Meet the guest from Ankara: angora cat

Angora cat was bred in Asia Minor for a long time, in the XVI century, by crossing the local domestic cat with the Caucasian forest. From domesticated ancestors Angorca got a graceful body structure and silky wool, and from the admixture of the savage - powerful paws, wide chest and excellent health. Since the breed was bred in Ankara, it received the name in honor of the city (it was called in Europe by Angora). Initially, only bright white cats with slanted eyes and soft, silky, semi-long hair recognized the Angorks. There is a legend according to which the Turks wiped about the soft wool of fatty animals from the pilaf, using them instead of napkins.

Since the end of the XVI century, with the growth of the power of the Sublime Porte (the then the Ottoman Empire was called), the Turkish cat began to penetrate into Europe. It was presented as a diplomatic gift to the ambassadors and the first persons of the European kingdoms. It is known that the famous Cardinal Richelieu adored this breed, and contained in his palace several angorkas of different colors. Under the influence of fashion, many French families, wishing to outbid the cardinal, also began to take in the houses of the Angora cats, and they divorced so many that it was believed for a long time that this breed was bred in France.

In Europe, these cats were also called Persian. At that time (XVII-XVIII century.) This was the longest-haired murk. They were valued as domestic ermines. However, when the Persian breed was bred, the Angora cat quickly lost its popularity.

Then the breeders, in order not to lose the market, began to experiment with breeding, crossing the angora with the Persian to achieve a longer and fluffy coat. Thus, pure representatives of the ancient breed from Ankara in Europe almost disappeared. The fact is that Angora has no undercoat, which makes their coat never fall. The core fibers also have the property of self-cleaning. Therefore, Angora cats, unlike Persian, do not need a thorough daily combing, remain clean after eating and are suitable for allergic people.

In Russia Angora cat got in the course of the Russo-Turkish war, straight from Turkey, and not on the wave of French fashion. Initially, only pure white snow colors and eyes of different colors (Ankara kedi) were recognized as purebred, but from the mid-20th century onwards, The description of the breed includes such colors as black, blue, cream-blue, smoky, mackerel or classic tabby, silver, cream, tortoiseshell, tricolor, bicolour and color "van" (not to be confused with the Turkish Van, which is an independent breed! ). The eyes are now allowed the same color - blue or amber, however, their cut must be slightly "Asian", beveled.

The pedigree Angora cat should have a slender neck, elongated triangular head with a rounded chin, short, slightly lowered ears with sharply pointed ends. The animal's wool should not be very long, thin, pleasant to the touch, tightly fitting to the body. Gracefulness must be combined with strength: the hind legs should be longer than the forelegs, so the croup of the cat is raised. The outlines of the paws are round, between the fingers and in the auricles is the presence of hair. The tail with a slightly longer than on the other body, fur should have the shape of an ostrich feather: wide at the base and tapering to the tip.

Unlike gentle Persians, angorkas are famous for their excellent health and live on average about 15 years. They do not have "generic" diseases, except that it is necessary to monitor the formation and timely removal of tartar. What are the habits of the Turkish Angora? The nature of these kis is the most agreeable: they forgive their children's pranks, do not tend to scratch and bite. These are very sociable cats ready to spend hours with the owners. Unlike their fellow men, they like to swim. Enough smart - at least as far as opening the refrigerator and lockers with food. Excellent catch mice, adapt well to the new apartment. Angorku can be taken with him to the dacha and walking her on a leash like a dog - this breed has no fear of open space. Choosing a kitten is recommended in the fifth month of his life, when the parameters of the breed are fully formed.