Turkish Van Cat Breed Information Breeders Kittens Australia

The Turkish Van cat is a breed with a difference. Not only is it known for its plush white coat, but it is also known for its love of water and swimming—something that sets it well apart from other varieties of cats. The Turkish Van was thought to have originated from the Lake Van area of Turkey, and despite its name is distinct from the Turkish Angora. Turkish Vans became popular in Australia in the 1980s.

The white coat of the Turkish Van makes it instantly distinct from many other varieties of cat. Turkish Vans are usually entirely white with the exception of the tail and head, which can be red in colour. In its native Turkey, however, a Van with red patterning over the body is still acceptable as a breed standard. Other unusual attributes of the Turkish Van include its fluffy fox-like tail and the fact that many Vans have eyes that differ in colour from each other. This condition, where one iris is a different colour from the other, is known as “heterochromia iridis”. It is also found in the Turkish Angora breed.

While Vans are traditionally all-white, some Vans exhibit unusual coat markings. One is a “thumbprint”-style mark on the breed's back. This mark was traditionally thought to be a sign of good luck.

The Turkish Van is not only set apart by the distinct colouring of its coat, but also by the texture of its coat. In summer, the breed has a short coat that is very soft to the touch, while in the winter months a thick and long-haired coat begins to appear. Unusually, the tail always retains its plump, fox-like appearance.

The Turkish Van is a large cat, and is known for having a body that angles forward, making it built for swimming. The breed is typically strong and muscular, with a neck that is comparatively shorter than other breeds. They are a heavy cat, with males averaging around 7 kilograms in weight, and sometimes reaching a length of up to a metre.

The origins and future of the Turkish Van

Like the Turkish Angora, the Turkish Van became popular throughout Europe during the 1500s. At the time, these breeds were highly unusual due to their unique and distinct coats. Turkish Vans are currently a protected breed, with their line being preserved by the Turkish Government. This is because, like Turkish Angoras, they are a “natural” breed of cat, rather than one that has been deliberately bred. Unfortunately, the Turkish Van population worldwide is on the decline, and despite concerted efforts to protect them there remain very few Vans, particularly in their native Turkey.

Vans around the home

While Turkish Vans are sought after due to their unusual appearance, they can be very energetic and robust, making them a pet best suited to experienced pet owners. However, they're comfortable being left home alone, which makes them a suitable pet for those who are working or who are regularly away from home. Still, because Vans are intelligent and like to be entertained, it's recommended that toys such as scratching posts be provided to reduce potential damage around the home. Because Vans have a love of water, it's also recommended that they be kept away from water sources such as sinks, baths, and toilets when left home alone!

Vans are natural-born hunters, and will chase after birds and other small animals. For this reason, and the fact that they're prone to painful sunburn, they're best kept inside. Still, Vans are a large breed by nature, and because they need their space, they're not especially suited to living in a flat. Vans are also a nervous breed by nature, and may respond skittishly to loud or unexpected noises. They also dislike being approached from behind. Turkish Vans typically don't like to travel, either, and many individuals may become ill or distressed when travelling in a car.

Vans are friendly around people, and are fine around children. Vans are also friendly around dogs, and it's often said that they resemble dogs in their temperament: they tend to remain close to their owners and are highly affectionate. Unlike many other varieties of cat, they can be trained to use a leash.

Grooming a Turkish Van

The white coat of a Turkish Van means that Van owners will find their home and clothing regularly coated in white fur. This is particularly the case during shedding periods, where the Vans lose large amounts of their winter coat. In order to stay on top of this shedding, it's recommended that an owner groom their pet thoroughly twice a week.

Inbreeding issues

Like Turkish Angoras, Turkish Vans are prone to problems related to inbreeding. This is because the purebred gene pool for Turkish Vans is very small. This problem can be further exacerbated by the fact that many Turkish Vans that reside in their native Turkey do not have genetic documentation, making it difficult for breeders to make an assessment about the potential health of a mating.