| Revision as of 14:56, 27 September 2004 editLachatdelarue (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users3,617 editsm changed copy of image← Previous edit | Revision as of 20:56, 27 September 2004 edit undoPschemp (talk | contribs)Administrators20,808 edits added sections, content, rearrangedNext edit → | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
| !Notes | !Notes | ||
| |- align=center | |- align=center | ||
| | |
|Occurs naturally in the Lake Van<br> region of Turkey | ||
| |} | |} | ||
| <!-- end of breed table --> | <!-- end of breed table --> | ||
| Turkish |
The '''Turkish Van''' is a rare, naturally occurring ] of ] originally found in the ] region of southeastern ]. The word ''van'' refers to their color pattern, where the color is restricted to the head and the tail, and the rest of the cat is white. The piebald white spotting gene is responsible for this pattern and appears in many different species (like the ] and ]). It also shows up in the common house cat, so a cat that shows this color pattern but is not registered or from Lake Van, is called a "Vanalike". | ||
| ==Characteristics== | |||
| The coat on a Van is considered semi-longhaired. While many cats have three distinct hair types in their coat, ]s, ]s and ]hairs, the Turkish Van only has one. This makes their coat feel like cashmere or bunny fur and it dries quickly. Lake Van is a region of temperature extremes and the cats have evolved a coat that grows thick in the winter with a large ruff and bottlebrush tail for the harsh winters and then sheds out short in the body for the warm summers. The full tail is kept year round. | The coat on a Van is considered semi-longhaired. While many cats have three distinct hair types in their coat, ]s, ]s and ]hairs, the Turkish Van only has one. This makes their coat feel like cashmere or bunny fur and it dries quickly. Lake Van is a region of temperature extremes and the cats have evolved a coat that grows thick in the winter with a large ruff and bottlebrush tail for the harsh winters and then sheds out short in the body for the warm summers. The full tail is kept year round. | ||
| ⚫ | The Van is one of the larger cat breeds. The males can reach 20 lbs and the females weigh about half of that. They have massive paws and rippling hard muscle structure which allows them to be very strong jumpers. Vans can easily hit the top of a refrigerator from a cold start on the floor. They are slow to mature and this process can take 3-5 years. Also, their fetching skills are quite good and they are quick to learn. | ||
| ⚫ | Another interesting trait is their fascination with water. Vans are also called the "Swimming Cats" since they have been known to take a dip in Lake Van in their native country. They may have acquired this trait due to the very hot summers and have extremely waterproof coats that make bathing a challenge. Most Vans in the US are indoor cats and don't have access to large bodies of water but their love and curiosity of water stays with them. Instead of swimming they stir their water bowls and invent fishing games in |
||
| ⚫ | Another interesting trait is their fascination with water. Vans are also called the "Swimming Cats" since they have been known to take a dip in Lake Van in their native country. They may have acquired this trait due to the very hot summers and have extremely waterproof coats that make bathing them a challenge. Most Vans in the US are indoor cats and don't have access to large bodies of water but their love and curiosity of water stays with them. Instead of swimming they stir their water bowls and invent fishing games in the toilet. | ||
| ==Breed Standards== | |||
| ⚫ | Breed standards allow for one or more body spots as long as there is no more than 20% color and the cat does not give the appearance of a bicolor. Although red tabby and white is the classic van color, the color on a van's head and tail can be one of the following: Red, Cream, Black, Blue, Red Tabby, Cream Tabby, Brown Tabby, Blue Tabby, ], Dilute Tortoise, Brown Patched Tabby, Blue patched Tabby and any other color not showing evidence of hybridization with the pointed cats. (], ] etc...) | ||
| ==Preservation== | |||
| Turkish Vans are a naturally occurring breed of cat. They can still be found in ], near Lake Van. Their numbers have diminished, but both the Vans and the ], (which is a separate breed with different characteristics from the western part of Turkey) are under the protection of the Turkish government and are raised in captivity at the zoo in ]. The genetic traits of the cats have not been modified from their street cat origin and breeding programs seek to preserve their unique combination of athleticism and loyalty. | Turkish Vans are a naturally occurring breed of cat. They can still be found in ], near Lake Van. Their numbers have diminished, but both the Vans and the ], (which is a separate breed with different characteristics from the western part of Turkey) are under the protection of the Turkish government and are raised in captivity at the zoo in ]. The genetic traits of the cats have not been modified from their street cat origin and breeding programs seek to preserve their unique combination of athleticism and loyalty. | ||
