About the breed
The Turkish Angora is considered one of the oldest natural breeds of domestic cat and a likely ancestor of several other longhair breeds. It takes its name from Ankara (historically Angora), the capital of Turkey, where it originates. It is a slender, elongated, medium-sized cat with a silky, single coat that has no undercoat - so it looks luxurious while actually being fairly easy to maintain.
Origin and history
Written records of a white longhaired cat from Angora appearing in Europe go back to the 16th century; according to the CFA, a specimen is documented as arriving from Angora as early as 1520, and references to the breed become common from the 1600s onward, when it was brought to Europe as an exotic, prized gift for nobility. The breed was also popular in France, where it is said to have been among Marie Antoinette's pets. As organized cat fancy rose in England, Turkish Angoras were frequently crossed with Persians to improve coat quality, which nearly wiped out the purebred line.
The Ankara Zoo and the breed's rescue
Because the Turkish Angora was regarded in Turkey as a national treasure, the Turkish government encouraged conservation breeding programs at zoos as early as the 1930s, and the breed was ultimately secured by a dedicated program at the Ankara Zoo, which from 1962 has systematically bred only white Turkish Angoras with blue, amber, or odd (two different-colored) eyes. The zoo kept meticulous pedigree records and was for a long time very reluctant to release cats abroad. In 1962/1963 it finally gifted a breeding pair - the female Yildicek and the male Yildiz - to an American couple, Colonel and Mrs. Grant, laying the foundation for American Turkish Angora breeding and the breed's eventual CFA recognition in 1970. The Ankara program remains one of the rare examples of a zoo formally taking on the role of conservator of a domestic cat breed as a matter of national pride.
Appearance: from 'white only' to every color
When the first Turkish Angoras arrived in the US in 1954, the breed was recognized for a long time exclusively in white - the CFA began registering white Turkish Angoras in 1968, with colored variants not recognized until 1978. Today almost every color and pattern is permitted except chocolate, lilac, and pointed (colorpoint) patterns. Distinctive features of the breed include a wedge-shaped head, large, high-set, outward-tilted ears (giving a 'bunny-like' look), almond-shaped eyes in blue, green, amber, or copper, and a long, richly plumed tail. Cats with 'odd eyes' - one blue and one amber or green - are especially prized.
White coats, blue eyes, and deafness
In white cats - historically the breed's most iconic color - there is a well-documented link between the dominant white gene (W), blue eyes, and congenital sensorineural deafness. A study published in the journal G3 (Genes, Genomes, Genetics, 2014) showed that insertion of a retroviral element (FERV1) into the KIT gene produces a pleiotropic effect: it completely blocks coat pigmentation while incompletely - but significantly - causing deafness and iris hypopigmentation (blue eyes). According to International Cat Care, a cat with two blue eyes is 3 to 5 times more likely to be deaf than a cat without blue eyes, and a cat with one blue eye is roughly twice as likely. For this reason, BAER hearing tests are recommended for white Turkish Angora kittens, especially from blue-eyed/odd-eyed lines, and responsible breeders often pair white cats with colored ones to reduce the risk.
Turkish Angora or Turkish Van?
The Turkish Angora is often confused with the Turkish Van, a completely separate, independently recognized breed from the Lake Van region in eastern Turkey. The Turkish Van is larger and more muscular (males can weigh up to about 9 kg/20 lb) and is defined by its distinctive 'Van' pattern - a predominantly white body with color confined mainly to the head and tail. The Turkish Angora, by contrast, is more slender and fine-boned, and its standard allows solid, bicolor, or patterned combinations, but never that specific Van pattern. The Van is also known for its unusual love of water, a trait that is not particularly associated with the Angora.
Temperament and daily life
According to the CFA, the Turkish Angora's fragile appearance belies a cat with real muscular strength and a very strong will. It is highly intelligent, curious, and one of the most interactive and affectionate of all breeds - often following owners around the house, 'helping' with chores, and communicating vocally, almost as if holding a conversation. This has earned it a reputation as one of the more 'doglike' cat breeds. Despite its friendly nature, VCA notes it can also be quick-tempered, and it has a notably dominant streak - it generally gets along with other cats and dogs, but likes to be the one in charge of the household, so new pets are best introduced gradually and under supervision.
Care and health
The single, silky coat without an undercoat mats relatively little and needs only weekly to twice-weekly brushing with a fine-toothed comb or slicker brush, a bit more often in summer during shedding. The Turkish Angora is otherwise a sturdy, long-lived breed; its main breed-specific health concern is the white-coat/blue-eye link to congenital deafness described above, but overall it is considered a comparatively healthy natural breed without the pronounced genetic burdens seen in some artificially shaped breeds.
Temperament
An intelligent, athletic and highly sociable cat with a strong will - it loves being the center of attention, vocally 'chats' with its owners and follows them around the home, while also being somewhat dominant toward other household pets.
Suitable for
Experienced cat owners and families who can devote plenty of attention, play, and mental stimulation to the cat, and who will accept it as an equal, fairly strong-willed member of the household.
Living environment
Adapts well to apartment life as long as it has tall shelving, cat trees to climb, and plenty of opportunity for movement and play - this is an athletic, curious breed that needs vertical space and daily stimulation.
Grooming
The single silky coat needs brushing once or twice a week with a fine-toothed comb or slicker brush, a little more often in summer during shedding; bathing is rarely needed. BAER hearing tests are recommended for white, blue-eyed kittens; otherwise this is a sturdy, long-lived breed without pronounced hereditary health burdens.
Pros & cons
Advantages
elegant and athletic build, highly affectionate and interactive with family, easy grooming thanks to a single coat with no undercoat
Things to consider
needs plenty of interaction and mental stimulation, can be vocal and quick-tempered, white blue-eyed individuals carry an elevated risk of deafness
