Turkish Angora Characteristics

The ancestors of the Turkish angora have been present in Turkey for more than 1,400 years. Stories even claim that Muhammad had such a cat for himself. These cats were first bred for intelligence, beauty and grace, and they have maintained these characteristics through careful breeding.

  1. Coat

    • The coat of a Turkish angora is one the breed's distinguishing traits. Their coats are single-layered rather than double-layer, and they vary from short to long. The ruff around a Turkish angora's neck is long and silky, as is the hair on his tail. Turkish angoras have characteristically long hair around their back legs, called "britches."

    Physical Characteristics

    • Turkish angora cats generally have almond-shaped eyes of green, gold, copper or blue. Their ears are wide and very pointed at the tips, and they cap smallish heads with long noses. Turkish angoras are long, slim cats that are judged on their grace rather than their size. Males are only slightly larger than females. Their back legs are slightly longer than their front legs.

    Temperament

    • Turkish angoras are quick witted and can be moody and quick to anger. They can, like most cats, be manipulative of their owners. They are quick learners and sometimes exhibit a very unique sense of humor. These cats are extremely active and don't take well to sitting still for long periods of time. They do, however, form strong bonds with their owners and can be very affectionate and loving.