| Vans are sometimes confused with Turkish Angoras although a side-by-side comparison reveals vastly different characteristics. Angoras are named after Ankara (Angora) and developed separately from the Vans. Angoras also carry the deafness gene associated with blue-eyed cats while Vans do not. Van eye color can be Amber, Blue or Odd (one each, Amber and Blue) but Vans with two blue eyes are not deaf. Also |
Vans are sometimes confused with Turkish Angoras, although a side-by-side comparison reveals vastly different characteristics. Angoras are named after Ankara (Angora) and developed separately from the Vans. Angoras also carry the deafness gene associated with blue-eyed cats while Vans do not. Van eye color can be Amber, Blue or Odd (one each, Amber and Blue) but Vans with two blue eyes are not deaf. Also, the Turks sometimes refer to a cat named the ] (Kedi is Turkish for cat) but it is described as an all white cat and is probably not a Turkish Van. | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ==Origins== | |||
| Turkish Vans have been living in their native Turkey for thousands of years and various references through history show this. The classic red tabby and white pattern gives the cat a ringtail appearance and has been found depicted on ] shields of antiquity. | Turkish Vans have been living in their native Turkey for thousands of years and various references through history show this. The classic red tabby and white pattern gives the cat a ringtail appearance and has been found depicted on ] shields of antiquity. | ||
| In 1955 two British women, Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday, saw Vans in Turkey for the first time and decided to bring them home. They immediately bred true, confirming they are a true natural breed. A quote from Laura Lushington from the Complete Cat Encyclopedia edited by Grace Pond and published in 1972: | In 1955 two British women, Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday, saw Vans in Turkey for the first time and decided to bring them home. They immediately bred true, confirming they are a true natural breed. A quote from Laura Lushington from the ''Complete Cat Encyclopedia'', edited by Grace Pond and published in 1972: | ||
| “One of the two accepted breeds in Turkey, the Van Cat is now known in Britain as the Turkish Cat. Originating in the Lake Van area of southeastern Turkey, these cats have been domesticated for centuries (in fact for as long as the famous ] Hound); they are much loved and prized by the Turks for their exceptional character and unique colouring. Apart from their great capacity for affection and alert intelligence, their outstanding characteristic is their liking for water, not normally regarded as a feline attribute. They not only dabble in water and play with it, but have been known to enter ponds and even horse-troughs for a swim – they soon became famous as the ‘swimming cats.’ I was first given a pair of Van kittens in 1955 while traveling in Turkey, and decided to bring them back to England, although touring by car and mainly camping at the time – the fact that they survived in good condition showed up the great adaptability and intelligence of their breed in trying circumstances. Experience showed that they bred absolutely true. They were not known in Britain at that time and, because they make such intelligent and charming pets, I decided to try to establish the breed, and to have it recognized officially in Britain by the ]” | “One of the two accepted breeds in Turkey, the Van Cat is now known in Britain as the Turkish Cat. Originating in the Lake Van area of southeastern Turkey, these cats have been domesticated for centuries (in fact for as long as the famous ] Hound); they are much loved and prized by the Turks for their exceptional character and unique colouring. Apart from their great capacity for affection and alert intelligence, their outstanding characteristic is their liking for water, not normally regarded as a feline attribute. They not only dabble in water and play with it, but have been known to enter ponds and even horse-troughs for a swim – they soon became famous as the ‘swimming cats.’ I was first given a pair of Van kittens in 1955 while traveling in Turkey, and decided to bring them back to England, although touring by car and mainly camping at the time – the fact that they survived in good condition showed up the great adaptability and intelligence of their breed in trying circumstances. Experience showed that they bred absolutely true. They were not known in Britain at that time and, because they make such intelligent and charming pets, I decided to try to establish the breed, and to have it recognized officially in Britain by the ]” | ||
