The SomaliThe SomaliBreed WorkshopBreed Workshop

June 19, 1998June 19, 1998

PrefacePreface

The Somali is often described as The Somali is often described as ﾒﾒ The Feline FoxThe Feline Fox ﾓﾓ

Preface (continued)Preface (continued)

This information is provThis information is provided to enhance your knided to enhance your knowledge of the breed, aowledge of the breed, and we hope, your enjoynd we hope, your enjoyment when you have thement when you have them in front of you!m in front of you!

Preface (continued)Preface (continued)

One of the most vital thiOne of the most vital things to remember when longs to remember when looking at a Somali, is that oking at a Somali, is that the points allotted to the the points allotted to the various aspects of the cat various aspects of the cat are spread quite evenly oare spread quite evenly over the entire catver the entire cat

Preface (continued)Preface (continued)

What that means for the judge evaluating a Somali is that the What that means for the judge evaluating a Somali is that the cat is . . .cat is . . . More than an ear setMore than an ear set More than an absence of barringMore than an absence of barring More than tickingMore than ticking More than colorMore than color More than head typeMore than head type More than eye shapeMore than eye shape More than coat lengthMore than coat length More than markingsMore than markings More than body styleMore than body style More than a bushy tail, or any one thing! More than a bushy tail, or any one thing!

Preface (continued)Preface (continued)

Preface (continued)Preface (continued)

One of the most difficult of all bOne of the most difficult of all breeds to work with, many, many reeds to work with, many, many things of nearly equal importancthings of nearly equal importance have to come together in the Se have to come together in the Somali. It is exceedingly difficult omali. It is exceedingly difficult to bring all the components, somto bring all the components, some of which are subtle, together ie of which are subtle, together in one cat. Somali breeders are an one cat. Somali breeders are among the most wishful for that among the most wishful for that all elusive ll elusive ﾒﾒ Velcro catVelcro cat ﾓﾓ ! !

Preface (continued)Preface (continued)

Part I: The StandardPart I: The Standard

Somali CFA Show StandardSomali CFA Show Standard

HeadHead 25 points25 points BodyBody 25 points25 points CoatCoat 20 points20 points ColorColor 30 points30 points

The overall impression of the Somali is that of a well-proportionThe overall impression of the Somali is that of a well-proportioned medium to large cat, firm muscular development, lithe, showed medium to large cat, firm muscular development, lithe, showing an alert, lively interest in all surroundings, with an even disping an alert, lively interest in all surroundings, with an even disposition and easy to handle. The cat is to give the appearance of osition and easy to handle. The cat is to give the appearance of activity, sound health, and general vigoractivity, sound health, and general vigor

The HeadThe Head25 Points25 Points

SkullSkull 66 MuzzleMuzzle 66 EarsEars 77 Eye ShapeEye Shape 66

TOTALTOTAL 2525

A modified slightly rounded wedge without flat planes. ForeheaA modified slightly rounded wedge without flat planes. Forehead should be good width between earsd should be good width between ears

A modified slightly rounded wedge without flat planes. ForeheaA modified slightly rounded wedge without flat planes. Forehead should be good width between earsd should be good width between ears

ProfilesProfiles

Overshot ChinOvershot Chin

Undershot ChinUndershot Chin

Too Straight & LongToo Straight & Long

Too Much BreakToo Much Break

ProfilesProfiles

Profile lines all showing gentle contour, slight rise from bridgProfile lines all showing gentle contour, slight rise from bridge of nose to forehead, without flat planese of nose to forehead, without flat planes

PreferredLess

Desirable

The SkullThe Skull

A modified, slightly rounded wedgeA modified, slightly rounded wedge No flat planesNo flat planes Gentle contoursGentle contours Slight rise from bridge of nose going towards foreheSlight rise from bridge of nose going towards forehe

adad Nose: neither straight Nor showing strong breakNose: neither straight Nor showing strong break Forehead broad with gentle contoursForehead broad with gentle contours Smooth continuation from forehead back over the toSmooth continuation from forehead back over the to

pp

The MuzzleThe Muzzle

Gentle contoursGentle contours

Chin full, not weak or overshotChin full, not weak or overshot

Rounded rather than flatRounded rather than flat

Not too long or too pointedNot too long or too pointed

No whisker pinchNo whisker pinch

Boys will be boys Boys will be boys ﾉ ﾉ jowls will be seen on adult jowls will be seen on adult malesmales

