![[Honey]](honey.jpg)
The Turkish Angora is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful breeds
of cat with its elegant body and long silky coat. It was, however, until
quite recently, overshadowed by the heavy-coated heavy-boned Persians. By
the turn of the century, the breed was virtually unknown outside of Turkey
and was nearly forced into extinction by the ravages of two world wars.
However, in the 1960s the breed was reintroduced in North America. Several
years later it was recognised by the leading cat registries. Today it is
still one of the more exotic breeds of cat in the fancy. Pictured left if PR Galatia Prospero, an Amber-eyed White. Photo: ©Chanan.
The name Turkish Angora, is a derivation of Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The Ankara zoo protects its national cat and maintains a breeding program for their continued existence. With the recent change in Turkish government the zoo is now closed to the rest of the world as a source of new genetic material.
![[Gert]](gert.jpg)
Deafness in blue eyed and odd eyed white cats is a subject of much
concern. In Europe the decision to eliminate deaf animals is heading
towards an outright ban of blue-eyed white cats. We feel this is highly
over reacting. We use colours extensively in our breeding program to
minimise the occurrence of deafness in our kittens. We also made a
conscious decision to not breed any deaf cats, no matter how fabulous
their type. At right is GC Galatia Queen Gertrude, an Odd-eyed White. Photo: ©Larry Johnson
The inability to hear has never caused one of our cats to miss a meal yet! As indoor pets they require only slightly more alertness than hearing cats. They are much more attentive, constantly watching your face for visual clues. As they are much more attuned to smells than so-called normal cats, they sometimes react quite strenuously to perfumes or hand creams. On the other hand, they can smell catnip a block away!
![[Blue Kittens]](bluekits.jpg)
When Turkish Angoras were first shown in North America only the
traditional white was recognised by CFA for competition. Our first litter
from a white female bred to a blue male produced three black kittens plus
one white. We were hooked on colour! Black is still our favourite, (or is
it blue tabby?), but to date we have also raised tortoiseshells, blue
tabbies, blue smokes, red tabbies, brown tabbies, black smokes and of
course whites with all eye colours.
![[Gert]](gert2.jpg)
The Turkish Angora is an in-your-face kind of cat (or should we say "in your cupboard" as Gert is demonstrating so well!). To say they
interact is an understatement! Everything you can do, they can do better
and faster! Everything from sweeping the floor to home TV repair are
within their realm of expertise. Nosy to a fault, they are constantly
alert for new experiences.
Elegance and beauty are the mark of their physical presence. Dont let their grace and elegance fool you! The best route between two spots for a Turkey still remains the direct path, even if that means going through or over something. Breakables should be locked up while a Turkey kitten is on the premises. Turkish Angoras are a high energy cat. They need to have plenty of exercise to maintain their elegant figures. If no adequate exercise tree is provided be sure they will invent one, using your bookshelves, entertainment centre, windowsills and doorframes. High spots are their delight. Prodigious leapers, they can find themselves in the oddest of places, tops of doorframes, valance boxes, shower rods etc.
![[Ruby in bed]](ruby.jpg)
Sensitive to their surroundings and with a keen understanding of
domestic politics they usually attach themselves to the centre of power in
any household. In a home containing children, that almost always means the
child! However that affinity to power has never curtailed their diplomatic
approach to all their humans. You never know just who is going to provide
the next treat! Then again, playing hide-and-seek under the bedcovers is exactly CH Galatia Ruby's idea of fun!
Not all Turkish Angoras, even the most perfect ones, take well to showing. Their high opinion of themselves doesnt always tally with doing as others want. Being confined for 7 or 8 hours in an exhibiting cage is not quite their idea of a good time. But for those who do like to show it is merely another opportunity to show off.
They are able to adapt well to life with dogs but we would not recommend them as companions to birds or small rodents. For some reason they think of them as great toys!
Although the Turkish Van is more commonly known as the water cat, many Angoras have an insatiable need to play in water. Some help do dishes; others are content to splash around in the water bowl. We have had one cat so enamoured of water she would stand in the shower with you under the full force of the flow. Imagine trying to dry that every morning before work!