Turkish Angora Cat

Turkish Angora cats are said to be originally from the Middle East, specifically Turkey. The breed was originally known as an Ankara until the name of the town in Turkey for which they were named was changed to Angora. Although the breed was brought into Europe in the 1500's, it did not reach America until the 1700's. It quickly became watered down by being bred with other types of cats and did not appear as a full breed again until the 1960's. It is a fairly rare breed of cat that is becoming quite popular in the United States so its numbers are growing steadily. It is recognized by the three top cat associations, including the American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA), The International Cat Association, and the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA). What Does a Turkish Angora Look Like?

The appearance of this Turkish cat is one of beauty. It is normally white with mismatched colored eyes. Some have blue eyes but many have one blue and one green eye. This breed usually has a very beautiful silky, long to medium coat, with a full tail and lean, muscular body.

There are more then twenty coat colors for the breed, although white is the most common. Other colors include a red or brownish color and black, with a few being a smokey blue. Unfortunately, often times a Turkish Angora with two blue eyes is deaf. It is stated that if the cat has one blue eye and one green one, it may also be deaf on the side of the head that the blue eye is on. This is not always true though, as many blue-eyed cats can hear perfectly well. The tail is quite pretty and has a plumed appearance. The eyes are almond shaped, and the ears are rather large. The Turkish Angora can weigh as much as eighteen pounds.

Personality Traits of the Turkish Angora

Turkish Angora cats are simply fun to have around the house because they are very intelligent and busy. They enjoy having loud, vocal conversations with their owners, especially if dinner is served a little late. They are said to be very loyal to their family members and even enjoy the company of other cats, if introduced in the proper manner.

O ne unique trait of this breed is that unlike most other cat breeds, they (most often) love water. They play with a shallow bowl of water as if it is their favorite cat toy. Some even enjoy swimming in shallow water, but that choice should be left up to the cat, not the owner! Providing plenty of cat toys keeps the Angora out of trouble because they do enjoy being busy and may get into trouble if they become bored.

Health Traits and Caring for the Turkish Angora

This breed needs to be groomed by being brushed at least once a week as their coat is medium to long in length and tends to develop mats if not groomed properly. Health problems that are common include deafness, which is not really much of a problem, as cats that have no hearing don't realize there is a need for worry and tend to do very well as long as they are kept inside and protected from predators and traffic. Other health problems include an inherited disease known as Ataxia, which is akin to Parkinson's Disease in its symptoms. A heart condition that is genetic may also rarely be found in the Turkish Angora. It is called Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and is found in males more often than females.

Who Should Own Turkish Angora Cats?

The answer to this question is simple. Anyone who loves cats, wants a lively companion, and a unique looking feline friend can have an Angora. They are good with children, especially if raised with them from the time they are kittens. They are energetic, love to play, and can spend hours entertaining the family with their antics.

Source: http://www.turkishangora.org/