The EarsThe Ears

Large and alertLarge and alert Moderately pointed: not too round, nor too pointedModerately pointed: not too round, nor too pointed Broad and of good sizeBroad and of good size Well cupped at baseWell cupped at base Set towards back of head, not too near eyes and brSet towards back of head, not too near eyes and br

owow Horizontal tuftsHorizontal tufts Tufts desirable, though rareTufts desirable, though rare

EarsEars

Too HighToo High

Too SmallToo Small

Good SizeGood Size

Too NarrowToo Narrow

PreferredLess

Desirable

EarsEars

Large, alert, broad, cupped at the base, set toward rearLarge, alert, broad, cupped at the base, set toward rear

The EyesThe Eyes

Almond shapedAlmond shaped

Large, brilliant and expressiveLarge, brilliant and expressive

Dark lidskin surrounded by light colored goggleDark lidskin surrounded by light colored goggle

Dark vertical Dark vertical ﾒﾒ pencil strokepencil stroke ﾓ ﾓ above each eyeabove each eye

Dark horizontal line from outside edge towards eaDark horizontal line from outside edge towards earr

Can be gold or greenCan be gold or green

EyesEyes

Good Almond ShapeGood Almond Shape

Too Round on TopToo Round on Top

Too BiasedToo Biased

Preferred LessDesirable

EyesEyes

Almond-shaped, large, brilliant, expressiveAlmond-shaped, large, brilliant, expressive

The BodyThe Body25 Points25 Points

TorsoTorso 1010 Legs & FeetLegs & Feet 1010 TailTail 5 5

TOTALTOTAL 2525

Medium long torso, lithe, graceful. Conformation strikes a meMedium long torso, lithe, graceful. Conformation strikes a medium between cobby and svelte lengthy typesdium between cobby and svelte lengthy types

Medium long torso, lithe, graceful. Conformation strikes a meMedium long torso, lithe, graceful. Conformation strikes a medium between cobby and svelte lengthy typesdium between cobby and svelte lengthy types

The TorsoThe Torso

Medium longMedium long

Lithe, graceful, good muscle tone (not soft)Lithe, graceful, good muscle tone (not soft)

Rounded rib cageRounded rib cage

Back slightly arched as if preparing to springBack slightly arched as if preparing to spring

Flank levelFlank level

Neither cobby nor oriental but striking a mid-point Neither cobby nor oriental but striking a mid-point

Preferred

The TorsoThe Torso

A medium long, lithe and graceful torso, showing A medium long, lithe and graceful torso, showing well-developed muscular strengthwell-developed muscular strength

The Legs and FeetThe Legs and Feet10 Points10 Points

Legs in proportion to the bodyLegs in proportion to the body

Feet oval and compactFeet oval and compact

Nimble and quickNimble and quick

Five toes in front, four toes in backFive toes in front, four toes in back

LegsLegs

Good Leg LengthGood Leg Length Too ShortToo Short

PreferredLess

Desirable

LegsLegs

In proportion to torso. Feet oval and compact. When stanIn proportion to torso. Feet oval and compact. When standing, gives the impression of being nimble and quickding, gives the impression of being nimble and quick

The TailThe Tail

Full brushFull brush

Thick at base, tapering towards tipThick at base, tapering towards tip

Length in balance with bodyLength in balance with body

TailTail

Having a full brush, thick at the base, and slightly Having a full brush, thick at the base, and slightly tapering. Length in balance with torsotapering. Length in balance with torso

The CoatThe Coat20 Points20 Points

TextureTexture 1010 LengthLength 1010

TOTALTOTAL 2020

Very soft to the touch, extremely fine and double coated; medium leVery soft to the touch, extremely fine and double coated; medium length except over the shoulders. Ruff and breeches preferredngth except over the shoulders. Ruff and breeches preferred

