What is the personality of a Turkish Van cat?

What is the personality of a Turkish Van cat?

Temperament. Turkish vans are incredibly intelligent, easily trainable cats. They fetch naturally, and will often bring balls to their human companions to initiate games. They can also be trained to walk on a leash or harness fairly easily.

Do Turkish Van cats shed a lot?

The Turkish Van’s coat does not shed much and is easy to groom with weekly combing. The only other grooming required is regular nail trimming and ear cleaning. You may want to bathe him every couple of months, especially if he is white or light-colored.

Are Turkish Van cats rare?

The cat known in the United States as the Turkish Van is a rare and ancient breed that developed in central and southwest Asia, which today encompasses the countries of Iran, Iraq, southwest Soviet Union and eastern Turkey. Even in areas where the breed has been known for centuries, they are still relatively rare.

Do Turkish Van cats meow?

The Van cats like to be involved in everything their owners do and follow them around like a dog. In fact, some people have said that Turkish Vans are more like dogs than cats. They meow loudly when they see their owners in the morning to show their happiness.

How can I tell if my cat is part Turkish Van?

The body of The Turkish Van cat is predominately chalk white with coloured markings on top of the head. The colouring on the head is separated by a vertical white blaze. Occasionally small thumbprints of colour appear on the body. The eyes may be amber or blue or one of each.

Are Turkish Van cats smart?

Turkish Van cats are extremely intelligent and friendly and they make excellent companions. They are lively cats and will enjoy playing games with humans or other cats and so they need stimluaton and a chance to play. Turkish Van cats have soft voices.

Is my kitten a Turkish Van?

You can tell whether a cat is a Turkish Van by carefully examining the animal’s tail. A Turkish Van has a full, brush-like tail. The tail will also be colored. For example, a Turkish van might have a brown, red, gray, or black tail that contrasts with its white coat.

Are Turkish Van cats good pets?

The Turkish Van cat personality is best described as energetic, playful and fun-loving. Turkish Vans like to be cuddled and held on their own terms, though not for long periods of time, and while they’re loving cats, they aren’t very tolerant of people tugging at their tails or trying to pet them.

Are Turkish Van cats deaf?

Van-patterned Turkish Vans are not prone to deafness, because their phenotype is associated with the van pattern (Sv) semi-dominant gene. All white Van cats may share this gene. All three types of cat may exhibit eye colours that are amber, blue or odd. Deafness is principally associated with cats having two blue eyes.

Where can I find a Van cat breed?

While the breed is recognized in countries all over the world, it is predominantly found in its home region in Turkey as it is widely considered as a national treasure there. However, even in Turkey the breed is more often found in the wild than as a domesticated pet. Quick Facts About the Van Cat

Where did the Turkish Van cat come from?

Some cats are more likely than others to be accepting of other pets in the home. Known as the swimming cat for his propensity to play in bodies of water—or at least to enjoy splashing his paws in it—the Turkish Van is an ancient breed thought to have originated in the Lake Van area of Turkey.

How long has the Van cat been around?

Akhtamar Island in Lake Van, houses a 10th century Armenian church called the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Though it’s unclear how long the Van Cat has existed in the area, recent DNA analysis by researchers revealed that cats were domesticated around 10,000 years ago by the first farmers in the Near East.

How big does a Turkish Van cat get?

Unlike many cats, Turkish Vans actually like playing and splashing in water, so consider offering some supervised water play opportunities in the sink or bathtub. The Turkish Van is a large cat. The breed is slow to mature, taking an average of three to five years to finish growing and reach their adult weight of 7 to 20 pounds.