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Whilst the Turkish Van cat can be traced back to Eastern Turkey and Lake Van, the Turkish Angora originates more from Western Turkey and the area around Ankara (formerly Angora), from which it derives its name. Cats from this region were said to be the first longhairs seen in Europe, brought back by Vikings as early as the 10th century, and forming the foundation for our modern-day longhairs. Today's Turkish Angora owes its existence to organisations like Ankara Zoo, from where cats were imported into the USA in the late sixties, and thence to Europe.
Description Whereas Turkish Van cats tend to be strong, cobby and quite heavy, Turkish Angoras can be considered to be their lightweight cousins. Their bodies are long and slender with fine bone structure and delicate poise, but nevertheless robust. They sometimes carry their long plumed tail arched back over their body, almost touching their head. Their faces are smooth and elegant with almond shaped blue, amber, or odd-coloured eyes, and large tufted ears set high on the head. Similar to the Vans their coat is long, fine, and silky with no woolly undercoat and requiring only occasional grooming, however a full range of coat colours is available although the completely white cat remains a popular favourite. In summer the Turkish Angora's sheds its coat, becoming a shorthaired cat.
Availability Within the UK Turkish Angoras are scarce, however some Turkish Van breeders also breed Turkish Angoras. The CTVCA may be able assist you if you're looking for a Turkish Angora, so please contact us or alternatively follow the links in the information section below. Alternatively, some members breeding Turkish Angora cats are identified as such on our Members Page. More Information For more wonderful photographs of Turkish Angoras visit Vangoria
(Finland).
In Britain most matings are between an all-white cat and an auburn/white. These matings will produce roughly 50% all-white and 50% auburn/white with an occasional cream/white kitten. The eye colours of the kittens will be a mixture of the three variations.
There are only a few breeders in the UK but they have found that the Turkish Vankedisi produces litters of 4 to 7 sturdy kittens. They have a well balanced temperament and strong constitution. Variations between litters are exactly the same as those found in other Turkish Vans. Indeed, with regard to coat texture, eye colour, bone structure and personality they are indistinguishable from those found in the Classics. A few breeders have reported that these cats seem even more keen to play with water than the classic Turkish Van Cat.
The Fédération Internationale Féline (FiFe) at present only recognise the auburn/white offspring from the Turkish Vankedisi as full Turkish Vans. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) is in the process of accepting the Turkish Vankedisi as a new breed at Preliminary status. This will allow these cats earn Merits and compete in miscellaneous classes at shows. The CTVCA may be able to assist you if you're looking for a white Turkish Van, so please contact us if you want further information. Alternatively, some members who breed them are listed on our members page. For information and availability within the UK, visit the
Turkish Cat Society site. [ Top of Page ]
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The
Turkish Vankedisi is an all-white Turkish Van originating from eastern Turkey and
should not be confused with the Turkish Angora. 'Van Kedi' is the Turkish phrase
for Van cat. Due to the severe restrictions placed on the export of these highly
prized cats very few ever left Turkey, however, in the early 90's Lois Miles
succeeded in obtaining written permission from the Turkish authorities to bring
home a white, odd-eyed female. In Turkey the all-white Turkish Van is very
carefully nurtured, but the Turkish people have less regard for their
auburn/white relatives. The most sought after is an odd eyed white cat, but blue
eyed cats are also seen as special; the amber eyed white cat is the least sought
after.
