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Featured Breed - Turkish Van

The Turkish Van is a particularly unique and striking feline breed many levels.

Recognized as one of the largest of the domestic cat breeds, Turkish Vans are known to reach up to 20lb. in weight upon full maturity. The breed's large, muscular frame is covered by an extremely soft, predominantly white, semi-longhaired coat, characteristically accented by ring-like markings along their "bottlebrush" tail and head region. Large paws and a wedge-shaped head framed by a mane-like ruff and adorned with two large, round eyes in a golden, amber, green, blue, or even bi-eyed tone are also customary.

Roots of the Turkish Van breed's ancestry can be traced back for many centuries through both the imagery depicted on Hittite jewelry, as well as, on inscriptions found on armor worn by the Romans during battle. These cats have been protected and regarded as a national treasure in their homeland of Turkey for centuries; valued for their beauty, character, and additional affinity for affection. It was until the mid-20th Century that these cats remained virtually unheard of outside their Turkish country of origin. In 1955, two British women worked to cultivate the foundation stock of the breed after finding them to be of a naturally occurring type.

Since the breed's registry with the CFA in the year 1994, Turkish Vans have consistently ranked as one of the club's rarest feline breeds registered, with an average of less than 100 kittens born each year! Also sometimes referred to as the, "swimming cat," "Van Cat," "Turkish Cat," "White Ringtail," or, "Russian Longhair," these cats own a notoriously curious, yet, aloof and independent nature, and, yes... they love to swim!