There are so many beautiful purebred cats—each with their own unique characteristics. If you’ve been doing some research lately, Black Abyssinian may have caught you off guard (and we don’t blame you!)
The Black Abyssinian is an old breed that brings a lot of personality to the home. If you love the funny antics of kittens, this breed will keep you entertained.
| Height: | 12–15 inches |
| Weight: | 5–10 pounds |
| Forever: | 9–15 years |
| Colors: | Black silver, blue silver, fawn silver, sorrel silver, tortoiseshell, red, cream, chocolate, lilac |
| Suitable for: | Active families, many pet households |
| attitude: | Friendly, curious, active |
The ancient Abyssinian is known for its many coat colors—including the funky variation of black. Let’s explore this coat color in more detail below.
Characteristics of the Black Abyssinian
The Earliest Records of Black Abyssinian History
Abyssinian is from Ethiopia (formerly called Abyssinia) and Southeast Asia. Their history remains murky—no one can agree or pinpoint exactly when these cats appeared.
Geneticists concluded that this breed probably originated from the coast of the Indian Ocean. However, there are other rumors about Abyssinians coming to Great Britain from a rebellious soldier. Hard to say. But one thing is for sure—people love Abys!
It is not very clear when the black coat color appeared for the Abyssinians. However, the color has always been very rare and is still rare today.
How the Black Abyssinian Gained Popularity
The Abyssinian gained popularity mainly because of their unique appearance and personality. Fine-boned cats closely resemble wild cats in nature—especially the Somali cat.
Their coats are very intriguing to onlookers as they usually have a sandy, solid colored coat. Despite how sturdy they look, they still fall into the tabby category.
Many love Abys for their spry acrobatics and hilarious antics. It is no wonder that many people bring Aby into their homes.
Formal Recognition of the Black Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is one of the oldest breeds of all domestic felines. It is also one of the first formally recognized by TICA, or The International Cat Association. The official recognition date is June 22n.d1979.
However, Black Abyssinians are not among the recognized coat colors of this breed, as black is a rare coat color, so they cannot be registered.
Top 5 Unique Facts About Black Abyssinian
1. Black is a rarer Abyssinian coat color.
It is very common to see an Abyssinian with a lot of brown color. But black is actually a very rare Abyssinian color that is not recognized. Usually, the black coat will have red or silver hair underneath. These kittens tend to look like sleek, wild panthers.
2. Abyssinians are technically tabbies with a “ticked” coat.
If you glance at an Abyssinian coat, it looks solid to the eye. Abyssinians are characterized by a ticked tabby pattern, due to the illusion that it is solid. However, it is quite weak on very close examination. The real signal is the M shape on the forehead—you can’t hide a real tabby. So, this is the closest thing you can get to a real “solid” coated Aby.
3. Abyssinians are acrobats at heart.
If you have an Abyssinian, you will quickly get used to their climbing behavior. These cats love up, down, and all around. They benefit greatly from having wall climbs, perches, and cat trees.
You will be thoroughly entertained, watching them bounce from one activity to the next. This is the type of cat that will thrive in a home with laser pointers and interactive cat toys.
4. Abyssinians do not do well in confined spaces.
If you live in a small apartment or other small space, an Abyssinian will not be the right pet for you. Say you’re just renting a room in a college dorm. The Abyssinian will not be happy, locked in a single space all day.
They are explorers at heart and need to have room to stretch their legs. These cats also do better when you can take them for walks, and they can easily learn to walk on a leash.
5. Abyssinians tend to get along with dogs.
Abyssinians like to have another cat with a similar level of activity in the house. However, this kitten also makes an excellent companion for a dog. They love the dog style of play, love to play with pooches.
Many people are specifically looking for a cat that can get along well with the family, which usually means one that gets along well with other pets and kids—so, ding, ding, ding—you’ve got your winner! 
Do Black Abyssinians Make Good Pets?
The black coat does not affect the personality of an Abyssinian! Abyssinians of any color can make an incredible companion for the right lifestyle. If you have a very relaxed and calm environment, having an Abyssinian sitting around can make things a little chaotic. These cats will be bored in a home without much activity.
For this reason, the Abyssinian is an excellent match for children and growing families. They are also very good with different animals. However, always supervise any interaction of the Abyssinian with smaller pets, as they have a very high prey drive.
If you have a very active lifestyle and are obsessed with the great outdoors, you and an Aby would be a perfect match! They can easily learn to walk on a leash or ride in a backpack. They want to see different sites and smell different smells next to you.
Conclusion
So, now you understand a little more about the Abyssinian breed as a whole. Black color is not an official coat standard, but it is still possible for them to have a shade, although it is rare. Often, there is a different color for the undercoat, which gives your kitten a more interesting look.
The Abys is one of the oldest domestic cat breeds in history. Beyond that, they retain many of their basic instincts—such as their desire to hunt prey and their high energy. This cat does best in homes that are busy, busy, busy.
Featured Image Credit: Dimdok, Shutterstock
