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General: The overall impression of the ideal Somali is that of a well proportioned, medium to large cat, firm, muscular development, lithe, showing an alert, lively interest in all of its surroundings with an even disposition and easy to handle.
Head:
Shape: A modified, slightly rounded wedge without flat planes; the brow, cheek and profile lines all showing a gentle contour; a slight rise from the bridge of the nose to the forehead, which should be of good size, with width between the ears, flowing into the arched neck without a break. Muzzle: The muzzle shall follow gentle contours in conformity with the skull as viewed from the front profile. The muzzle shall not be sharply pointed and there shall be no evidence of snippiness, foxiness or whisker pinch. Chin shall be full, neither undershot or overshot, having a rounded appearance. Ears: Large, alert and moderately pointed, broad and cupped at base. Ear set on a line toward the rear of the skull. The inner ear shall have horizontal tufts that reach nearly to the other side of the ear; tufts desirable. Eyes: Shape - Almond shaped, large, brilliant and expressive. Skull aperture neither round or oriental. Eyes accented by dark lid skin, encircled by light colored area. Above each eye a short dark vertical pencil stroke with a dark pencil line continuing from the upper lid toward the ear.
Color – Gold or green, the more richness and depth of color the better.
Body and Tail:
Body: Medium long, light and graceful, showing well developed muscular strength. Rib cage is rounded. Back is slightly arched giving the appearance of a cat about to spring. Flank level without a tuck-up. Conformation strikes a medium between extremes of cobby and svelte lengthy types. Legs: In proportion to torso. Feet: Oval and compact. When standing the Somali gives the impression of being nimble and quick. Toes, five in front and four behind. Tail: Having a full brush, thick at the base and slightly tapering. Length in balance with torso.
Coat:
Very soft to the touch, extremely fine textured and double coated. The more dense the coat, the better.
Color:
Ruddy - Overall impression is of an orange-brown or ruddy color tipped with black. Color has radiant or glowing quality. Darker shading along spine allowed. Underside of body and inside of legs and chest to be an even ruddy tone harmonizing with top coat; without ticking, barring, necklaces or belly marks. Nose leather tile red; paw pads black or dark brown, with black between toes and extending upward on rear legs. Toe tufts on front and rear feet black or dark brown. White or off-white on upper throat, lips and nostrils only. Tail continuing the dark spine line, ending at black at the tip - complete absence of rings on tail. Preference given to unmarked ruddy color. Ears tipped with black or dark brown. Ticking begins at skin with ruddy tone, alternating with black.
Red - Warm, glowing red, ticked with chocolate-brown. Deeper shades of red preferred. Ears and tail tipped with chocolate-brown. Pad pads pink, with chocolate-brown between toes extending slightly beyond paws. Nose leather rosy pink. Ticking begins at skin with red tone alternating with chocolate-brown.
Blue - Warm, rosy beige, ticked with two or three bands of soft blue-gray to steel blue, the extreme outer tip to be the darkest with a fresh mushroom to rosy beige color to the skin. Paw pads; mauve with steel blue between the toes and extending slightly beyond paws. Nose leather; Dusty Rose.
Fawn - A warm dusty cream, ticked with two or three bands of lilac fawn, the extreme outer tips to the darkest with a pale cream to the skin. Paw pads; Dusty pink with lilac fawn between the toes and extending slightly beyond the paws. Nose Leather; Dusty Pink.
Condition:
The cat to give the appearance of activity, sound health and general vigor.
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