A fox in the house

For a long time, kittens with semilong, soft hair appeared in litters of Abyssinians (which were actually of a much heavier type than today). But breeders were not interested in them and did not use them in reproduction. The gene responsible for semilong hair was probably introduced by crossing Abyssinians with longhaired cats (Persians or Angoras).
In Canada, it was not until 1960s that breeders Don Richings and Mary Mailing and judge Ken MacGill became interested in these new cats. In 1967, American breeder Evelyn Mague managed to pin down the semi longhair gene in Abyssinians. The new breed was named the Somali, in reference to the neighboring country of Ethiopia, the supposed birthplace of the Abyssinian. 
Mague founded the Lynn Lee Cattery and the first breed club in the United States. She showed the first Somali in 1972. The C.F.A. recognized the breed in 1979.
Lynn Lee’s Picasso and Lynn Lee’s Pearl, two Somalis from Mague’s cattery, arrived in France in 1979.

The F.I.Fe. approved the breed in 1982. It is highly prized by more and more people.

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Characteristics

This very lively cat is active but not exuberant. Hardy, well-balanced, and even-tempered, he is calmer than the Abyssinian.
Somalis have a gentle temperament and are sociable toward other cats and strangers. Very playful, they get along well children. Gentle and very affectionate, they demand lots of attention but are less possessive than the Abyssinian.
Although a bit sensitive to cold, they do not tolerate apartment life very well. They are big hunters, so a yard suits them.
In terms of grooming, they require only weekly brushing. During shedding, they should be brushed daily.
Somali Kittens are born with nearly bicolor coats: dark on the back and light on the under parts. Ticking appears very gradually. Similarly, the length and final appearance of the coat are not attained until the second year.