The Turkish Angora cat is one of the ancient, naturally-occurring cat breeds.  They originated in central Turkey.  Most of these cats have a white, silky, medium-long length coat, no undercoat and fine bone structure.  Although they are known for the white coat color, they also come in other colors that include:

• Black
• Blue
• Red
• Tabby
• Tabby-white
• Smoke varieties
• Every color other than pointed
• Lavender
• Cinnamon

All the colors are due to outcross breedings, and like all domestic cats, the Turkish Angoras descended from the African wildcat.  The mountain regions of Eastern Anatolia were home to isolated cats that were brought by traders from Egypt.  Through inbreeding and natural selection they developed into long-haired breeds like the Turkish Angora.

Long-haired cats were imported to Britain and France from Asia Minor, Persia and Russia as early as the late 16th century.  The Turkish Angora was used to improve the coat of the Persian.

The following appearance description is offered to help you decide if the Turkish Angora cat is right for you, your family and lifestyle.

Appearance Description

• No other breed has a coat as sensuously silky
• Extra large erect ears set high and close together on the head
• Large, soulful eyes
• A tail that billows out into a glorious plume of fur
• Come in a wide array of colors in solid, shaded, smoke, tabby, bicolor and parti-color patterns

The following personality description is offered to help you decide if the Turkish Angora cat is right for you, your family and lifestyle.

Personality Description

• All Turkish

Angoras registered with CFA can trace their ancestry back to imports from Turkey, and consequently, to original wild stock
• Their natural instincts are closer to the surface than those of many other breeds
• Innate intelligence
• Strong will
• Make excellent hunters and mousers
• Firmness with these cats is an important part of loving them
• Playful and affectionate
• Their intelligence helps them to learn ways of opening doors, cabinets and drawers that you probably don’t want them opening
• Water is of great fascination to the Turkish Angora.  In their wild state, they once swam in pursuit of fish, like their Turkish Van cousins

Grooming Tips

• Relatively simple as compared to other long haired breeds
• Twice a week combing is recommended
• Regular baths and trimming the nails from early kitten hood is recommended
• Bathing is recommended every 8 to 10 days for white cats
• Maintenance bathing should include two lathers
• The silky coat can become oily and might need a lathering with a special degreasing shampoo, or a dilute solution of dishwashing liquid such as Dawn Liquid and water.

Follow the link in the resource box of this article to find pictures and more information about many different breeds of cats.

Written by:  Connie Limon.  Visit “Adopting Kittens” at http://smalldogs2.com/AdoptingKittens to find a complete online reference for choosing and caring for the perfect kitten, which matches you and your lifestyle.  Learn about litter box training at http://smalldogs2.com/LitterBoxTraining

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Copyright © 2008 All Rights Reserved Connie Limon