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Ankara Breed Description

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Breed Organization

TICA Executive Office

The Cat Fanciers' Association

Native Country
Turkey

Other Names
Turkish Angora, Turks

Coat Length
Longhair

Life Expectancy
No Information Available

General Description

Turkish Angora cats have a silky tail, medium-long length coat, no undercoat and a balanced body type. Though known for a shimmery white coat, Turkish angora cats can have one of more than twenty colors including black, "blue," and reddish fur. They come in tabby and tabby-white, along with smoke varieties, and are in every color other than those that indicate hybridization (cross breeding), such as pointed, chocolate, lavender, and cinnamon. Eyes may be blue, green, amber, yellow, or odd-eyed (e.g., one blue and one amber or green). Ears are pointed, large and wide-set. The eyes are almond shaped and the profile forms two straight planes. The plumed tail is often carried upright, perpendicular to the back.


Breed Standard

Head: Small to medium in size, tapering toward the chin. Moderately flat skull. Allowance for jowls in mature males. Barely rounded, fairly long muzzle. No whisker break. Nose is straight, medium in length, and without break. Firm, gently rounded chin forms a perpendicular line with the nose.
Eyes: Large, almond shaped, and set at a slight angle. All colors, in harmony with coat color, allowed.
Neck: Moderately long. Slim and graceful.
Body: Long, lithe, and muscular. Narrow chest. Shoulders and rump of same width. Rump slightly higher than shoulders. Fine in bone.
Paw: Long and slender. Hind legs longer than front. Small, oval paws; round. Tufts between toes.
Tail: Long; length in proportion to body.
Coat: Medium long. Fine, silky texture. Minimal undercoat. Longer at ruff, on back of legs, and on the belly where the coat is slightly wavy. The ruff is not fully developed until one year of age. All colors are recognized with any amount of white, except chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, and colorpoint or Burmese color patterns. Solid white is the most prized color.
Fault: Heavy bone structure, Persian body type or cobbiness. Overly round head or foreign head shape. Nose break. Overly short tail. Green eyes permissible only in white, silver, or golden cats.

History

This elegant cat with the silky white coat was favored by the kings of France. The Angora, which originated in Turkey, bears the name of the capital city of Turkey, formerly called Angora, but now called Ankara. This ancient breed remained true to its original type for many years. In the 17th century, Italian explorer Pietro Della Valle brought several Angoras back to his home country. This cat, with its immaculate, fluffy coat, was consider a gift "fit for a king." The European aristocracy, particularly the court of Louis XV, favored Angoras. In the 18th century, Linn renamed the breed Cattus angorensis to distinguish it from domestic cats and Chartreux cats. Buffon described it as the "solid white, longhaired cat of Angora." In the 19th century, after contributing to the development of the Persian (to which the Turkish Angora transmitted the gene responsible for long hair), the breed almost disappeared as a result of the remarkable popularity of Persians. After the Second World War, the breed was on the verge of extinction. Breeders in Europe and the United States imported Angoras from Turkey, where the breed is now protected. The Torio's, American breeders, purchased Yildiz and Hildizcik from the Ankara Zoo. In 1970, the C.F.A. registered the first Turkish Angoras. The breed was officially recognized by the C.F.A. in 1973, and by the F.I.Fe in 1988. Despite its remarkable beauty, this breed is rare.

Behavior

This active, lively, well-balanced cat is playful, but easygoing. The Turkish Angora enjoys other cats and gets along well with dogs. This breed is highly adaptable, even adjusting well to travel. The Turkish Angora is extremely affectionate and gentle. He loves a good petting session. In fact, you may never be able to get your Turkish Angora out of your lap! Though talkative, the Turkish Angora has a soft voice. This cat is strong, athletic, and agile. He loves the water. Care is simple since there is almost no undercoat. Weekly brushing is sufficient. During shedding season (heavy shedding), daily brushing is required.

Health

Ataxia - The disease only affects young kittens (2 to 4 weeks) attacking the neuromuscular contol system and is always fatal shortly thereafter. Turkish Angoras are the only breed with this problem.


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