Very soft to the touch, extremely fine and double coated; medium leVery soft to the touch, extremely fine and double coated; medium length except over the shoulders. Ruff and breeches preferredngth except over the shoulders. Ruff and breeches preferred

The CoatThe Coat

Soft textureSoft texture

Fine and double coatedFine and double coated

The more dense the betterThe more dense the better

Medium length, usually shorter over shouldersMedium length, usually shorter over shoulders

Full coated appearance, preference to ruff and breeFull coated appearance, preference to ruff and breechesches

CoatCoat

Too LongToo Long PreferredPreferred

ColorColor30 Points30 Points

ColorColor 1010 MarkingsMarkings 5 5 TickingTicking 1010 Eye ColorEye Color 5 5

TOTALTOTAL 3030

ColorsColors

Coat Color:Coat Color: Warm and glowingWarm and glowing

Ticking:Ticking: Distinct and even, with dark colored bands contrasting with liDistinct and even, with dark colored bands contrasting with lighter colored bands on the hair shafts. Undercoat color clear ghter colored bands on the hair shafts. Undercoat color clear and bright to the skin. Deeper color shades desired, however, and bright to the skin. Deeper color shades desired, however, intensity of ticking not be sacrificed for depth of color. Darkintensity of ticking not be sacrificed for depth of color. Darker shading along spine continuing through tip of tail Darker ser shading along spine continuing through tip of tail Darker shading up the hocks, also shading allowed at the point of the hading up the hocks, also shading allowed at the point of the elbow.elbow.

Preference given to cats UNMARKED on the undersides, chePreference given to cats UNMARKED on the undersides, chest, and legs; tail without ringsst, and legs; tail without rings

Preference given to cats UNMARKED on the undersides, chePreference given to cats UNMARKED on the undersides, chest, and legs; tail without ringsst, and legs; tail without rings

Colors (continued)Colors (continued)

Eye Color:Eye Color: Gold or green, the more richness and depth of color tGold or green, the more richness and depth of color the betterhe better

Facial Facial Markings:Markings: Dark lines extending from eyes and brows, cheekboDark lines extending from eyes and brows, cheekbo

ne shading, dots and shading on whisker pads are all ne shading, dots and shading on whisker pads are all desirable enhancements. Eyes accentuated by fine ddesirable enhancements. Eyes accentuated by fine dark line, encircled by light colored areaark line, encircled by light colored area

PreferredPreferred

Even TickingEven Ticking

Dark hocksDark hocks

PenalizePenalize

Heavy broken necklacesHeavy broken necklaces

Leg barringLeg barring

ColorsColors

RRuuddddyy RR

eedd

BBlluuee

FFaawwnn

RuddyRuddy

Ground color burnt-sienna, ticked Ground color burnt-sienna, ticked with various shades of darker browwith various shades of darker brown or black; the extreme outer tip to n or black; the extreme outer tip to be the darkest. Tail tipped with blabe the darkest. Tail tipped with black. The underside and inside of legck. The underside and inside of legs to be a tint to harmonize with the s to be a tint to harmonize with the ground color. Nose leather: tile reground color. Nose leather: tile red. Paw pads: black or dark brown, d. Paw pads: black or dark brown, with black between toes, extending with black between toes, extending slightly beyond the pawsslightly beyond the paws

RRuuddddyy

RedRed

Ground color rich, warm glowing Ground color rich, warm glowing red, ticked with chocolate-brown, red, ticked with chocolate-brown, the extreme outer tip to be darkest. the extreme outer tip to be darkest. Tail tipped with chocolate-brown Tail tipped with chocolate-brown. The underside and inside of legs . The underside and inside of legs to be a tint to harmonize with the to be a tint to harmonize with the ground color. Nose leather: rosy pground color. Nose leather: rosy pink. Paw pads: pink, with chocolaink. Paw pads: pink, with chocolate-brown between toes, extending te-brown between toes, extending slightly beyond the paws.slightly beyond the paws.

