Turkish Angora
The Turkish Angora is one of the oldest longhaired cat breeds in the world — graceful, elegant and athletic with a silky, single-layered coat. They are one of the most active and playful of all longhaired breeds. Turkish Angoras are extremely people-oriented, love to be the centre of attention and have been known to manage their households through sheer force of personality.
About
The Turkish Angora is one of the oldest longhaired cat breeds in the world — graceful, elegant and athletic with a silky, single-layered coat. They are one of the most active and playful of all longhaired breeds. Turkish Angoras are extremely people-oriented, love to be the centre of attention and have been known to manage their households through sheer force of personality.
History
The Turkish Angora has been documented in Turkey since the 15th century and was highly prized at the Ottoman court. They were the first longhaired cats to arrive in Europe, brought by French and Italian traders in the 16th century. They were used in breeding programmes for Persians, which nearly led to their extinction. The Turkish government established a breeding programme at Ankara Zoo to preserve the breed in the early 20th century.
Care & Health
Blue-eyed and odd-eyed white cats may be deaf — test kittens before purchase. Screen for HCM.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Turkey
- Life Span
- 12–18 years
- Size
- medium
- Hair Shed
- moderate
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Good with Kids
- medium
- Colours
- White is the traditional and most prized colour. However, all colours and patterns are now accepted in most registries except for chocolate, lavender/lilac and colourpoint.
Health Considerations
Grooming
Surprisingly easy to maintain despite the long coat — it has a single layer and does not mat easily. Weekly brushing is sufficient.
Related Resources
Similar Breeds
Balinese
Often compared to a Siamese cat, the Balinese is a long-haired breed with a graceful appearance. With large perky ears and long elegant lines, this breed is loved for its distinct features — blue eyes, a slender body and a luscious plumed tail. They are vocal, affectionate and highly intelligent.
Persian Longhair
The Persian is the quintessential glamour cat — a long, flowing coat, flat face, big round eyes and a supremely docile temperament. They are calm, quiet and aristocratic, preferring to drape themselves elegantly across furniture rather than engage in acrobatics. Persians are indoor-only cats who thrive in a quiet, stable home environment.
Siberian Forest Cat
The Siberian is a magnificent, semi-long-haired cat with a triple-layered, weather-resistant coat and an athletic, powerful build. They are affectionate and dog-like in personality — following their owners around, greeting guests and playing fetch. Interestingly, Siberians produce lower levels of the Fel d 1 protein, making them a better option for mild allergy sufferers than most breeds.