Turkish Angora - appearance, character and grooming
The Turkish Angora is a semi-longhaired cat originating from the Ankara region. It has a slender, well-muscled silhouette, large ears and a long tail, whose silky coat forms a plume. The breed is most commonly associated with a white coat, though Turkish Angoras also come in many other colours. At home, they are usually active and inquisitive. They enjoy playing and often accompany their owners in daily activities.
The appearance of the Turkish Angora according to the FIFe standard
In the standard, proportions and fluidity of movement are important. The body is elongated and well-muscled, and the neck is slender. Female cats are medium-sized, whilst male cats are somewhat larger. The long, abundantly coated tail is wide at the base and gradually tapers towards the tip. The head is wedge-shaped, wider at the top and gently tapering towards the chin. The nose is of medium length and almost straight. Large, sharply pointed ears are set high and close together. The eyes are large, almond-shaped and set slightly slanting upwards.
Height of an adult cat approx. 20-25 cm Weight of an adult cat approx. 2.3-4.5 kg
Coat and colour
The hair of the Turkish Angora is fine, smooth and has a silky sheen. On the body it reaches medium length, whilst on the tail and around the neck it is longer. The FIFe standard describes the coat as single-layered, without undercoat. The summer coat is noticeably shorter than the winter coat, and in the first year of life the ruff around the neck is still developing.
In addition to white Turkish Angoras, there are also black, blue, red and cream cats, as well as tabby and white markings. In the white variety, cats with eyes of two different colours also occur. The FIFe standard excludes the point pattern and chocolate, lilac, cinnamon and fawn colours.
Character and behaviour at home
FIFe and TICA describe the Turkish Angora as an active, intelligent cat that is interested in what its owners are doing. It often accompanies its owner in daily activities, and some Turkish Angoras become particularly strongly attached to one person. Many cats of this breed enjoy climbing and observing the home from heights. A tall scratching post gives them a place to climb and rest, whilst play with a wand toy allows them to use their agility. The Turkish Angora can adapt well to a home with children or other animals. When choosing a kitten, it is worth asking the breeder about its temperament and previous experiences. One kitten may seek contact with guests on its own, whilst another may need time before approaching them.
Grooming the Turkish Angora
The silky coat of the Turkish Angora rarely becomes matted. According to TICA, thorough combing once a week is usually sufficient to remove loose hair. The frequency can be adjusted to how intensively the cat sheds. When combing, it is worth paying attention to the ruff and tail, where the hair is longest.
Health and hearing testing
Some white cats may experience hearing loss or deafness. BAER testing allows the hearing of each ear to be assessed separately. FIFe requires hearing testing of white cats before breeding approval and recommends BAER as the preferred method. When choosing a white Turkish Angora, it is worth asking the breeder whether the kitten itself was also tested and whether the result can be seen.
| Organisation | Recognised | Breed code | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFe | yes | TUA | II |
- What are the dimensions and weight of the Turkish Angora?
- An adult cat has a height of approximately 20–25 cm and weighs approximately 2.3–4.5 kg. Female cats are medium-sized, whilst male cats are somewhat larger.
- Does the Turkish Angora require intensive grooming?
- The silky coat of the Turkish Angora rarely becomes matted. According to TICA, thorough combing once a week is usually sufficient to remove loose hair.
- Can white Turkish Angoras have hearing problems?
- Some white cats may experience hearing loss or deafness. FIFe requires hearing testing of white cats before breeding approval.
- What is the character of the Turkish Angora?
- The Turkish Angora is an active, intelligent cat that is interested in what its owners are doing. It often accompanies its owner in daily activities, and some Turkish Angoras become particularly strongly attached to one person.
- What colours does the Turkish Angora come in?
- In addition to white Turkish Angoras, there are also black, blue, red and cream cats, as well as tabby and white markings. The FIFe standard excludes the point pattern and chocolate, lilac, cinnamon and fawn colours.