Turkish Angora
Turkish Angora History
- This natural breed is believed to have originated with the Tartars in the Ankara region of central Turkey centuries ago.
- Turkish sultans bestowed these prized cats as gifts to European nobility in the 16th century.
- Once feared to be extinct, the Turkish Angora is making a welcomed comeback. Since 1917, Ankara Zoo officials have maintained a breeding program to protect and preserve this breed.
- The first Turkish Angora arrived in the United States in 1963.
- The Cat Fanciers Association granted championship status to the Turkish Angora breed in 1972.
Turkish Angora Behavior Concerns
- Graceful, elegant and totally devoted to their owners.
- Turkish Angoras are exceptionally intelligent and athletic and welcome challenges. They are curious and thrive on learning commands and tricks.
- This breed especially enjoys riding around on people's shoulders or surveying the scene from high perches, like the top of the refrigerator or doors.
- They happily welcome the companionship of other pets, including dogs.
- Extremely extroverted, this breed thrives on acting as "host" of parties and boldly goes up to greet newcomers. However, they can be quick-tempered.
Look of Turkish Angoras
- This breed displays a silky, medium-length coat that comes in a variety of colors, including lavender and chocolate. It has no undercoat.
- Although similar in looks to its cousin, the Turkish Van, the Turkish Angora is smaller in build and lacks the Van's distinctive markings around the eyes.
- The Angora's almond-shaped eyes can be blue, green, amber or even odd-eyed (one blue and one amber).
- A picture of elegance, the Turkish Angora has a slender build, fine-boned legs and silky tail plume that resembles a fox tail.
Grooming Turkish Angora Cats
- Maintain the Turkish Angora coat by brushing once or twice a week with a fine-toothed comb or slicker brush to remove excess hair and prevent mats.
- During the summer, brush more often to prevent hairballs.
Suggested Nutritional Needs for Turkish Angora
- Serve high quality commercial food to keep its coat healthy and reduce shedding.
Fun Facts of Turkish Angoras
- The word Angora in this breed's name specifies pedigreed cats from Turkish Angora only - and does not describe any longhaired cat.
- Affectionately nicknamed the "Border Collies of the Cat World."
