CFA標準：索馬里貓(Somali)

美國CFA官方關於索馬里貓的品種簡介的中文翻譯版和英文原文。

歷史：

原產地應該是在非洲。據說，索馬里貓是1967年由純種的阿比西尼亞貓突變產生出來的長毛貓，經過有計劃繁殖而形成的品種。在歐美等國經過繁衍培育，至1983年才得到英國貓協會的認可，1991年在英國貓迷管理委員會奪得冠軍地位。

外觀：

索馬里貓的長相基本上與阿比西尼亞貓一樣，身材苗條優美，略圓;臉也是稍圓的楔子形;一對大耳朵呈寬的“V”字形;杏仁眼的上方是黑色的眼皮，給人留下深刻的印象。索馬里貓初生時是一身短毛，毛會迅速變軟。但被毛會隨著貓長大而漸漸變的平滑和富有光澤。被毛中等長度，相當柔軟、細而濃密，在肩部較短，但在後腿上卻有著長毛，尾毛也十分濃密。毛色有栗銀白色、棕紅色、深紅色、藍色、銀乳黃色、淡紫色、藍銀白色、銀白色、巧克力銀色等十一、二種之多。其中深紅色又是阿比西尼亞貓和索馬里貓的代表色，最為普遍。所有的索馬里貓的眼睛都是琥珀色、淺褐色或綠色的。

性情：

索馬里貓十分聰明、性格溫和，善解人意。它的運動神經極為發達，因而動作敏捷，喜歡自由活動，因而不適合養在公寓裡。

CFA官方關於索馬里貓的品種簡介的英文原文

Breed Profile: Somali

The Somali is a breathtaking cat to behold. It bears an uncanny resemblance to a little fox, with its large ears, masked face, full ruff and bushy tail. The Somali’s wild, feral look is what immediately draws fascinated attention.

Somalis are intelligent cats, and while active, they have soft voices and are usually quiet. They communicate with human family members through soft mews and possess a charming trill. They are extroverts and very social. Possessed with a zest for life, they love to play, solicit nuzzles and pats, and thrive on human companionship. Somalis have bursts of energy several times a day, at which time they will take off through the house, jumping into the air. They toss balls and toys in the air, fetch them back and begin the game anew. Tail and back arched, the Somali will run sideways like a monkey, and even hold objects and food the way a monkey does. Adept at opening cupboards and drawers, Somalis sometimes hide inside their secret areas. Many Somalis can manipulate faucets, and they love to play with water.

Somalis are well-proportioned, medium to large cats with firm muscular development. Their body is medium long and graceful, with a medium-length soft and silky coat that requires little grooming. The coat is usually one to three inches long, with shorter fur across the shoulders. The tail is fluffy and full; their feet have tufts between the toes. Their large, almond shaped eyes range in color from intense green to rich copper. The Somali has an agouti, or ticked, coat with four to twenty bands of color on each hair. The ticked fur mantles the cat with harmonizing solid color on its underside. They come in four recognized colors: ruddy, red, blue and fawn.

Somalis have small litters of three to four kittens, which develop slowly. They reach their full size at about eighteen months of age.

Pricing on Somalis usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National Regional winning parentage (NW or RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.

There are CFA clubs devoted to the promotion, protection and preservation of the Somali breed. For more information, please send inquiries to CFA, PO Box 1005, Manasquan NJ 08736-0805.