The Easy-To-Train Cat Breed That Acts Just Like A Dog (And Won't Leave You Alone)

Most animal lovers know that if you want an affectionate companion who will love you unconditionally and follow you around the house always looking for your attention, a dog is the way to go. But if you like your independence and you want an animal who also enjoys some alone time, a cat is the perfect pet. Of course, there are certain dog breeds who are known for more aloof, cat-like behavior (some include the shiba inu, chow chow, and basenji). And believe it or not, there are also some cats who tend to be as goofy, trainable, and cuddly as dogs.

One of those breeds is the Abyssinian, also known as the Aby, a gorgeous, slender, medium-sized breed of unknown origin. Chief among Abyssinian cat breed characteristics is their extreme loyalty to their people, typically a more dog-like trait. Like many other cats, they're known to be very intelligent and independent. But unlike most other felines, Abyssinians are eager to please, curious, and enjoy attention, which makes them easy to train.

They respond well to positive reinforcement, love to play games with their people, and are even well-suited to learning how to walk on a leash with a harness. The Aby is definitely one of the most dog-like cats you'll come across.

For someone who loves the challenge of figuring out how to get a cat to like them, the Aby might be a great choice. A condition of the Abyssinians' traditional cat-like independence is that they may decide at any time that they want to cuddle up with you, and you have very little say in the matter. Many compare Abyssinian cats to dogs because they often want to interact with people and won't stop hounding you (notably, a word that evokes dogs!) until they get your attention. Yes, really!

Like dogs, your Abyssinian will often follow you around the house, wanting to be involved in whatever you're doing. This is not a cat breed that enjoys being left alone at home for long stretches, so they might require a pet parent with a different lifestyle from the typical cat owner.

However, unlike many dogs, Abyssinians don't enjoy being picked up, so it's important to let them come to you, first. Make sure children are taught not to reach for the cat, even if they seem cuddly and affectionate. Abyssinians want your attention, yes, but they want it on their own terms, like a typical cat. For some pet owners, the Abyssinian could provide the best of both animal worlds.

Cats aren't necessarily known as goofy pets, like many dogs are. But Abyssinians are an exception to the rule. These jokesters are known as the "clowns of the cat kingdom" because they love to perform tricks that their humans teach them, impress with feats of agility, and perch on their people's shoulders. They are easily bored, so they need lots of stimulation, toys, and playtime.

There are many fascinating facts about Abyssinian cats, including that they will do things like flip your light switches, open cabinets, and push fragile objects off their surfaces. So if you have an Abyssinian, remember that it's probably your trickster cat, not a ghost messing with your home! Abyssinians won't be for everybody, but if you're a cat and dog lover who is up for a feisty, affectionate, trainable animal who will give you lots of love and needs lots of exercise and interaction — but only when they want it — it might be the right breed for you.