Pedigree Cat Breeds - Turkish Angora

Known to be one of the oldest of all semi long haired pedigree domestic breeds. Without doubt, it was heralded as one of the most glamorous of breeds when it was first encountered in Europe (believed to be recorded as early as the 10th Century). Most origins are based on the activity at the time and the place in which the first cats were found or bought over from.

It is believed that it was the Vikings who introduced them into Europe - although other schools of thought have suggested that their origins could have been in Russia. 

They were and still are revered for their pure white coat and blue eyes. However, they are now bred in several colours and in bi-colour pattern.


 


A very much overlooked breed which would have become extinct had they not been quietly bred in Ankara Zoo, Turkey....which as the name suggests is 'The Turkish Angoras' traditionally recognised homeland and area of origin. Angora simply means from Ankara.

This conservational breeding programme was in operation for 45 years in the early part of the 20th century at the Zoo before being discovered by the western enthusiasts and breeders, who decided to start to breed the pure Turkish Angora again...and cats were exported to the United States for this purpose.

They had long been missing from the UK and only recently have they been reintroduced as a breed in their own right - but are not recognised by GCCF. They are recognised here by Felis Britannica, Fife, Everycat and TICA.

 

Due to this the breeders in the UK have not been buying the Turkish Angora for breed show. So they have not gained their rightful popularity alongside the rest of the 'Pure Bred' cats. This in itself causes difficulties with finding suitable outcrosses. Europe has recognised the return of the Turkish Angora since the early 1970s, where they were once held in such high regard, and have now returned to favour and are bred and shown. They are breeding new colours, including colourpoint

This breed must not be confused with the Oriental Longhair as now known.

Breeders in the UK tried to recreate this breed by artificially using long haired oriental cats. The idea was to create an Angora 'type,' and by the 1960s these were given the title of Angoras. This all lead to confusion when the Original Turkish Angoras were rediscovered and reintroduced. The artificially created cats were then called the British Angora (a title that has now been dropped).

Appearance: medium build, medium leg length, wedge shaped head. Large ears held upright on the top of the head following the contour of the face. Almond eyes, sometimes with a round eyed appearance, nose straight - without any convex or concave

Coat: Originally white and silky they have only 2 types of coat hairs - the woollen undercoat being omitted. New colours have been bred bringing with it the yellow eyes. Originally they were blue only. However, as there are no permitted outcrosses in the UK. It is a pure breed only, colours such as cinnamon, chocolate etc. Or colourpoints are not to be found. The coat is technically a semi long hair, longer at the main or ruff and the undersides with a plumed tail in keeping with the length of the body sometimes held over their body. They do not develop a full coat until they fully mature at approximately 2 years of age onwards.

The cats are highly companionable, intelligent, possibly could be taught to walk on a lead and are more boisterous than a Persian. They are not so vocal as the Orientals. They are doglike in their devotion to their owner.

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Tremarie Persians, Chinchillas & Selkirk Rex

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*Breed standards may vary according to cat governing body