner horizontal hair furnishings reach almost to the other side of the ear.

Eyes:

Almond shaped, Set well apart. Large, bright and expressive.

Colour: Green, Gold or Hazel. The more richness and depth of colour the better

Body:

Medium. Lithe. Graceful. Well balanced.

Legs:

Proportionately slim however, deceptively well muscled. Length of legs should be in proportion with length of body.

Feet:

Neat. Oval. Compact, with tufts between the toes.

Tail:

Broad at base. proportionately long and tapering with a full brush.

Coat:

A medium length body coat giving a full coated appearance except over the shoulders where there is a slightly shorter close lying coat. Preference is given to a full ruff and breeches. Coat may accommodate numerous bands of ticking, except on belly and inside of forelegs. Texture very soft to touch and extremely fine. More dense the coat the better

Markings: It is required that the appropriate darker hair colour extends well up the back of the hind legs preferably to the hocks, also showing as a solid tip at the extreme end of the tail. A line of dark pigmentation is required around the eyes. The Somali has a tendency to white in the immediate area of the lips and lower jaw, but cream is preferred. Note:

The Somali is extremely slow in showing mature ticking and coat, and allowances should be made for kittens and young cats.

FAULTS: REFER TO GENERAL LIST FOR ALL BREEDS PLUS:

Awards should be withheld as follows:

Heavy bars or rings on legs or tail.

Unbroken necklace.

Any white markings, other than under the chin or near the nostrils.

White locket.

Kinked tail.

Grey undercoat (other than on shoulders or elbows).

Squint.

Odd or incorrect paw pad colour.

Scale of Points:

Type:

Eyes 5 Feet and tail 20 Overall balance and condition 5

Sub total 50

Colour

Colour 10 Ticking 15 Coat length 20 Coat texture 5

Sub total 50

TOTAL 100 COLOUR STANDARDS

As for Abyssinian

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