Turkish Angora

Biology and range

The breed has a long, slender body with fine bone structure and a silky coat.^[2][3] Its head is small to medium with a smooth wedge shape, and its ears are pointed, large, and wide-set.^[2][3] The gene responsible for blue eyes and white coat can cause deafness, and there are reports of ataxia in kittens and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in adults.^[4] Almond-shaped eyes of a large size are a feature; possible colors include blue, green, amber, yellow, or heterochromatic combinations.^[3]

The tail, which is plumed, is frequently held upright at a right angle to the back.^[3] Athleticism, intelligence, playfulness, and a tendency to be involved with their human families are traits of Turkish Angoras.^[5] A particular family member is often chosen by these cats as a constant companion, with whom they form a strong bond.^[5]

What the specialist sources record

According to the same source, the breed's most definitive feature is its large, extremely high-set, vertical and erect ears.^[6] That study excluded Turkish Angoras bred in their native country, and the researchers failed to acknowledge that American showbench versions had been created by crossing Persians to other cats.^[7] Turkish breeders consider the fine-boned version promoted by the cat fancy to be an inaccurate representation of the authentic Turkish cats, which are notably more robust.^[7] Only a very small amount of the original Ankara Zoo DNA remains in American Turkish Angoras, making them purebred only in terms of paperwork.^[7]