 |
Sokoké |
|
TranslationFrancis Vandersteen |
||
OriginThe Sokoké is a cat breed originally from Kenya. |
| This medium-sized cat is characterized by its brown marble tabby shorthair coat. |
A brief historical overview |
| The Sokoké's ancestral name is Khadzonzos, meaning “like bark”. This name was given by a local tribe called Giriama, who have been around these cats for a very long time. Indeed, the marbled coat of these cats is similar to the bark of a tree. It's possible that this breed has existed in Kenya for several centuries, but it's difficult to date its exact origins. DNA tests have been carried out to look for wild cat genes, but they were negative. Westerners discovered the breed on the Kenyan coast, in the Arabuko-Sokoké forest. This was in 1978, and Jeni Slater was the first to come into contact with this new breed. A friend by the name of Gloria Moeldrop brought some back with her to Denmark to breed. Jeni Slater feared for the breed's survival without human intervention. In 1984, they appeared in shows for the first time, and in 1990, Gloria Moeldrop brought in other cats to consolidate the breed. In 1993, FIFé first recognized the breed, under the simplified name of Sokoké (the name of the forest from which it originates). In 2003, it was TICA's turn to include Sokoké as a “new breed”. Today, the breed remains rare, but is bred in countries other than Denmark: the United States, Canada and Norway. |
Behavior / characteristics |
| The Sokoké is described as a lively, playful cat, fond of climbing and swimming. It is said to be relatively independent, but sociable with other cats and pets. He would adapt well to life in an apartment if given enough space and physical activity. However, these traits are entirely individual and depend above all on the history of each cat. |
Head |
||
Cranial region |
||
Head |
The head forms a rounded triangle and is relatively small in relation to the body. | |
Skull |
The skull is almost flat. | |
Facial region |
||
Nose |
Viewed from the side, a slight indentation can be seen at the birth of the nose, which is straight and of medium length. | |
Cheeks |
Cheekbones are carried high and prominent. | |
Eyes |
Almond-shaped, large and set wide apart. The two authorized colors are green and amber. | |
Ears |
Medium-sized, with a broad base and rounded tip. Plumes at the tips are highly appreciated. | |
Body |
||
Generality |
The Sokoké is a medium-sized cat with an elegant appearance. Its body is slender yet muscular, with a prominent chest. | |
Tail |
| Medium to long, fairly thick at the base, tapering gradually to the tip. The tail should always be black at the tip. |
Limbs |
| High on legs, robustly boned, the hind legs have a particular curvature, characteristic of the breed. | ||
Forequarters |
Hindquarters |
Feet |
| Oval feet. |
Coat |
||
Coat and texture |
The coat is very short, lying close to the body and without undercoat. Very glossy. The only coat pattern permitted is brown marble tabby, a kind of blotched tabby that is a little blurred and elongated, with solid black parts containing ticked tabby hairs. | |
English (United Kingdom) 
Comments