Turkish Angora Cats

Common Name(s)
  Turkish Angora.

Background
  The Turkish Angora originates from Western Turkey, near Ankara, formally named Angora, the city this breed was named after. These cats are believed to be descendents of longhair cats brought to Europe by the Vikings in the 10th century. By the 1900's, this breed was used in Persian breeding programs. The Persian became widely popular, while the Turkish Angora almost vanished. In the 1950's, a few of the remaining Turkish Angoras were imported to the United States from the Ankara Zoo, and new breeding programs were begun. This white version of this breed was first registered by the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) (the leading American cat breed organization) in 1968, and colored varieties were accepted ten years later in 1978. The Turkish Angora is currently not recognized by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) (the leading British cat breed organization), but is recognized by other associations in Europe.

Description
  The Turkish Angora is a medium-sized, finely boned breed. It has a long, slender torso and neck. The head is small to medium-sized and tapers toward the chin. The ears are large, pointed, and tufted, and the eyes are large and almond-shaped. The tail is long and tapering. This breed ranges from 6 to 11 pounds.
  The Turkish Angora's coat is medium-long in length, fine, and silky. It develops a thick coat in the winter, but sheds it in the summer, causing it to look like a short haired breed. Turkish Angoras were originally only accepted in competition if they were white with blue eyes, but they are now accepted in a variety of colors. They are accepted in many colors, excluding the color patterns that indicate hybridization, which are chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, color point, or Burmese color patterns.

Care and Feeding
  This breed requires no special diet. It prefers meat, but is not finicky.

Housing Your Cat
  This breed can live in an apartment or house. It would enjoy a yard, but does not require one. It should be provided with toys and a scratching post indoors.

Maintenance
  Unlike most long hair breeds, the Turkish Angora only needs weekly brushing and combing.

Social Behaviors
  This is a social breed that gets along with people and other animals, including dogs. It is a good cat for families and couples.

Activities
  This is an active breed that enjoys playing. It should be provided with toys and room to run. Some sources say Turkish Angoras enjoy water, while others say they don't, suggesting that some individuals enjoy it, while others do not.

Breeding/Reproduction
  Turkish Angora kittens become active and begin playing early, but they do not develop the full angora coat until age two.

Common Health Problems
  This is a strong, healthy breed, save one genetic tendency. White Turkish Angoras with blue eyes are often deaf, and those with one blue eye are often deaf on the side with the blue eye. However, this tendency related to the coat and eye color of the cat is found in most breeds; not only the Turkish Angora.

Availability
  This is a rare breed, but breeders can be located on the internet. Prices range from $150 for a pet quality adult to $400 for a pet quality kitten to $700 for a show quality kitten to over $1000 for a show quality white kitten with blue eyes and no hearing problems.

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Latest Comments
Snowdrop came to us as a young cat no more than 6 months old. She turned up on our doorstep. We took her to the local vets and posted signs around our village where she could be found. No one ever claimed Snowdrop and she has been with us for 4 years. During this time she amazed us with her personality and antics - opening lever handles on doors and even partly bathing with my wife!! Unfortumately she was run over and killed last week. We are all devastated by this loss especially my younger son, Tom and Liz my wife. She was a most loyal and loving companion. We have lost one of the family. Chris Elford 2008-08-26
We rescued "Kati" from a school yard where she had been dumped as a tiny kitten. In a matter of days, she had taken over our house and our hearts, and has been bullying us for 7 years now. When we ran across the Turkish Angora breed, we recognized her immediately: eyes (bright blue), length and texture of fur, personality. There is no doubt that she belongs to that breed. Being white and adventurous, she would get very dirty as a kitten and so became accustomed to being bathed at an early age and is brushed often also. She has brought a great deal of joy to our lives. Vicki in Caracas, Venezuela 2008-08-03
My Turk is about 3 years old and she is the sweetest can ever. She had bright emerald eyes which attracted us to her in the humane society. She is the most cuddly, sweet cat I've ever had. If we don't give her attention when we get home, she gets anxious. I would never give up my Lizzie for anything. I would definitely get another of this breed. Kahlanlocknar 2008-05-14
I have a black turkish angora. He weighs about 20 lbs. He is the friendliest cat I ever had. He survived Hurricane Katrina and 5 ft. of water with our other persian. We adopted him from a humane society when he was about 2 years old. He crawls in my arms every night like a baby. Of course, he has to sleep with me too. I wouldn't trade him for anything. Gina Steber 2008-03-31
Comments Dr Jungle REALLY Likes to Hear!
nice cats eg erica guy 2008-02-05

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