Animal-World > Cats > Natural Cat Breeds > Turkish Van Cats

Turkish Van CatsVan Cat, Turkish Cat, Turkish Swimming Cat, Van Kedi

Family: Felidae

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Felis domesticusPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy Erica Tadajewski

     The Turkish Van is an ancient breed with a friendly, lively disposition.

    This is a very social breed that develops a great fondness for its owners. They are very playful and tend to "teach" the owners; many know how to play fetch and will drop toys at your feet until you join the game. The Turkish Van is an excellent family cat.

    This is one of the very few cat breeds that will gladly accompany its owner in the water. The breed exhibits a natural affinity for water and is often called the "swimming cat". This is also one of the few long-haired breeds that requires little grooming.

Common Name(s)     Turkish Van Cat, Van Cat, Turkish Cat, Turkish Swimming Cat, Van Kedi.

Background     Turkish Vans are one of the oldest natural breeds. They come from the Lake Van Region of Turkey. Roman shields have been found in Turkey with the image of Vans on them. Even earlier, some Hittite coins were stamped with the likeness of these cats. This breed's ancient roots give way to an interesting legend that suggests a more spiritual history.
     A Turkish folktale states that the Turkish Van was one of the many animals housed in Noah's Ark. When the ark landed on Mount Ararat, and the waters receded, the cats exited the ark and made their way down the mountain to the city of Van. The legend claims that the auburn patch of hair on the Turkish Van's head is a result of being blessed by Allah as they left the Ark.
     Though the Turkish Vans have been well known pets in the Van region in Turkey for many centuries, they were discovered by Western cat enthusiasts only recently in 1955. Two kittens, Van Attala and Van GĂĽzelli IskendrĂĽn, were first acquired by two British photographers, Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday while they were visiting the Van region. They were taken back to Britain, and the process of making them officially recognized by cat fanciers began. This process took 14 years, and they were finally recognized in Britain in 1969. This breed did not arrive in America until 1982, and was not officially registered until 1985.

Description     They are a semi-long haired cat with a water repellant coat that has a cashmere texture and is described as wash and wear. This breed has no undercoat, which gives it a sleek appearance. The head is a broad wedge shape with a medium-length nose. The eyes are moderately large and rounded. The ears are also moderately large and slightly rounded. The legs are moderately long with the hind legs being longer than the forelegs. The tail is long. They are a medium to large sized cat, females tend to be 9-12 lbs and males tend to be between 14-18 lbs. The lifespan of this breed is 9 to15 years.
    They are chalk white with color on their head and tail and some are solid white. They have many colorations with white such as red, black, blue, cream and brown tabby. The females can also be black tortie/torbie or blue tortie/torbie. In Turkey, the all-white, odd-eyed cat is the preferred color type, while in Western shows, it is preferred to have a cat with auburn markings on the head. They can have amber, blue or odd-eyes (one amber and one blue).

Care and Feeding     The Turkish Van requires no special diet.

Housing Your Cat     This breed enjoys the outdoors, especially areas with water, but is also able to adapt to apartment life.

Maintenance     Unlike many long-haired breeds, the Turkish Van requires only a weekly brushing.

Social Behaviors     Previous lines of this breed have been known to be aggressive, but those characteristics have been selectively eliminated, leaving an affectionate, friendly breed, especially toward other cats.

Activities     Turkish Vans are moderately playful and active. They love swimming.

Breeding/Reproduction     Average litter size 4 or 5 kittens.

Common Health Problems     They are a naturally healthy breed with no known breed specific health problems.

Availability     This is a rare breed, but breeders can be located on the internet. For a pet kitten be prepared to spend between $500.00 and $650.00 for one of these treasured cats to join your household.

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Latest Comments
I have two adult van cats that I am desperately looking for new loving homes! We have to downsize from our house and moving back to an apartment. I am unable to take them with me... I am originally from Turkey and brought them back with me to the States (Oregon) before it was outlawed to export these cats out of the country since they are now classified as endangered. If you are interested, please contact me..... I know I cannot add my email address here, so please check the craigslist pet listings for Oregon portland. you will see my ad there! Thanks! Ufuk 2009-06-17
OMG, it is the most huggable, lovable cat ever! I so want one! huntress 2009-04-01

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