Turkish Van cats are relatively rare in the UK, ranking 45th of the 46 cat breeds registered with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) . One of the larger cat breeds, Turkish Vans are athletic and muscular, and surprisingly for a cat, have a reputation for enjoying a dip in water. Could a ‘Turkish Swimming Cat’ be the right breed of cat for you?
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History
In 1955, a couple of British photographers were on assignment in Turkey and when they returned home, they brought a pair of cats back with them. The two cats were unrelated, but shared a similar look – white, with a distinctive coloured head and tail. When the kittens of these two cats were born, they were identical to their parents. The couple decided to establish a standardised breed, importing a few more cats from Turkey to expand the gene pool. The breed was given full pedigree status in 1969, at first being known as the ‘Turkish cat’. Later, to distinguish the breed from the Turkish Angora and the Turkish Vankedisi, they were given the name ‘Turkish Van.’
Looks
They are a large, strong breed of cat, with males weighing up to 8kg when fully mature. Their coat is of medium length, chalk white, with a darker colouring on the head and tail. Their eyes may be blue or amber.
Personality
This is a breed for those who really enjoy playing with their cat, devising games and activities to keep their intelligent and active companion busy. With their powerful build and agility, Turkish Van cats need a lot of play and exercise. They have been known to scale tall fences (and bookcases, beware)! They will show off their incredible somersaulting ability when chasing a toy and can even be taught to play a game of fetch.
Whether the Turkish Van cat truly enjoys swimming more than any other cat breed is perhaps an open question, but anecdotally some owners do feel they have a heightened curiosity for water.
This breed can be good with children and other pets but only if properly socialised with them during the crucial kitten socialisation period of 2-7 weeks of age.
Care
A Turkish Van cat’s coat will need to be brushed at least a couple of times a week, preferably daily. Grooming should begin from early kittenhood so that they will happily enjoy being brushed throughout the rest of their lives. Places to climb, interactive toys and feeding puzzles will keep this clever and active breed happy. Access to the outdoors is also preferred; a secure garden or purpose-built cat run could be ideal.
Health and hereditary disorders
There are no inherent health problems that specifically affect the Turkish Van breed; however, all pedigree cats are at higher risk for disease than the average moggy. This is because gene pools in pedigree cat populations tend to be smaller, which can result in the development of inherited disease. For this reason, it is usually more expensive to insure a pedigree cat, and Turkish Van cats are no exception.
So, do Turkish Van cats make good pets?
If you are looking for a fun-loving, active cat with an inquisitive personality, this breed may be the perfect companion. Turkish Van cats can make excellent pets for an owner willing to engage their cat in regular play and frequent brushing. For peace of mind, pet insurance is advisable. As with any pedigree cat, it’s essential to look for a reputable breeder committed to producing healthy, well-socialised kittens. A helpful resource, The Kitten Checklist, has been created to help guide decision making when it comes to buying a kitten.
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