About the Turkish Angora Cat

The Turkish Angora cat takes its name from the city of Angora, Turkey, now renamed Ankara. European travellers first wrote about the elegant cats in the 1400s and brought them back to Europe. Popular in the Renaissance, they fell out of favor for other breeds like the Persian but are now a popular longhaired breed in Europe, the Americas and Asia.

History in America

The first Turkish Angoras came to America in 1962, according to "ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats." They began to appear in American cat shows in the 1970s.

Color

Turkish Angoras are appear in many eye and coat colors and patterns, but preference is given to all-white cats. This is thought to be the original color of the breed.

Fur

Though Turkish Angoras are considered a long-haired breed of cat, their fur is not as long nor as thick as a Persian's and is less inclined to tangle. The longest part of the fur is located on the tail, hind legs and around the neck.

Size

Turkish Angoras only average about 10 pounds, but some females have been known to be as light as 6 pounds. Males are generally larger than females.

Temperament

Their lively temperament and active natures make them seem much larger than they are. They are known for their intelligence and friendliness with people. Many like to swim.

References

• ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats; James R. Richards, DVM; 1999
• Cat Fancier's Association Breed Profile: Turkish Angora
• Petfinder: Turkish Angora Cats

Resources

• The Turkish Angora Fanciers Interantional (TAFI)
• Turkish Angora Cat Rescue
• The Turkish Angora at a Glance