The cat known in the United States as the Turkish Van is a rare and ancient breed that developed in central and southwest Asia, which today encompasses the countries of Iran, Iraq, southwest Soviet Union and eastern Turkey. “Van” is a common term in the region that has been given to a number of towns, villages. So it is no surprise that the uniquely patterned cat native to the region was named the “Vancat” by the residents.

Other Names

Turkish Swimming Cat

Native Country

Turkey

Breed Description

Head: Medium to large in size, at least as long as it is wide. Rounded contours. No angles or straight lines. High cheekbones. Full, rounded muzzle. Nose with slight stop, then delicately hooked. Considerable whisker pinch. Slightly rounded chin.
Eyes: Large, shaped like a walnut or peach pit, set slightly at a slant. Eyelids outlined in pink. Color: blue, amber, or heterochromatic. Green is allowed, but amber is preferred.
Neck: Short and strong.
Body: Long, large, strong. Rounded rib cage. Fairly broad hips. Large-boned, well-developed muscles.
Paw: Moderately long. Hind legs longer than forelegs. Medium-boned, well-muscled. Round paws. Dense tufts of hair between the toes.
Tail: Moderately long, thick, well-furnished, fluffy, or plumed. Hair must be at least 5 cm long. The color is even along the entire tail.
Coat: Semilong to long, soft, silky hair without woolly undercoat. Ruff and britches well-furnished in winter. Pure white coat. Reddish-brown (auburn) or cream symmetrical markings at the base of the ears separated by a white blaze. Another colored patch running from the croup to the tip of the tail. The arrangement of these markings is called a “van” pattern. Main recognized colors: red and white, cream and white.
Fault: More than three colored patches on the body. No blaze on the face. Markings unevenly distributed. Tail color starting too far up the back. Disqualify: bicolor and solid patterns. Absence of coloring on the ears and tail.

History

The Turkish Van's ancestors lived near Lake Van in eastern Turkey. Crusaders returning from the Middle East took the breed to Europe, where it became known by various names, including White Ringtail and Russian Longhair. The breed came to the United States in the late 1960s, and serious breeding programs began in the early 1980s. The Turkish Van is a more massive variety of Turkish Angora. The G.C.C.F. and the F.I.Fe. recognized the breed in 1969. By 1982, the Turkish Van arrived in the United States, where the C.F.A. and T.I.C.A. approved it. Nevertheless, this breed is quite uncommon in Europe.

Behavior

This particularly hardy, sturdy, very lively cat loves to swim. Although the breed was once reputed to be aggressive, selective breeding has made Turkish Vans friendly, especially toward other cats. Independent, playful, and with a strong character, they are very affectionate and often possessive toward their owner. They are excellent companions and have a moderately loud voice. They grow slowly and take three to five years to reach their full beauty. They require only weekly brushing, except during considerable pre-summer shedding. Vans are very independent, but affectionate. They tend to bond strongly to one or two people in a family. They are social and remain active well into old age. They are inconsistent travelers; some travel well, but others are prone to serious carsickness.