Turkish Van

Coat and looks how to spot one

semi-long, single coat with no undercoat, cashmere-like texture

A big, strong, athletic cat with a long sturdy body, broad chest and a well-furred tail. The single-layer coat feels like cashmere or rabbit fur, lies smooth and is remarkably good at shedding water and dirt. It changes with the seasons: short and light in summer, noticeably longer in winter with a fuller neck ruff and tail brush. Most cats wear the classic 'Van pattern', a white body with colour limited to the head and tail, and eyes may be amber, blue or one of each.432716

Personality what they are like

A lively, bright and loyal cat with a clownish streak. Vans like to stay close to their people and follow them around, but most prefer sitting beside you to being picked up or held for long, and they like affection on their own terms. They are chatty in some lines and soft-voiced in others (GCCF likens the voice to a sheep's bleat). Curious and quick to learn, they enjoy fetch and interactive games, and they usually get on well with dogs and with respectful older children once settled.432751

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Very high. Vans love to climb, leap, run and play, and are rarely found at floor level for long. They catch toys in mid-air, retrieve, and enjoy water play. Daily interactive play, puzzle feeders and plenty of high perches help channel their energy.3256

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Easy for a semi-longhair: a weekly comb is usually enough, with a few extra sessions in winter when the coat is fuller and during seasonal shedding. The coat does not tangle easily. Regular nail trims, ear checks and tooth brushing round out the routine; baths are rarely needed, though many Vans do not mind water.4325

Home where they are happiest

A home with lots of vertical territory, such as tall cat trees and shelves, plus plenty of toys. Vans like to be up high and may clear items from shelves in play, so fragile things are best put away.526

Food basics what goes in the bowl

A complete, balanced cat food as part of a regular routine. Puzzle and food-dispensing toys are a good way to add mental exercise to mealtimes for this busy breed.56

Company who they like around

Strongly attached to its family and likes to be near them, though not usually a lap cat. Generally friendly with dogs and other pets; with young children, an introduction and supervision are advised, as Vans prefer gentle, respectful handling.7543

The story where it all began

Longhaired cats with white bodies and coloured heads and tails have lived for centuries around Lake Van in the mountains of eastern Turkey, where locals value them highly and the all-white form is seen as the true Van cat. The pedigree breed began in 1955 (GCCF says 1954), when British photographers Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday were given two unrelated kittens while working in Turkey. Lushington took them to England, and when their kittens came out looking just like the parents, with chalk-white bodies and dark head and tail markings, she set about building a breed; the founders later turned out to come from several Turkish towns rather than Lake Van itself. The GCCF granted full status in 1969 under the name 'Turkish cat', later changed to Turkish Van to avoid confusion with the Turkish Angora. Barbara and Jack Reark brought Vans to the USA from France and the Netherlands in 1983; CFA accepted the breed in 1988 and gave it championship status in 1994, and TICA had already granted championship status earlier. The breed remains fairly rare, even in Turkey.124378

Recognised by the official bits

GCCF

Championship status 1969 (first as the 'Turkish cat'); the all-white Turkish Vankedisi is recognised alongside it2

CFA

Accepted for registration 1988, championship status 1994; Van pattern only4

TICA

Championship status; TICA gives June 1979, Wikipedia gives 1985. Solid white (Van Kedi) also accepted3

FIFe

Fully recognised, Category 1, code TUV (standard updated 2024)9