Turkish Angora

The Turkish Angora is the oldest long-haired breed in the world. It is therefore strange to observe that nowadays all breeds which descend from the Turkish Angora (the Persian, the Maine Coon and the Norwegian Wildcat for example) are more popular than the Turkish Angora.

History
The Turkish Angora was very beloved at the French court around 1700 and many noble considered it an honor to possess such a cat. Merchants and crusaders had taken these cats from Turkey. European colonists took their own European cats to the USA and Canada many years later. The Turkish Angora was, because of the Vikings, already present. Out of this mix between European housecats, native cats and the Turkish Angora the Maine Coon came into being in the American state Maine Coon. Around the turn of the century people had started, out of ignorance, to cross

the Turkish Angora with the larger and rougher built Afghan cat. That is how the Persian cat came into being. This cat breed was very popular which caused that people kind of forgot the Turkish Angora which was about to die out. The Turkish government has given a number of Zoos the order to develop a breeding program in order to avoid that the white Turkish Angora would die out. Only in the beginning of the sixties the interest for the Turkish Angora, especially in the USA, increased.

Due to the position of the white Turkish Angora, it became almost impossible to import this cat. But finally people succeeded to, in a legal manner, import a couple of couples to the USA. Through shows in the USA the Turkish Angora became more popular and through import from the USA and later on through direct import from Turkey this breeds made his comeback in the West European countries.

With a color
In the beginning the breeders only bred with the white Turkish Angora. Colored animals were considered a failure. Fortunately, people realized that the colored animals are Turkish Angora’s indeed, which is why all natural colors have been acknowledged nowadays. For example: black, blue, red, cream and tortoise and the uniform or various tabby patterns. Silver is also possible and everything can be with or without white. The Van-pattern and Harlequin become more familiar in the meantime. Lilac and chocolate are absolutely no natural colors, in spite of what some books might mention.
These colors occur with the Angora cat. This is a breed created in England because the import of other cats was hardly possible because of the stringent legal conditions (for example 6 months quarantine). There is a huge difference between the Angora cat and the Turkish angora.

Elegant appearance
The Turkish Angora is an elegant, eastern built half-long-haired cat. A silky fur, which especially strikes with the colored animals, a pant and a longer fur on the body with collar. The adult female cats weigh about 3 kg, the tomcats 5-6 kg. They remain playful and curious. A real cuddle cat. Usually, the Turkish Angora will pick a favorite and he or she will notice this. He or she will be given attentions, they nibble on your ear or toes, and they sit on your shoulder and don’t want to leave this shoulder. They help you reading your paper and they might also join you when you take a bath or shower. They love to chat but don’t nag. They can get along with other cat breeds and usually with dogs as well.    
Healthy breed
The Turkish Angora is a healthy breed which is very people-oriented. It isn’t just a cat which wants to be beautiful; it is an intelligent and playful cat. A cat which, if he wants attention, will claim this, willingly or unwillingly. And he will certainly get the attention.

Pictures & breedinformation by: Turkish Angora Cattery "Mücevher"