| The first Vans were brought to the United States in 1982 and accepted into championship for showing in ] in 1994. Since then, CFA has registered approximately 100 Vans born each year in the US making them one of the rarest cat breeds. However, the gene pool thrives because it is still uses Vans imported from Turkey. Imported Vans have no human breeding intervention and are quite robust. | The first Vans were brought to the United States in 1982 and accepted into championship for showing in ] in 1994. Since then, CFA has registered approximately 100 Vans born each year in the US, making them one of the rarest cat breeds. However, the gene pool thrives because it is still uses Vans imported from Turkey. Imported Vans have no human breeding intervention and are quite robust. | ||
| ⚫ | Breed standards allow for one or more body spots as long as there is no more than 20% color and the cat does not give the appearance of a bicolor. Although red tabby and white is the classic van color, the color on a van's head and tail can be one of the following: Red, Cream, Black, Blue, Red Tabby, Cream Tabby, Brown Tabby, Blue Tabby, ], Dilute Tortoise, Brown Patched Tabby, Blue patched Tabby and any other color not showing evidence of hybridization with the pointed cats. (], ] etc...) | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| ==Vans as pets== | |||
| ⚫ | The Van is one of the larger cat breeds. The males can reach 20 lbs and the females weigh about half of that. They |
||
| Turkish Vans are fabulously intelligent, and will easily take over their home and owners. Vans are people cats that want to be with people wherever they go. They love to play and jump and explore anything in their reach, which is quite large. They are energetic; they play hard and sleep hard. Many Vans are dedicated to fetching their particular object of interest, and some people describe them as "dogs in a cat suit" because of their unusual personalities. | Turkish Vans are fabulously intelligent, and will easily take over their home and owners. Vans are people cats that want to be with people wherever they go. They love to play and jump and explore anything in their reach, which is quite large. They are energetic; they play hard and sleep hard. Many Vans are dedicated to fetching their particular object of interest, and some people describe them as "dogs in a cat suit" because of their unusual personalities. | ||
Revision as of 20:56, 27 September 2004
| Turkish Van |
|---|
 |
| Common Nickname |
| Van, Swimming Cat |
| Country of origin |
| Turkey |
| Breed standards (external links) |
| CFA, ACFA, TICA, ACF, GCCF |
| Notes |
| Occurs naturally in the Lake Van region of Turkey |
The Turkish Van is a rare, naturally occurring breed of cat originally found in the Lake Van region of southeastern Turkey. The word van refers to their color pattern, where the color is restricted to the head and the tail, and the rest of the cat is white. The piebald white spotting gene is responsible for this pattern and appears in many different species (like the horse and ball python). It also shows up in the common house cat, so a cat that shows this color pattern but is not registered or from Lake Van, is called a "Vanalike".
Characteristics
The coat on a Van is considered semi-longhaired. While many cats have three distinct hair types in their coat, guard hairs, awn hairs and downhairs, the Turkish Van only has one. This makes their coat feel like cashmere or bunny fur and it dries quickly. Lake Van is a region of temperature extremes and the cats have evolved a coat that grows thick in the winter with a large ruff and bottlebrush tail for the harsh winters and then sheds out short in the body for the warm summers. The full tail is kept year round.
The Van is one of the larger cat breeds. The males can reach 20 lbs and the females weigh about half of that. They have massive paws and rippling hard muscle structure which allows them to be very strong jumpers. Vans can easily hit the top of a refrigerator from a cold start on the floor. They are slow to mature and this process can take 3-5 years. Also, their fetching skills are quite good and they are quick to learn.
Another interesting trait is their fascination with water. Vans are also called the "Swimming Cats" since they have been known to take a dip in Lake Van in their native country. They may have acquired this trait due to the very hot summers and have extremely waterproof coats that make bathing them a challenge. Most Vans in the US are indoor cats and don't have access to large bodies of water but their love and curiosity of water stays with them. Instead of swimming they stir their water bowls and invent fishing games in the toilet.
