GC Gunsmoke's WWDD
GC, BW, RW Ameusin Houdini of Gunsmoke and GC, BW, RW Ameusin Magic Bullet
The Somali
THE FELINE FOX
Active, alert, affectionate, intelligent are just a sample of the words Somali owners use to describe these wonderful pets. The Somali insists on "paws on" contact with their humans. They seek out people to love with the intensity of a heat-seeking missile.
They specialize in body contact - head bumps, leg rubs, nose snuggles, ear nibbles and shoulder riding. They may have soft quiet voices, but they demand attention from their ownsers.
Somalis are not for people who prefer independent cats. Somalis also teach their owners to be neat and tidy housekeepers. Obviously to them, anything left lying around was meant to be a toy for their recreational pleasure.
what does the somali look like?
GC, BW, NW, AM GUNSMOKE'S COQUITO - Photo by ChananThe Somali's wild-looking appearance attracts many people to the breed. The vibrantly-colored silky-soft medium length coat with a full plume tail and britches often reminds people of a fox.
The original and most popular color is called ruddy. It begins at the base of the hair with a burnt sienna color, alternating shades of reddish browns, and finally tipped in black, and can take up to two years for this unique coloring to reach its full beauty. Other colors available are cinnamon, blue and fawn.
GC, BW, NW, AM GUNSMOKE'S COQUITO WITH JUDGE KENNY CURRLE
there is also a shorthair somali
GUNSMOKE'S PUMA - Photo by ChananSince the Somali is essentially a longhaired Abyssinian, we are allowed to go back to our parent breed and use Abyssinians in our breeding program. This is a good way for us to expand our gene pool and bring in some qualities to continue to improve both health and appearance in our bloodlines.
When we breed an Abyssinian to a Somali, we will get all shorthaired kittens. They look just like an Abyssinian to you and me but they carry the long haired gene of a Somali.
When we breed a Shorthaired Somali to a Longhaired Somali, we will have some Longhaired and some Shorthaired Somali kittens. When we breed one of those Longhaired Somalis to another Longhaired Somali, we lock in the longhaired gene forever.
We sometimes have shorthair kittens for sale as pets. They are as gorgeous as a registered Abyssinian, and they have the same alert and active temperaments, with that gregarious Aby/Somali personality!
how Do I Find a Somali to Buy?
GC, BW, RW Gunsmoke's Little Fox - Photo by ChananSomalis are a rare breed and most people who breed them only have a few litters of kittens each year. This means once you have located a breeder, you may have to wait a while to become a Somali owner.
You may be surprised to find that most breeders do not sell kittens until they are at least 4 to 6 months old and already spayed/neutered. This is to protect them until they are immunized against several serious diseases.
It also helps to protect against unnecessary vet bills. Sometimes breeders will also sell young adults who are "retired" from the show ring or breeding programs. They usually adapt to their new homes quite easily. Somalis of any age make extraordinary companions. They combine a uniquely wild appearance with a loving and gentle personality. Somalis are true "people pleasing foxes."