Accepted colours for Somalis vary somewhat from state to state, and between associations. However all states accept the 4 eumelanistic colours of tawny (ruddy or usual), cinnamon (sorrel), blue and fawn. These colours are also found in the silver variety, where the base coat colour is replaced with sparkling white, leaving only the ticking and facial markings. In some states chocolate and chocolate silver are available. Below are extracts from the CCCA breed standard, along with some examples of the colours.

(SDGCH Babushka’s Cerefina Imp Dnk, Tawny Female)

TAWNY (RUDDY))

Coat: Glowing, warm, rich tawny brown, with a paler orange-brown undercoat clear to the roots, ticked with black/dark brown. Deeper shades preferred.

Belly and inside of forelegs: Tint to harmonise with the main body colour. Preference given to

Clear, unmarked orange-brown.

Tail: Tipped with black.

Nose leather: Brick red.

Paw pads: Black or brown.

BLUE

Coat: Soft blue, with an oatmeal undercoat clear to the roots, ticked with deeper blue.

Belly and inside of forelegs: Tint to harmonise with the main body colour. Preference given to Clear, unmarked, warm oatmeal with pinkish tone.

Tail: Tipped with deeper blue.

Nose leather: Mauve-pink rimmed with blue.

Paw pads: Mauve-blue.

Double Grand Champion Maison Dor Egyptian Sapphire (photo C.Dumas)

CINNAMON (SORREL)

Coat: Glowing, warm, rich cinnamon-red, with a paler cinnamon-apricot undercoat clear to the roots, ticked with bright tan brown. Deeper shades preferred.

Belly and inside of forelegs:Tint to harmonise with the main body colour. Preference given to Clear, unmarked deep apricot.

Tail: Tipped with bright tan brown.

Nose leather: Rose pink.

Paw pads: Pink.

Katjessalie Savannah (cinnamon Somali female, photo Josephine)

FAWN

Coat: Warm rose beige, with a pale pinkish buff undercoat clear to the roots, ticked with light cocoa brown.

Belly and inside of forelegs: Tint to harmonise with the main body colour. Preference given to unmarked blush beige.

Tail: Tipped with light cocoa brown.

Nose leather: Rose beige.

Paw pads: Rose beige.

(Ikati Velvet Goldmine, fawn Somali)

CHOCOLATE

Coat: Rich chocolate brown, with a paler chocolate undercoat clear to the roots, ticked with deep chocolate brown. Deeper shades preferred.

Belly and inside of forelegs: Tint to harmonise with the main body colour. Preference given to

clear, unmarked paler chocolate.

Tail: Tipped with deep chocolate brown.

Nose leather: Chocolate-pink.

Paw pads: Chocolate-pink.

Gr Ch Obanya Som Café au Lait, Chocolate Somali. Photo Sandra Weaver-Hall

LILAC

Coat: Pale dusty lilac, with a pale oatmeal undercoat clear to the roots, ticked with deeper lilac.

Belly and inside of forelegs: Tint to harmonise with the main body colour. Preference given to

clear, unmarked warm oatmeal.

Tail: Tipped with deeper lilac.

Nose leather: Lilac-pink.

Paw pads: Lilac-pink.

BLACK SILVER

Coat: Sparkling white, with a white undercoat clear to the roots, ticked with black

Belly and inside of forelegs: Sparkling white. Preference given to clear, unmarked white.

Tail: Tipped with black.

Nose leather: Black or brick-red.

Paw pads: Black or brown.

(Ch & ACT Gr Ch Vivace Crazy Little Thing, photo L.Graham)

CINNAMON (SORREL) SILVER

Coat: Sparkling white, with a white undercoat clear to the roots, ticked with bright tan brown.

Belly and inside of forelegs: Sparkling white. Preference given to clear, unmarked white.

Tail: Tipped with bright tan brown.

Nose leather: Pink.

Paw pads: Pink.

Cinnamon-silver kitten (Vivace Sunshine Superman)

BLUE SILVER

Coat: Sparkling white, with a white undercoat clear to the roots, ticked with blue.

Belly and inside of forelegs: Sparkling white. Preference given to clear, unmarked white.

Tail: Tipped with blue.

Nose leather: Blue or mauve-pink.

Paw pads: Mauve-blue.

Glenmaulyn Silken Lady (Photo M.Campbell)

FAWN SILVER

Coat: Sparkling white, with a white undercoat, ticked with light cocoa brown.

Belly and inside of forelegs: Sparkling white. Preference given to clear, unmarked white.

Tail: Tipped with cocoa brown.

Nose leather: Rose-beige.

Paw pads: Rose-beige.

CHOCOLATE SILVER

Coat: Sparkling white, with a white undercoat clear to the roots, ticked with deep chocolate brown.

Belly and inside of forelegs: Sparkling white. Preference given to clear, unmarked white.

Tail: Tipped with deep chocolate brown.

Nose leather: Chocolate-pink.

Paw pads: Deep pink.

LILAC SILVER

Coat: Sparkling white, with a white undercoat, ticked with dusty lilac.

Belly and inside of forelegs: Sparkling white. Preference given to clear, unmarked white.

Tail: Tipped with dusty lilac.

Nose leather: Lilac-pink.

Paw pads: Lilac-pink.

To see even more colours, visit the following sites. The UK has the largest number of colours accepted, including torties, red and cream.

Teach - In Somali and Aby seminar
Dutch Website showing all Somali and Aby colours

English colour gallery

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