Picture: Chocolate Tabby AngoraProbably the first Longhair to be seen in Europe, the Angora hails from what is now Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Lithe, with long, silky hair and plumed tail, it is a most attractive cat that has a venerable background.
History
Turkish sultans were sending these cats as gifts to the nobles of France and England during the sixteenth century, but by the end of the nineteenth century they had fallen out of fashion, being ousted by the new Longhairs and original Persians. Happily, the Ankara zoo came to the rescue and the Angora became something of a protected species. In the early 1960s, an American couple purchased two of the cats from the zoo, and re-established the breed in the US, where it is now very popular.
Temperament
Gentle, friendly, and intelligent, the Angora is a fun-loving cat that enjoys playing games.
Varieties
The first American Angoras were pure white (and prone to the deafness associated with the colour). Now, most Longhair coat colours are accepted, some of the most common of which are shown in the chart.
| Varieties | Coat | Eyes |
| White | Pure white | Orange, blue, or odd-eyed |
| Black | Jet black | Orange |
| Blue | Blue-grey | Orange |
| Black Smoke | White, blue tips | Orange |
| Blue Smoke | White, blue tips | Orange |
| Silver Tabby | Silver, black markings | Orange |
| Red Tabby | Red, rich red markings | Orange |
| Brown Tabby | Brown, black markings | Orange |
| Blue Tabby | Bluish-ivory, blue markings | Orange |
| Calico | White, black and red patches | Orange |
| Bicolour | Black, blue, red, or cream with white | Orange |
Chocolate Tabby Angora
A British variety. Angoras in Britain were developed “artificially” from breeding programmes using Siamese blood rather than by importing Turkish stock, producing a cat that looks the same as the original and American Angoras, but that has a more querulous voice.
Picture: Chocolate Tabby AngoraBody
Medium in size, lithe and athletic.
Coat
The fur is medium-long, very fine and silky, with a tendency to wave. There should be a well-developed, lush, ruff. The cat moults during the winter months. No thick wooly undercoat.
Tail
Long and tapering, frequently carried proudly curled. Full tail brush.
Legs
Long and slim. The forelegs are shorter than the hind legs.
Feet
The paws are small, dainty, and round. Toe tufts.
HeadSmall to medium in size, wedge-shaped with a long nose and red nose pad.
Eyes
Medium to large in size, almond-shaped and slanted. Eye color should be green or hazel.
Ears
Large, wide at the base, and pointed. Ear tufts.
Facial Characteristics
Chocolate Tabby Angora.
Picture: Odd-eyed White Angora 