Turkish Angora Cat

Considered by many to be the first long-haired cat, the Turkish Angora probably originated from the Manul cat domesticated by the Tartars. At some point in history, this highly intelligent, resourceful cat made its' way to Turkey and for centuries roamed freely, just as they do today (as a feral cat), through out the countryside and villages of Turkey. In fact, the beautiful Turkish Angora cat is designated as one of the national treasures of Turkey.
 Early in the last century, the Turkish Angora all but vanished, due largely to inter-breeding with Persians, and was thought to be extinct. However, in 1962, American servicemen stationed abroad re-discovered the Turkish Angora in the Ankara Zoo, where they were part of a controlled breeding program dating back some 35 years. Turkish Angoras were subsequently re-introduced to the western world. Only those cats whose ancestry can be traced back to Turkey are eligible for CFA registration.
 
 The Turkish Angora cat has adapted well to living with people (and they make wonderful, very affectionate, highly active pets), but they still maintain their strong personalities, derived from instinct and their innate intelligence, which enabled them to survive as feral cats.
 
 Turkish Angoras have long, lean, graceful, finely boned , yet surprisingly sturdy bodies. Adult males weigh 7-8 pounds while the adult females are slightly smaller, weighing 5-6 pounds. Their faces are wedge-shaped with large almond-shaped eyes. Perhaps, the single most arresting feature of the Turkish Angora is their large, extremely high-set erect ears which give them a perpetually alert expression.
 
 The Turkish Angora's long silky coat is "single"... having no undercoat... thus lacking the fullness found in the coats of other long-haired breeds. The tails of the T.A. are magnificent silky plumes. Although, until just recently the most popular color for the Turkish Angora was white, the CFA now recognizes any shade and pattern except those which suggest hybridization such as lavendar, chocolate, or the pointed pattern.