Cat Breed · Turkey
Turkish Angora
An ancient silky longhair often white with odd-coloured eyes.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
In brief
The Turkish Angora is an elegant, fine-boned longhaired cat from Turkey, often pure white with shimmering silky fur and sometimes odd-coloured eyes. Lively, intelligent and people-loving, it is one of the oldest natural breeds and a confident, playful household companion.
Turkish Angora: At a Glance
| Origin | Turkey |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium (2.5–5 kg) |
| Weight | 2.5-5 kg (5.5-11 lb), with the slightly larger males at the top of the range |
| Lifespan | 13–17 years |
| Coat | Long, fine and silky with no woolly undercoat, which makes it surprisingly easy to care for and resistant to matting. A brush once or twice a week keeps it smooth and glossy, with heavier seasonal shedding in spring. The single coat lies flat and flowing, plumed at the tail, and comes in white and many other colours. |
| Temperament | Elegant, intelligent, playful |
| Good with | An excellent, adaptable choice for families, first-time owners and multi-pet homes, suiting both houses and flats. Affectionate and clever, Turkish Angoras enjoy being involved in everything, get on well with respectful children and other pets, and often take charge of the household. They crave company and play, so they do best where someone is around and willing to keep them entertained. |
History & Origins
The Turkish Angora is an ancient natural breed from the region around Ankara, historically called Angora, and is documented in Europe as far back as the 16th and 17th centuries, where its silky coat made it a prized luxury. By the early 20th century the breed had become scarce, and Turkey established a careful preservation programme at Ankara Zoo to protect the pure white cats. American servicemen and breeders imported cats from the zoo in the 1960s, and the breed gained championship recognition with US registries in the 1970s. It remains a point of national pride in Turkey.
Turkish Angora Fun Facts
- Many Turkish Angoras have heterochromia, meaning one blue eye and one amber or green eye, a trait especially associated with the white cats.
- Ankara Zoo ran a dedicated breeding programme to preserve the breed, with particular value placed on odd-eyed white cats.
- Unlike many longhairs, the Angora has no thick undercoat, so its silky fur tangles far less and is easy to maintain.
- White Angoras with one or two blue eyes can carry a higher chance of deafness on the blue-eyed side, linked to the white coat gene.
Turkish Angora Common Health Issues
Conditions seen more often in this breed, and how owners and vets help manage them. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice — always speak to your vet.
Deafness in white cats
Deafness in white cats can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring.
Care: Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Thickening of the heart muscle that may cause sudden illness or heart failure.
Care: Breeding cats should be screened; affected cats may need lifelong medication under veterinary care.
Ataxia
Ataxia can occur in this breed and may need veterinary monitoring.
Care: Discuss prevention and treatment with your vet.
Every cat deserves a chance
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