Turkish Van

The Turkish Van cat is an ancient breed hailing from the area in Asia that currently encompasses southwest Russia, eastern Turkey, and Iran and Iraq. This breed was originally known simply as the Turkish Cat, but its name was changed to prevent confusion between it and the popular Turkish Angora cat. The Turkish Van is a natural breed, meaning no breeding program was started to create them, unlike many of today’s popular cat breeds. There are still Turkish Van cats “in the wild” in eastern Turkey, though there are considerably less of them than there used to be. The Turkish government classifies them as  a protected species.

Turkish Van cats are easily recognized by their coat patterns, with reddish patches on their heads and fluffy tails and a solid white body. The Turkish Van is a semi-longhaired cat breed, with a coat that is thick and water resistant, but also very soft. Adult Turkish Van cats grow an even thicker, long coat in the winter months. And in the warmer summer months, the long hairs shed off, leaving a shorter coat – though the fur is still very soft and plush.

Turkish vans are large cats, with very broad shoulders and a wide chest. The shoulders are broader than any point on the hind quarters. Turkish Van cats have blue eyes or amber eyes, or, one of each – which isn’t unusual for this breed. These cats will take 3 to 5 years to reach maturity and be fully grown. Turkish Vans are a strong and intelligent breed, and as their coats don’t matt, they make a very low maintenance pet.

Probably the most interesting and unique characteristic of Turkish Van cats  is their love of water. They are sometimes called the “swimming cat”, and do posses the broad-shouldered build of a good swimmer.