The breed was once an indispensable accessory of the nobility. Court society was all too happy to adorn itself with the white splendor of this truly aristocratic cat.
Size: Medium;
Weight: cat 2.5-4 kg / 3.5-5 kg;
Average life expectancy: 12 years;
Build: Being long, lean, and slender with firm muscle tone;
Coat colors: White, black, red, diluted, and silver varieties of these colors;
Peculiarities in appearance: Often two different eye colors;
Breed type: semi-longhair breed;
Country of origin: Turkey;
Recognized cat breed by FIFE, WCF, TICA, GCCF;
Typical breed diseases: Ataxia in kittens, hearing loss, deafness, disturbances in the sense of balance, and trembling of the eyes in pure white cats.
The nature of the Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora is an extremely uncomplicated cat. Even with the fate of a novice cat, she copes well. It forgives many mistakes and will never be suspicious or even aggressive towards its owner. On the contrary! – The social cat will always seek the company of its owner and stand by him as a loyal companion. When dealing with dogs or small children, their true simplicity becomes apparent. They are good-natured, lively and outgoing – making them the ideal family cat.
Appearance
Turkish Angora cats are small natural works of art. The medium-sized cat appears powerful, but neither clumsy nor lean. She has a long slender body, tall legs and a bushy tail. Their head is wedge-shaped, with oval, slightly raised and often different colored eyes. The ears of the Turkish Angora are large and easy to see. At their ends are fine brushes that make the cat appear even more elegant. Their fur is very supple and shiny. It’s almost as if her hair is beginning to blow in the hallway. All of this makes them a very graceful and graceful cat breed, very similar in beauty to a ballerina.
Colors and coat markings
In earlier times, when she was still walking through the baroque gardens, she was only recognized in her pure white splendor. Today it is bred and recognized in a wide variety of color varieties. The variety of colors and markings extends from white, black and red to piebald and tabby patterns. The only non-recognized colors are chocolate, fawn, lilac and point markings.
History and origin
The Turkish Angora is one of the oldest cat breeds in the world and is believed to be the ancestor of all long-haired cats. Her name derives from the city of Ankara, formerly known as Angora. There is evidence that the Turkish Angora cat was known as a distinct breed as early as the 15th century. It owes its spread in western Europe to Ottoman sultans, who brought it as a gift to the English and French courts. Their mysterious eyes and their magnificent coat made them a “must-have” of the nobility. As a status symbol, she is said to have walked the rooms and gardens of Marie Antoinette, among other things. Despite their impressive track record, their population declined rapidly with the advent of the Persian cat. Only recently has she found her way back to her former glory. All over the world, more and more breeders and lovers are interested in the elegant semi-longhair cat.
Notes on keeping the Turkish Angora
The sociable cat loves the presence of its caregivers. The hustle and bustle cannot disturb you. Whether in a large family or with a cozy senior couple – she will quickly establish herself as a loyal family member.
If you spend a lot of time working, you should definitely put a conspecific at your side. Because if humans are not available for more than 4 hours a day, a cat will quickly become bored or feel lonely. This can then result in psychological problems or uncleanliness. So, cats left alone can develop behavioral problems that are difficult to reverse.
Turkish Angora cats are also excellent climbers. Therefore, sufficient scratching furniture and climbing facilities should be available. Resting places should not be missing either.
A Turkish Angora cat is very happy about regular outdoor access because then it can pursue its interests and experience adventures in the great outdoors.
Health
Like many natural breeds, the breed is one of the most robust cats with the strongest immune system. However, she is not free from diseases either. Some cats suffer from an inherited disorder of movement coordination (ataxia). Kittens suffering from this inherited condition are born sick and will never walk and consequently never be able to live appropriately. Adult cats do not develop ataxia. Like all white cats, pure white Turkish Angora cats can suffer from hearing loss, deafness, impaired balance, and tremors of the eyes.
