Ankara cats refers to the Turkish Angora breed, a beautiful and ancient cat breed originating from the region around Ankara (formerly Angora), the capital of modern Turkey. It's a national treasure known for its elegance, silky single coat, intelligence, curiousity, and playful personality.
The Turkish Angora is considered one of the oldest naturally occurring longhaired cat breeds. Its origins trace back centuries in the mountainous regions of Turkey. The breed became popular in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries but later declined in numbers. The preservation efforts of the pure white Turkish Angoras were vital in saving this ancient breed from extinction.
They are known for their fine bones, long, graceful, and slender bodies. They appear delicate but are quite athletic. Their most distinctive feature is their single coat (lacking a dense undercoat) which is medium-long to long, very fine, and silky to the touch. They have a long, tapering tail carried high. These cats have a wedge-shaped head with large, tufted ears set high. Eyes are large, expressive, almond-shaped. Eye color can be blue, green, gold, amber, or odd-eyed (heterochromia - one blue eye and one gold/green eye) like the Van cats. While traditionally famous for being pure white, Turkish Angoras are now recognized by major cat registries (like CFA, TICA) in a wide variety of colors and patterns, including black, blue, tabby, tortoiseshell, etc.
Turkish Angoras often bond closely with their human families, sometimes choosing a favorite person. They enjoy being involved in household activities and can be quite talkative with softer, chirping voices. They are active cats and enjoy interactive games and need stimulation. They love heights and are often found perched on the highest points in a room. Due to their single coat, they require less intensive grooming than Persians.