Turkish Angora

Weight: 5 - 10 pounds
Life span: 15 - 20 years
CFA rank: 27

Breed History | Background:

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 16^th 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.

Cat Look:

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.

Behavioral 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.

Grooming:

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:

Serve high quality commercial food to keep its coat healthy and reduce shedding.

Medical conditions seen:

Fun Facts:

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.”

Glossary