Abyssinians are so named because of their similarity to the sacred cats portrayed in ancient Egyptian art. Like those seen on wall paintings, modern-day examples are medium-sized, muscular and athletic cats with a long tapering tail, large pointed ears and large eyes.

In personality, they are active, alert, and highly intelligent. Many regard them as being similar to a dog - they will be happy to teach you a new trick every day. In fact, an Aby will find almost any object around the home is just perfect to turn into their latest toy.

Abys in Western Australia come in 8 colours (4 non silver or solid colours and 4 silver colours). The coat of an Aby is unusual in that the ends of the hair are ticked with black or dark brown, called "ticking", not unlike
rabbit fur.

The most common colours are : 

Tawny - a rich golden brown ticked with black.

Blue - Darker bands of colour with alternating bands of warm beige, giving
the impression of a warm dark blue cat with a much subtler look.

Cinnamon - a warm copper ticked with chocolate (also known as Sorrel).

Fawn (a dilute of cinnamon) - almost a peach shade.

A challenge to breeders has been the development of Silver Abyssinians. Silver is produced by the dominant dilution gene - development of pigment in the undercoat being suppressed, whilst maintaining the uppermost coat ticking. This has resulted in variations such as Black Silver, Blue Silver, Cinnamon Silver and Fawn Silver. Silver is one of the most difficult colours to work with to achieve a contrasting pattern of very high quality and clarity, and what is seen today has taken many years of dedicated breeding. 

However, as breeders we cannot only consider colour - engaging temperament, robust good health, conformation with accepted breed standards and the genetics underlying all this have to be taken into consideration when embarking on a breeding program.

For those of all ages, an Aby can certainly be an excellent companion. They have an adaptable character and when taught from an early age will enjoy all the family has to offer, including travel and walks using a cat harness.

	Name:	Ch Nivalis Eberhardt
	Type:	Black Silver Abyssinian
	DOB:	February 2008
	Pedigree:	View My Pedigree
	About Me:	Eberhardt arrived from Fiona Mangan of Nivalis Abyssinians in N.S.W. His beautiful, crystal-clear silver undercoat is every breeder's dream. Eberhardt's kittens carry his beautiful loving nature and love of attention.
	Name:	Kimara Artik Delatamiere (Del Boy)
	Type:	Black Silver Abyssinian
	DOB:	May 2007
	Pedigree:	View My Pedigree
	About Me:	Del Boy has a balanced muscular body with good coat ticking, along with an exceptionally placid nature. These qualities suggest excellent potential as a stud boy for the coming years.
	Name: Kimara Arctic Silva Lining (Bear) Type: Black Silver Abyssinian DOB: 2005 Pedigree: View My Pedigree About Me: Now owned by Kerstin Jones of Zinnabar Abyssinians in Qld. This beautiful boy, who resembled a cuddly polar bear as a baby, now resides with Kerstin Jones of Zinnabar Abyssinians in Queensland. His stunning green eyes, crystal clear silver coat, traditional Abyssinian head type and wonderful soft nature has seen Bear placed highly on the show bench. Bear is the father of many 'Baby Bears' including Zinnabar Soft as Silk, Kimara Artik Delatamiere and Kimara Artik Everso Silva.
	Name: Kimara Artik Abie Indy go Girl (Wonky) Type: Black Silver Abyssinian DOB: November 2006 Pedigree: View My Pedigree About Me: Wonky is a very strong athletic girl of great intelligence. She has that lovely wild Abyssinian look that befits a feline from the time of the Pharaohs.
	Name: Zinnabar Soft as Silk  (Sassy) Type: Black Silver Abyssinian DOB: Jan 2007 Pedigree: View My Pedigree About Me: Sassy is our precious princess who came to us from Kerstin Jones of Zinnabar Abyssinians in Queensland. Delightful in every sense, Sassy fitted into our home and my husband's arms from the day she arrived. She loves to be centre of attention, so motherhood suits her well.
	Name:	Kimara Artik Mysoft as Satin (Tufty)
	Type:	Black Silver Abyssinian
	DOB:	2009
	Pedigree:	View My Pedigree
	About Me:	Tufty could be given no other name with her beautiful ear tufts, now often missing from current Abyssinians. Tufty is one of our first offspring from Nivalis Eberhardt but in many ways she replicates her mother and thus she soon became another of my husband's favourite silvers
	Name:	Kimara Artik Everso Silva (Midget)
	Type:	Black Silver Abyssinian
	DOB:	May 2007
	Pedigree:	View My Pedigree
	About Me:	Everso Silva, also known as 'Midget' is Delatamiere's half sister. She may be half his size but is twice as naughty but has the most delightful affectionate nature. Everso Silva has an excellent Aby head with gentle curves.
	Name: Kimara Artik Hi Ho Silva (Silvie) Type: Black Silver Abyssinian DOB: Oct 2008 Pedigree: View My Pedigree About Me: Silvie is a girl with a again that wonderful wild expression. She loves to be close-by just in case I need help with any tasks at hand. We hope to have a litter from Silvie in late 2010.
	Name: Kimara Artik Oh La Pippa Hari (Pippa Lee) Type: Cinnamon Silver Abyssinian DOB: 2009 Pedigree: View My Pedigree About Me: Pippa is the daughter of Kimara Artik Hi Ho Silva, a cinnamon silver of good clarity and quality. She is a beautiful example of the type of quality that can take years to achieve. Thank you to Kerstin Jones for helping me to achieve a dream. Pippa also is one to find anything to play with - she can often be found her carrying items in her mouth (normally something she has stolen) and looking very proud of herself. What a character!
	Name: (QLD) Ch Zinnabar Strawberry Kisses (Kisses)  Type: Cinnamon Abyssinian  DOB: May 2008 Pedigree: View My Pedigree About Me: Kisses came to me as an adult - she was bred by Kerstin Jones of Zinnabar Abyssinians. She is my only 'solid' colour Abyssinian and very important in the breeding of Silvers. Kisses is a very easy going girl who is bothered by nothing - she adores any dog companion and is a great mother to her kittens
	Name: Nivalis Silver Samba Type: Black Silver Abyssinian DOB: Dec 1998 Pedigree: View My Pedigree About Me: We wish to thank the Mangans of Nivalis Silver Abyssinians in NSW for our first Silver Abyssinian. Samba is now a happy retired girl who enjoys strolling around the garden. Samba put the Silver Abyssinians back on to the West Australian Show bench and it is now her great great grandchildren that continue the wonderful Silvers on display around Australia