Cat Breeds: Turkish Van
Are you looking to get a new cat soon? Great! You may want to consider a
purebred cat. There are many breeds that can be found in this country, each with its own
characteristic appearance and temperament and history. Think carefully about what you
would characteristics you would like to see in your new companion. Perhaps you would
care to consider:
Turkish Van
A rare and ancient breed of cat, the Turkish Van was depicted on ornaments as far
back as 5,000 B.C. The Turkish Van was so named for its region of origin, central and
southwest Asia. The area includes the modern countries of Iran, Iraq, Armenia, Syria, and
eastern Turkey. Van is a very common name in the area. There is in fact, a Lake Van
which is also Turkey’s largest lake, so it is not surprising that Van was used as part of
this breeds name. In fact, this cat is known sometimes in its lands of origin as the
“Vancat”. Turkish Vans were brought back to Europe by the Crusaders on their return
from the Holy Land. These cats were called several different names during that time
including; white ringtail and Russian Longhair.
The first Turkish Van cats to arrive in England were brought in 1955.The breed
was initially called the Turkish cat in England but this name was modified to Turkish
Van later to avoid confusion with the Turkish Angora. The various names under which
this breed was known in Europe created the misconception that is was simply a variant of
the Turkish Angora. They are, in fact, very distinct breeds with separate histories. The
Turkish Van is very much the new kid on the block in America having been here only
since a first importation of a few kittens in the mid 1970s, but the breed only began to
take off in this country with a second importation from France in 1983. The Turkish Van
has since attracted a loyal and spirited group of breeders and fanciers.
Turkish Vans are unfortunately rather rare even in their lands of origin. They are
large and strong cats that are very intelligent and are very curious. They are also very
healthy cats. Turkish Vans are unusual in that they require three to five years to reach full
maturity. There is one other characteristic that makes them highly unique. Turkish Vans
love water. In their homeland, Turkish Vans are sometimes referred to as the swimming
cats.
The Turkish Vans most distinguishing feature is his coat. The breed standard
requires that Turkish Vans have a white semi-longhaired coat with colored markings
confined to the head and tail. Cats of other breeds who display a similar color pattern are
often said to be “van-patterned”. The coat lacks an undercoat and has a very unique and
beautiful texture similar to cashmere. This wonderful cashmere texture of the Turkish
Vans’ coat makes it waterproof. Another plus to their unusual coat is that it doesn’t easily
mat or tangle and so requires little grooming.
The Turkish Van cat is an ancient breed whose winning ways continue to charm
people to this day. Give the Turkish Van cat a closer look. These cats’ great intelligence
and intense curiosity could make it interesting and entertaining pet. This cat may be
exactly what you are looking for in a new companion.
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Cat Breeds: Turkish Angora
Are you looking to get a new cat soon? Great! You may want to consider a
purebred cat. There are many breeds that can be found in this country, each with its own
characteristic appearance and temperament and history. Think carefully about what you
would characteristics you would like to see in your new companion. Perhaps you would
care to consider:
Turkish Angora
Beautiful and rare, the elegant Turkish Angora is considered a national treasure in
its home country of Turkey. The breeds name came from the former Turkish capital,
Angora, now called Ankara. The Turkish Angora probably originated in the mountains of
Turkey. This graceful breed may have descended from the Manul cat, which was a small
cat domesticated by the Tartars. Turkish Angoras can be traced back in European
writings to 16th century France. The breed was enormously popular with French and
British nobility in the 1700s. Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI as well as King Louis
XV are said to have been Turkish Angora fanciers. The breed almost disappeared entirely
in the early 1900s due to indiscriminate interbreeding with Persians to the point where
nearly all longhaired cats were referred to as Angoras. Fortunately, Turkish breeders
continued controlled breeding of this lovely breed. In the 1950s, American servicemen
discovered Turkish Angoras at the Ankara Zoo. These servicemen reintroduced the
Turkish Angora to cat fanciers everywhere. All modern Turkish Angoras must trace their
ancestry to Turkey.
Turkish Angoras, though highly prized, are unfortunately rather rare even in their
lands of origin. They are loving, playful and very adaptable to many situations. This
breed is very friendly and outgoing. They coexist well with dogs. Turkish Angoras are
often the first to greet guests and are known to stick around to visit with them. Turkish
Angoras make outstanding family pets. This breed is also famous for its tendency to bond
strongly with one special human. Once that bond is formed, this cat will be an always
present, always affectionate companion.
Elegant and graceful, this breeds’ most distinguishing feature is its beautiful coat.
White is the most popular color but many others colors are available and are becoming
more popular with time. The Turkish Angoras long haired, single layered coat is soft and
silky. It rarely mats or tangles and so requires little grooming. Most owners do use a fine
toothed comb their cats a couple times a week anyway, to get rid of loose hair and reduce
the likelihood of hairballs. Being a natural breed, they are also very healthy cats.
These cats are highly intelligent and need to have lots of interaction with their
people or they tend to get bored. It’s a good idea to have another lively feline playmate
for The Turkish Angora to play with when you are away. Otherwise, she is liable to get
into mischief.
The Turkish Angora cat is a breed whose cheerful ways continue to charm people
every day. Give the Turkish Angora cat a closer look. This breed is considered the most
outgoing and affectionate of all cat breeds. This cats’ grace and energy would make it a
lovely and entertaining pet. This cat may be exactly what you are looking for in a new
companion.
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