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The Abyssinian is one of the oldest cat breeds and one of the “natural breeds” that developed without the deliberate selective breeding that has created over 30 more breeds of cat. Unlike dogs, where breed traits were usually selected for a function, cats have been bred for aesthetic qualities, which is why breeds largely differ based on coat color, length, and texture, rather than form, size, and structure.
The Abyssinian is easily recognized for their delicate, wedge-shaped heads, compact muscular bodies, and beautiful ticked coats. You might be wondering if there is such a thing as a black Abyssinian cat. Technically, yes, it is possible to get an Abyssinian with a pure black coat, but they are very rare, and this coat color is not recognized in the breed standard.
Read on to find out more.
The Genetics of Cat Coat Colors
Almost all feline coat colors and patterns are controlled by variations on the KIT gene. The immeasurable amount of different colors and patterns we see all come from five basic colors: black, chocolate, cinnamon, orange, and white.
- Black, chocolate, and cinnamon are all found in a single location on the KIT gene (the B locus).
- The color orange is the only coat pigmentation gene not located on the KIT gene, and it is only found on the female x-chromosome.
- These colors may be diluted to create gray/blue, lilac, fawn, and cream.
- White is actually the absence of color, caused by a genetic variation that blocks pigment.
Different mutations will then determine patterns like color points, patches, spots, and stripes. One such mutation is called the agouti gene, also referred to as the tabby gene. The dominant form of this gene allows a yellow pigment to be expressed as stripes in black fur, which is where tabby markings come from. Further mutations determine the overall patterning of this fur, resulting in variations like the classic, mackerel, spots, and swirls. The classic ticked coat of the Abyssinian is also a variant of the agouti gene and is the main distinguishing feature of the breed.
If the recessive form (allele) of the agouti gene is inherited from both parents, this will cancel out the yellow pigment, resulting in a completely black cat, and this is how a black Abyssinian cat comes about. They are technically a tabby in disguise!
Why Aren’t Black Abyssinians Recognized?
The Abyssinian breed standard set out by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) and others recognizes 6 main colors and 6 silver or smoke variations, which are all ticked variations of those from the B locus mentioned above:
| B locus color | Tabby (ticked) Division | Silver/Smoke Division |
| Black | Ruddy | Black-silver |
| Chocolate | Chocolate | Chocolate-silver |
| Cinnamon | Sorrel | Silver-sorrel |
| Blue | Blue | Blue-silver |
| Lilac | Lilac | Lilac-silver |
| Fawn | Fawn | Fawn-silver |
All these colors contain at least one copy of the dominant agouti allele (A/A or A/a). If both alleles are the recessive version (a/a), the fur will be solid black. Although technically and genetically, these black cats are Abyssinians, the absence of the ticked patterning means they are not recognized by breed associations. But that only matters if you are planning to breed Abyssinian cats or enter them in pedigree cat shows!
Are Black Abyssinian Cats Really Abyssinians?
Yes! Despite their non-standard appearance, the black variety is, at the genetic level, an Abyssinian. While there are no guarantees about any individual cat’s health and temperament based solely on their breed, the classic Abyssinian physical, health, and behavioral features will apply, ticked fur or not.
Can I Breed My Black Abyssinian?
There are a couple of reasons why we would advise against breeding these cats.
- There are already many registered Abyssinian breeders, and contributing to the mounting feline population is not something we recommend.
- If you want to breed more black Abyssinians, you would need to either find another black Abyssinian or use a ticked coat in the hope that a double recessive kitten results from the mating. Although the black Abyssinian is not known to have any specific health conditions related to their color, deliberately selecting and breeding from cats with rare and recessive genes increases the risks of unknowingly selecting other mutations that may produce unhealthy kittens down the line because you are using a smaller gene pool. This is how most breed-related illnesses develop.
Could My Black Cat Be An Abyssinian?
If you have a black cat at home but don’t know where it originally came from, you might be wondering if it’s possible that you have a secret Abyssinian! Being a rare color variation, the odds are against this, but it’s not impossible. Key traits to look for are their compact bodies, large, wide-set ears, green or hazel eyes, and loads of energy! If your black cat shares the physical and behavioral traits of the Abyssinian, you could submit a DNA test to satisfy your curiosity!
Final Thoughts
Black Abyssinian cats do exist, but because of the combination of genes needed to create this coat color, they are very rare. Additionally, because the solid black coat is inconsistent with the ticked coat of the breed standard, they are not recognized as a color variation in cat breed associations and therefore are undesirable to Abyssinian breeders.
If you have managed to find the ‘unicorn’ that is the black Abyssinian, do not fret. Unless your heart is set on breeding your cat or showing them at pedigree shows, your pet is going to be just as energetic, mischievous, and fun-loving as their tabby-coated relatives.
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Featured Image Credit: Dimdok, Shutterstock
