Look at any list of Egyptian cats and I doubt you will find the Turkish Angora. Yet these beautiful cats number amongst some of the more common cats found at Cairo Cat Rescue & Rehoming Champions behind the Shirazis, Egyptian Maus and Domestic Longhairs and Shorthairs*. However, like the Maus and Shirazis, their history is complex and they bear a striking resemblance to both, to one in looks and the other in temperament. It has even been suggested that they share the same DNA, certainly with the Egyptian Mau. Here we try to unravel some of their history, why they share similar traits and how they have ended up in Egypt.
Like native Egyptian cats, the Turkish Angora is descended from the African Wildcat. They originated in the central Anatolian area of Turkey and first became imported to Europe and North America when long-haired cats became popular in the seventeenth century.
For centuries there has been some controversy as to whether they are the same breed as Persians (the original ancestors of the Egyptian Shirazi, not the current recognised breed) or whether Persians descended from them or vice versa. They were certainly purposely interbred with Persians in the twentieth century to improve the Persian coat but the breeds then diverged with the current recognised Persian breed developing the fashionable but controversial flat face. The first breeding programme for white Turkish Angoras only was set up at Ataturk Forest Park and Zoo in the early 1900s and some were imported to Canada in 1963. They first became a recognised breed by the Cat Fanciers' Association in North America in 1973, but until the late 1970s only pure white cats were eligible. Nowadays many colours are acceptable. They are not at present a recognised breed by the GCCF in the UK so prospective owners of 'pedigree' Turkish Angoras have to register on waiting lists of a small select number of registered breeders worldwide.
Like many other cat breeds which will be covered in these Blogs, Turkish Angoras were brought to Egypt as the latest fashionable accessory. They had always been popular in Europe because of their exotic coats and, like Shirazis, have continued to be popular in the Instagram age. There are no breeding programmes for pedigree cats in Egypt and fashions in cat ownership can often change, so many Turkish Angora kittens find themselves on the streets where they are hopefully rescued, or end up interbreeding with the other street cats.
Unlike Shirazis, which originally bore the patterns and colours of the native Maus, Turkish Angoras come in tabby, chocolate, smoke as well as the trademark white and the variety of colours and patterns are continually growing. Their coats are usually short and soft and they have an upright plumed tail. Like Shirazis, they are a small to medium-sized cat. Their eyes are almond-shaped and can be blue, amber, green and yellow and they can also have eyes of different colours 'heterochromatic'.
Their personality, however, is much more akin to that of an Egyptian Mau. They are playful, athletic and intelligent. Like Maus, they love roosting in high places and have a tendency to attach themselves to one individual as their devoted companion. Also like Maus they enjoy helping with daily tasks and are good at problem solving. They are one of the easiest cats to train.
Despite being semi long-coated Turkish Angoras are regarded as low maintenance cats. They have a short undercoat and their fur grows longer in winter. Recommended grooming is twice a week with an occasional tidy up from a professional. Although they like to explore, they are best suited to an indoor environment or catio where they preferably have company all day and plenty to occupy them when their owner is not around. They get on well with other animals but prefer to be leader of the pack rather than passive observer, in other words they have a tendency to be bossy.
Turkish Angoras make good family pets for those with older children and the time to ensure that they are constantly entertained.
So if you want an energetic, entertaining, affectionate companion ideally suited to the occasional Instagram post, a Turkish Angora may be the just the one for you.
* See our Blogs on Shirazi, Egyptian Mau and Domestic Longhair and Shorthair cats
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