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The Turkish Van is a stunning feline with a silky, white coat and distinctively colored head and tail. Believed to originate from the Lake Van area in eastern Turkey, this breed is as beautiful as it is unique. Dive into these seven fascinating facts about this captivating cat.
1. THE TURKISH VAN IS PROBABLY AN ANCIENT BREED ...
InkeriSiltala via Flickr//CC BY NC-ND 2.0
The true origins of the Turkish Van, like many cat breeds, remain shrouded in mystery. Legend has it that the ancestors of the Turkish Van were passengers on Noah’s Ark. When the ark settled near Mount Ararat—a volcanic peak in eastern Turkey often linked to the Biblical story—the cats leaped off and swam to shore. As a reward, God blessed them, leaving his mark by giving their white fur its distinctive patterns. These cats are said to be the forebears of the Turkish Van breed.
In reality, the Turkish Van likely originated in central and southwest Asia. For centuries, these cats are thought to have inhabited the remote Lake Van region of Turkey, a mountainous area surrounding the country’s largest lake. Local folklore, traditional songs, and ancient artifacts all mention the cat and its unique markings. The breed has also been sighted in nearby regions, including Iran, Iraq, and parts of the former Soviet Union.
2. ... BUT THE BREED ONLY GAINED RECOGNITION IN AMERICA RECENTLY.
Inkeri Siltala via Flickr//CC BY NC-ND 2.0
The Turkish Van eventually made its way from Turkey to central Europe, possibly through merchants, explorers, soldiers, or Crusaders returning home in the late 13th century. However, the breed didn’t gain global attention until the 1950s, when two British women, Laura Lushington and Sonia Halliday, were photographing Lake Van for the Turkish Tourist Board. As a token of gratitude, they were gifted a pair of unrelated red-and-white cats. Lushington brought them to England, began breeding them, and later imported more cats from Turkey to expand the lineage.
Over time, the breed was officially registered with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF). Initially referred to as “Turkish cats,” the name was later updated to Turkish Van to distinguish it from the Turkish Angora breed. (Throughout history, the Turkish Van has also been referred to by several other names.) By 1969, the GCCF awarded the Van full championship status.
The exact timeline of how Turkish Vans arrived in America remains unclear, but in the early 1980s, breeders Barbara and Jack Reark imported two of these cats from France, playing a key role in establishing the breed in the U.S. By 1985, The International Cat Association (TICA) acknowledged the Van, and the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) did the same in 1994.
The Turkish Van remains quite rare in America, making it a challenge to find a breeder who offers these elegant cats. In 2013, CFA registration data indicated that the Turkish Van was the 41st most popular breed out of the 43 recognized by the organization, largely due to its limited presence in the U.S.
3. THE TURKISH VAN IS SAFEGUARDED IN ITS HOMELAND.
Despite its cherished status in Turkey, a 1992 survey found that only 92 purebred Turkish Vans remained in the Lake Van region. To preserve and expand the breed, the Turkish government formally recognized the Van and implemented protective measures, with a local university initiating breeding programs. Today, very few Turkish Vans are sent abroad, and most breeding stock in America originates from Europe.
4. THE PHRASE "VAN MARKINGS" ORIGINATED FROM THE TURKISH VAN'S DISTINCTIVE COAT.
Chris via Flickr//CC BY-SA 2.0
Cat enthusiasts are likely familiar with the term Van markings, which refers to a predominantly white cat with colored patches limited to its head and tail. This term was first used to describe the Turkish Van’s unique coat pattern. The Van’s markings can appear in various colors, such as red, cream, black, and blue, and in patterns like tabby and tortoiseshell [PDF]. Cat registries have specific guidelines on how much color can appear on the white areas of the Van’s body before it’s classified as a bicolor cat rather than a Turkish Van. For instance, the CFA permits only 15 percent of the body, excluding the head and tail, to be colored.
There are also solid white Turkish Vans, as well as those with a colored patch between their shoulder blades, often called the “Mark of Allah” by cat enthusiasts.
Beyond its markings, the Van is celebrated for its luxurious fur. It boasts a fluffy tail and a silky, semi-long coat that repels water. The coat is thick and full in winter, sheds to a shorter length in summer, and lacks an undercoat, making it resistant to tangles and easy to maintain. This fur covers a strong, muscular body, which some sources say can weigh between 7 to 20 pounds.
5. TURKISH VAN CATS CAN HAVE UNUSUALLY COLORED EYES.
Turkish Van kittens are born with light blue eyes that gradually deepen into a richer blue or amber as they mature. Some Vans may even have one amber eye and one blue eye, or two blue eyes with different shades. This distinctive feature is caused by the piebald white spotting gene, which can sometimes inhibit melanin from coloring one of the cat’s irises.
6. TURKISH VAN CATS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR AFFINITY FOR WATER.
gadgetgirl via Flickr//CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
Turkish Vans are often nicknamed “the swimming cats” due to their reputed love for water. Enthusiasts of the breed report seeing these cats leap into showers, play with dripping faucets, and enjoy splashing in puddles, kiddie pools, and even during rainstorms.
The reason behind the Turkish Van’s fondness for water remains a mystery, though it’s speculated that their swimming ability and water-resistant coat evolved to help them fish in Lake Van. However, these theories are unproven, so unless your Van has shown a clear love for water, it’s wise to trim its claws before attempting a bath.
7. THE TURKISH VAN IS AN ENERGETIC AND PLAYFUL BREED.
If you prefer a calm, affectionate lap cat, the Turkish Van may not suit you. However, if you’re seeking an energetic and playful companion that enjoys games, climbing to high places, and zooming around the house, the Van could be the perfect match.