RReedd

BlueBlue

Ground color ivory-oatmeal, ticked Ground color ivory-oatmeal, ticked with various shades of slate blue, thwith various shades of slate blue, the extreme outer tip to be the darkest. e extreme outer tip to be the darkest. Tail tipped with slate blue. The un Tail tipped with slate blue. The underside and inside of legs to be a waderside and inside of legs to be a warm blush-beige/apricot to harmonize rm blush-beige/apricot to harmonize with the ground color. Nose leatherwith the ground color. Nose leather: old rose. Paw pads: mauve, with s: old rose. Paw pads: mauve, with slate blue between toes, extending slilate blue between toes, extending slightly beyond the paws.ghtly beyond the paws.

BBlluuee

FawnFawn

Ground color warm rose-beige, ticked Ground color warm rose-beige, ticked with light cocoa-brown, the extreme owith light cocoa-brown, the extreme outer tip to be the darkest. Tail tipped uter tip to be the darkest. Tail tipped with light cocoa-brown. The undersiwith light cocoa-brown. The underside and inside of legs to be a tint to harde and inside of legs to be a tint to harmonize with the ground color. Nose lmonize with the ground color. Nose leather: salmon. Paw pads: pink with eather: salmon. Paw pads: pink with light cocoa-brown between the toes, elight cocoa-brown between the toes, extending slightly beyond the paws.xtending slightly beyond the paws.

FFaawwnn

Somali Color Class Numbers

The following information is for reference purposes only and not an official part of the CFA Show Standard

Ruddy 1380 1381

Red 1382 1383

Blue 1384 1385

Fawn 1386 1387

AOV 1398 1399

Somali allowable outcross breeds: Abyssinian

Part II: On the TablePart II: On the TableHow To Handle a SomaliHow To Handle a Somali

Handling TipsHandling Tips

Somali breeders often train their cats to stretch. It is a beautiful Somali breeders often train their cats to stretch. It is a beautiful way to show off the coat and style of the breed. As you bring theway to show off the coat and style of the breed. As you bring them to the table, stretching them will allow you to feel the muscle tm to the table, stretching them will allow you to feel the muscle tone, weight and condition of the cat.one, weight and condition of the cat.

Handling Tips (continued)Handling Tips (continued)

If you do not feel comfortable carrying a Somali liIf you do not feel comfortable carrying a Somali like this, place one hand under the front of the cat bke this, place one hand under the front of the cat behind the front legs and bring the other hand over tehind the front legs and bring the other hand over the back and under the body, again in front of the bhe back and under the body, again in front of the back legs. This may not result in a stretch, but it asack legs. This may not result in a stretch, but it assures that both the front and the back of the cat are sures that both the front and the back of the cat are supported and not hanging loose.supported and not hanging loose.

In The Ring--Getting The Somali In The Ring--Getting The Somali On To The Judging TableOn To The Judging Table

Bring the Somali out of the judging cage tail firstBring the Somali out of the judging cage tail first

Use firm supportUse firm support

Do not tightly contain a SomaliDo not tightly contain a Somali

Stretch the Somali on the way to the tableStretch the Somali on the way to the table

Never Box a Somali on The TaNever Box a Somali on The Tableble

DoDo ﾕﾕ ss

Once on the judging table, let tOnce on the judging table, let the Somali posehe Somali pose

Run your hand down their backRun your hand down their back, let them stand tall, let them stand tall

Use toys to look for barring, etUse toys to look for barring, etc.c.

DonDon ﾕﾕ tsts

DonDon ﾕﾕ t push a Somali down on tt push a Somali down on to the tableo the table

Some Somalis prefer to keep Some Somalis prefer to keep ﾒﾒ alall four on the floorl four on the floor ﾓﾓ

Never, never crank a SomaliNever, never crank a Somali ﾕﾕ s hs head back!ead back!

Thank YouThank You

It has been an honor for the Somali Breed Council It has been an honor for the Somali Breed Council to present this special breed to you. Somalis have to present this special breed to you. Somalis have come a long way since we were established as a brcome a long way since we were established as a breed separate from our parent breed, the Abyssinianeed separate from our parent breed, the Abyssinian. The work of a breeder is never done; we continu. The work of a breeder is never done; we continue in our quest for the perfect Somali!e in our quest for the perfect Somali!