Breed Standards
Breed standards allow for one or more body spots as long as there is no more than 20% color and the cat does not give the appearance of a bicolor. Although red tabby and white is the classic van color, the color on a van's head and tail can be one of the following: Red, Cream, Black, Blue, Red Tabby, Cream Tabby, Brown Tabby, Blue Tabby, Tortoiseshell, Dilute Tortoise, Brown Patched Tabby, Blue patched Tabby and any other color not showing evidence of hybridization with the pointed cats. (Siamese, Himalayan etc...)
Preservation
Turkish Vans are a naturally occurring breed of cat. They can still be found in Armenian Turkey, near Lake Van. Their numbers have diminished, but both the Vans and the Turkish Angora, (which is a separate breed with different characteristics from the western part of Turkey) are under the protection of the Turkish government and are raised in captivity at the zoo in Ankara. The genetic traits of the cats have not been modified from their street cat origin and breeding programs seek to preserve their unique combination of athleticism and loyalty.
Vans are sometimes confused with Turkish Angoras, although a side-by-side comparison reveals vastly different characteristics. Angoras are named after Ankara (Angora) and developed separately from the Vans. Angoras also carry the deafness gene associated with blue-eyed cats while Vans do not. Van eye color can be Amber, Blue or Odd (one each, Amber and Blue) but Vans with two blue eyes are not deaf. Also, the Turks sometimes refer to a cat named the Van Kedi (Kedi is Turkish for cat) but it is described as an all white cat and is probably not a Turkish Van.
.jpg)
Origins
Turkish Vans have been living in their native Turkey for thousands of years and various references through history show this. The classic red tabby and white pattern gives the cat a ringtail appearance and has been found depicted on Hittite shields of antiquity.
In 1955 two British women, Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday, saw Vans in Turkey for the first time and decided to bring them home. They immediately bred true, confirming they are a true natural breed. A quote from Laura Lushington from the Complete Cat Encyclopedia, edited by Grace Pond and published in 1972:
“One of the two accepted breeds in Turkey, the Van Cat is now known in Britain as the Turkish Cat. Originating in the Lake Van area of southeastern Turkey, these cats have been domesticated for centuries (in fact for as long as the famous Saluki Hound); they are much loved and prized by the Turks for their exceptional character and unique colouring. Apart from their great capacity for affection and alert intelligence, their outstanding characteristic is their liking for water, not normally regarded as a feline attribute. They not only dabble in water and play with it, but have been known to enter ponds and even horse-troughs for a swim – they soon became famous as the ‘swimming cats.’ I was first given a pair of Van kittens in 1955 while traveling in Turkey, and decided to bring them back to England, although touring by car and mainly camping at the time – the fact that they survived in good condition showed up the great adaptability and intelligence of their breed in trying circumstances. Experience showed that they bred absolutely true. They were not known in Britain at that time and, because they make such intelligent and charming pets, I decided to try to establish the breed, and to have it recognized officially in Britain by the GCCF”
The first Vans were brought to the United States in 1982 and accepted into championship for showing in CFA in 1994. Since then, CFA has registered approximately 100 Vans born each year in the US, making them one of the rarest cat breeds. However, the gene pool thrives because it is still uses Vans imported from Turkey. Imported Vans have no human breeding intervention and are quite robust.
Vans as pets
Turkish Vans are fabulously intelligent, and will easily take over their home and owners. Vans are people cats that want to be with people wherever they go. They love to play and jump and explore anything in their reach, which is quite large. They are energetic; they play hard and sleep hard. Many Vans are dedicated to fetching their particular object of interest, and some people describe them as "dogs in a cat suit" because of their unusual personalities.
External Links
- Turkish Van Breed Profile
- Turkish Van Breed Article
- US Turkish Van Cat Club
- UK Turkish Van Cat Club
- Turkish Van Links and Breeders