The Turkish Angora (Turkish: Ankara Kedisi) is one of the ancient, naturally-occurring cat breeds, having originated in central Turkey, in the Ankara region.
Physical characteristics
They mostly have a white, silky, medium-long length coat, no undercoat and fine bone structure. There is likely a a connection between Ankara Cats and Persians, and the Turkish Angora is also a distant cousin of the Turkish Van. Although they are known for their shimmery white coat, currently there are more than twenty varieties including black, blue, reddish fur. They come in tabby and tabby and white, along with smoke varieties, and are in every color other than pointed, lavender, and cinnamon (all of which would indicate breeding to an outcross).
Eyes may be blue, green or amber, but it is often a combination of one blue and one amber. The W gene responsible for white coat and blue eye is closely related to the their hearing ability, and presence of a blue eye can indicate the cat is deaf to the side the blue eye is located. However, a great many blue and odd-eyed whites have normal hearing, and even deaf cats lead a very normal, if indoor, life.
Ears are sharp and relatively bigger, head is long and wide. Another characteristic is the tail, which is kept parallel to the back.
Behavioral Characteristics
Turkish Angora is an intelligent and very curious breed, very active throughout their life-span. Angoras love to bathe with their owners (another link to the cousin Turkish Van cat, which is known as "the swimming cat"). They also tend to bond with their owners and try to be the center of attention, often doing their part in conversations. They often don't like to be held for long, but like to stay in human presence.
