Turkish Van

Substantial

Coat

Solid:
Smoke/Shaded/Chinchilla: Any of the above, smoke pattern only.
Tortoishell: Black tortie and blue tortie.
Tabby: Brown, blue, red, and cream tabby, and these in silver tabby are accepted. Heavy tabby is allowed.
Torbie: Brown torbie, blue torbie, and these in silver tabby are accepted.
White Patterns: All catz must always have in the van pattern. The markings on the head should ideally be split in two by a white stripe. The cat may have up to 20% of colour on its body in the form of random small markings, but this is not preferred - large patches are a DQ.

Eyes


Light gold is the most preferred shade. The further from gold, the less preferred the eye colour.
May have one or two

Nose

Matches surrounding coat.

Faults

Unattractive/asymmetrical markings on head or body. Ice blue eyes. Up to 20% of colour on the body.

Disqualifications

Chocolate, lilac, cinnamon or fawn. Large body patches.

Varieties

None

Notes

Perhaps known best for the white pattern that it lent its name to, the Turkish Van is an ancient breed of cat. It is a natural breed from the rugged, remote, and climatically varied region of the Middle East, particularly from the area around Lake Van in Turkey. The first Vans to leave Turkey arrived in England in 1955, although they did not arrive in the United States until 1982. While some have mistaken them for being a colour variety of the Angora, the two breeds come from geographically distinct regions of Turkey and have very different type. It is a solidly-built, semi-longhaired cat with great breadth to the chest. They are very intelligent and alert cats, and feel more secure and handle better with all four feet on a solid surface, although they also have a popular reputation as swimming cats. Even today, the Van remains a rare breed both at home and abroad; interestingly, most Turkish people describe the ideal “vankedisi” (literally meaning Van Cat, in Turkish) as solid white with odd eyes rather than white with a coloured tail and ears.

Type & judging remarks
It is a solidly-built, semi-longhaired cat with great breadth to the chest. The strength and power of the cat is proven by its substantial body and legs.

Breed Files

Filename: Turkish Van
Offset: FC0C
Base: Calico
SCP: Tabby
Accepted: March 28, 2011
Notes: Version 2 of the Supernova file. Four tail variations.

Filename: TurkishVanP
Offset: 9AB6
Base: Russian Blue
SCP: Russian Blue
Accepted: January 5, 2006
Notes: Several colour variations.

Filename: Turkish van
Offset: FC0C
Base: Calico
SCP: Tabby
Accepted: December 14, 2005
Notes: Includes two coat lengths, and tail can be up (default PF Magic tail) or down (addballs).

Filename: TurkishVanP
Offset: 9AB6
Base: Russian Blue
SCP: Russian Blue
Accepted: December 12, 2005
Notes: Updated outlines, jowls and feet.