Due to inheriting 2 copies of the recessive gene for long hair, they have a characteristic luscious coat, unlike their cousin the Abyssinian.

In the 1940s, a British breeder named Janet Robertson exported some Abyssinian kittens to Australia, New Zealand and North America.

[1] An American Abyssinian breeder Evelyn Mague also received longhairs from her cats, which she named "Somalis".

[1] Don Richings, another Canadian breeder, used kittens from McGill, and began to work with Mague.

The first Somali recognized as such by a fancier organization was Mayling Tutsuta, one of McGill's cats.

[1] Mague also founded the Somali Cat Club of America, which included members from Canada as well.

Their appearance with sleek bodies, long tails, and large pointed ears have earned them the nickname of "Fox Cat."

[5][6] Within the GCCF, short haired Somalis are recognised separately from Abyssinian cats.