Other Name
The Turkish Van is nicknamed the "swimming cat" for his love of water. It’s not unusual to find him splashing in ponds, pools or any other water he can find. This is a smart, active, loving cat with a silky, medium-length coat that is easy to groom. Most Vans are white with color on the head and tail. The Turkish Van is a large, muscular, well-built cat with a moderately long body and tail. It has strong, broad shoulders and a short neck; the jock of the cat world. The body of a Van should neither be stocky, or thin. It should call to mind the body build of an athlete, and indeed, it is one of the largest cats, growing to a mature weight of up to 18 pounds for a male, eight pounds for a female.
The Van takes his name from Lake Van, located in the mountains of Turkey’s eastern Anatolian region, where he was first known. He probably existed there for centuries, protected by his isolation from the rest of the world. Westerners first discovered the Van in the mid-1950s by photographers Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday. They were given a pair of kittens during their trip and were amazed to see them take to ponds or streams for a swim any time they stopped for a rest. When they took the cats back to England with them, there was interest in the breed, but the cats were rare even in Turkey. Fortunately, breeders have taken care to preserve them. In Turkey, they are considered national treasures. Turkish Vans were not brought to the United States until 1982, although The International Cat Association recognized them in 1979. They are also recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association and other cat registries.
