The Turkish Van is a large, white, semi-long-haired cat with colour on the head and tail, brought to Britain from eastern Turkey in 1955.
Energetic and fond of water, it is a healthy but rare breed.
The Turkish Van is a large, strongly built semi-long-haired cat from eastern Turkey, white with coloured markings on the head and tail. It is known for an unusual liking for water.
Origin
Cats of this type have long lived around Lake Van in eastern Anatolia. In 1955 two British women travelling in Turkey were given a pair, brought them home and began a breeding programme with further imports. The breed was recognised in Britain in 1969, at first under the name Turkish cat.
Appearance
The Van is long, broad-chested and muscular; males are large, and the cats take three to five years to reach full size. The coat is soft, like cashmere, with no woolly undercoat, and has a water-resistant texture. It is thick in winter, with a ruff and a full tail, and much shorter in summer.
The coat is chalk white, with colour confined to the head and tail. This distribution is so characteristic that it is called the van pattern in other breeds. Auburn is the classic colour; cream, black, blue, tortoiseshell and tabby markings are also accepted. Eyes are amber, blue or one of each.
An all-white form is recognised in Britain under the name Turkish Vankedisi.
Temperament
Turkish Vans are energetic, intelligent and assertive. They are strong jumpers and climbers and are attached to their people without being lap cats. Many play with running taps and some swim, which has earned the breed the nickname "swimming cat".
Care and health
The coat does not mat readily and needs combing once or twice a week. The breed is robust, with no widespread inherited diseases. White cats with blue eyes can be deaf.
Recognition
The Turkish Van is recognised by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy and the international registries. It is rare: ten kittens were registered in Britain in 2023.
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