Detailed description of Turkish van
Turkish van is a medium-sized, well built cat that at a first glance resembles Turkish angora. Although both breeds originate from the same country, they differ quite significantly.
Genesis
The history of the breed begins in Turkey, where for years cats have been shaped by natural conditions of the environment. Living in close proximity to Lake Van, cats were forced to fish for their food, which resulted in a strong fascination with water. In 1950 the breed came to Europe, specifically Great Britain, where the first breeding programmes in history were established. As crossbreeding was prohibited in the breeding of Turkish van, modern-day Turkish van cats are directly connected to their Turkish ancestors. The breed is currently protected in Turkey and the breeding programme is rigorous. In 1969 the breed was officially recognised by FIFe.
Appearance
At first glance Turkish van resembles Turkish angora. Turkish van cats are medium in size and build rather muscularly. The triangularly shaped head is adorned with ears that are wide at the base and slightly rounded at the tip. Turkish van cats' fur is medium in length, silky, and during spring and summer months completely lacks the undercoat. During winter, to provide the cat with more protection against the cold, the fur gets thicker and more fluffy. One of the most distinctive features of this breed is most definitely the coat colour. Turkish van cats have white fur with coloured markings on their head and tails. The colourful fur cannot cover more than 20% of the cat's body.
Behaviour
Turkish van is a breed of intelligent cats. You can teach them many tricks. Cats of this breed are quite lively and temperamental, with a strong hunting instinct. Cats of this breed tend to stay physically active longer than most other breeds. These cats love to play and explore their surroundings. They are generally not afraid of strangers but tend to keep their distance. Turkish van cats usually form a tight bond with a single human. Turkish van cats are rather talkative — they have a vast collection of noises in their vocabulary to get their caretakers' attention.
Requirements
During autumn and winter, the coat of a Turkish van gets more fluffy and it is advised to brush your cat daily. This will greatly reduce the risk of hairballs forming in your cat's digestive system. A strong hunting instinct requires proper stimulation — Turkish van cats will gladly hunt outside. If you do not have access to a garden or a balcony, you can use your cat's toys as bait and play with him. Turkish van cats love water — always keep an eye on your cat when playing in or in close proximity of water.
Daily care
Turkish van cats do not require any special care regime. During spring and summer, you can get away with brushing your cat once a week. Don't forget the tail — the long and bushy tail needs to be brushed from time to time. Turkish van cats have thick fur between their fingers — clean your cat's paws to get rid of excess litter or any dirt. Don't forget to trim your cat's claws to prevent them from snagging on carpets and furniture.
