You are here:

Cats/I think my cat is a turkish angora?

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/20/2009


Question
about three years ago i rescued a stray from a parking lot - he is positively one of the most loving, active, playful and id say prankster type cat ive ever known. I used to think he was part Maine coon however, after further research im more convinced hes mostly Turkish angora of the cream variety. He is long and slender, silky smooth long hair with a big fluffy tail and his hind fur looks like little pants. he is long limbed and agile. my vet has estimated him to be between 5-7 year old and he is still very playful with a whole lot of stamina. Can you tell me if you think its possible that he could be a Turkish Angora and if not, what he possibly could be? I would love to know for the future so i can find more cats with his kind of personality. Thank you very much!

picutres:
http://tinypic.com/r/bgac0l/6

http://tinypic.com/r/2iroyp/6

http://tinypic.com/r/24xmcdu/6

http://tinypic.com/r/23jiago/6

Answer
Jenniofer,

Thank you for supplying the pictures of Lucas.  He sure is a handsome cat. First of all, does he have undercoat?  Turkish Angoras do not have undercoat, but a long, silky coat with just guard hairs and awn coat (also known as a single coat).

It is more likely that semi-longhairs are derivatives of the Maine Coons.  He is a cream mackerel tabby and. probably, has some Maine Coon and lots of other stuff behind him.

He sounds like a neat cat and probably does not care what breed or breeds he may be derived from.

Best regards... Norm.  

Cats

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Norman Auspitz

Expertise

I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience

I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.


Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.