Turkish Van

The Turkish Van is a semi-longhaired domestic cat breed developed from cats associated with eastern Turkey, especially the Lake Van region. Its classic pattern is a mostly white body with color limited mainly to the head and tail, although standards and accepted colors vary by registry. Turkish Vans are substantial, broad-chested cats with strong hindquarters, a full brush tail, and a cashmere-like coat that changes with the seasons. Their reputation for interest in water is common, but individuals vary widely.

This breed suits people who want an active, physical cat and can provide climbing furniture, play, and sturdy household boundaries. The coat has little undercoat, yet heavy shedding periods call for more combing, especially along the flanks and tail. Because the gene pool is limited in many countries, breeding decisions should favor health, temperament, and verified ancestry over simply producing the van color pattern, which also appears in ordinary domestic cats. Kittens should be handled early and placed in homes prepared for a strong companion.

Colors: Bicolor, Black, Blue, Blue Point, Brown, Calico, Chocolate, Chocolate Point, Cinnamon, Classic Tabby, Cream, Cream Point, Dilute Calico, Dilute Tortoiseshell, Fawn, Flame Point, Golden, Harlequin, Lilac, Lilac Point, Lynx Point, Mackerel Tabby, Mink, Pointed, Red, Seal Point, Sepia, Shaded, Shell, Silver, Smoke, Spotted Tabby, Tabby, Ticked Tabby, Torbie, Tortoiseshell, Van, Van Pattern, White, White and Black, White and Blue, White and Cream, White and Red, White and Tabby, White and Tortie