TURKISH VAN
Standard of Excellence

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A native Turkish cat found in the region of Lake Van, in eastern Turkey near the border with Iran. Also known as the Van Cat, the Turkish Cat, the Turkish Swimming Cat. In Turkey it is called the Van Kedi. The Van Cat looks like a slightly larger version of the Angora, with the same long, silky fur. There is no undercoat, which gives the animal a sleek, elegant, long-bodied appearance. The coat is white except for the head and the plumed tail, which are auburn in colour. The eyes are unusual because they are often of different colours – one amber and one blue.

Head Short wedge; nose long, straight but with a barely perceptible dip in profile.
Ears Large, well feathered, fairly close together and set high on the head.
Eyes Large and oval.
Body Long and sturdy; the males are particularly muscular and strong.
Legs & Feet Legs medium in length. Feet neat, well rounded and tufted.
Tail Full brush, length to balance with the body.
Coat Fur should be long, soft and silky to the roots. No woolly undercoat. It should be noted that the winter coat of the Van is longer and heavier than the summer coat.
Condition Well groomed and immaculately prepared with no trace of greasiness, staining or tangles in the coat. Ears completely clean and free from all wax.
Withhold First Place
  • Siamese, Persian or British type.
  • Squint.

    • SCALE OF POINTS
    Total 100 points
    Head & Eye Shape 25
    Body & Tail 25
    Ears 10
    Eye colour 10
    Coat, Colour & Condition 30


    RECOGNISED COLOURS:
    Traditional Auburn and Cream only.

    ALLOWABLE OUTCROSSES: None.

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    TURKISH VAN
    Standard of Excellence

    PAGE 2


    AUBURN TURKISH VAN
    Colour

    Chalk white with no trace of yellow. Auburn markings on the face but not below the level of the eyes or beyond the base of the rear of the ears. The auburn on the face should be separated by a vertical white blaze. White nose. Ears should be white with delicate shell pink inside. The brush is auburn and faintly ringed and the colour may extend a very short distance up the back. The rings are more distinctive in kittens.

    Nose Leather
    & Paw Pads         		Pink
    Eyes Light amber in colour with pink rims.


    AUBURN TURKISH VAN (Blue-Eyed)
    Colour

    Chalk white with no trace of yellow. Auburn markings on the face but not below the level of the eyes or beyond the base of the rear of the ears. The auburn on the face should be separated by a vertical white blaze. White nose. Ears should be white with delicate shell pink inside. The brush is auburn and faintly ringed and the colour may extend a very short distance up the back. The rings are more distinctive in kittens.

    Nose Leather
    & Paw Pads         		Pink
    Eyes Blue in colour with pink rims.


    AUBURN TURKISH VAN (Odd-Eyed)
    Colour

    Chalk white with no trace of yellow. Auburn markings on the face but not below the level of the eyes or beyond the base of the rear of the ears. The auburn on the face should be separated by a vertical white blaze. White nose. Ears should be white with delicate shell pink inside. The brush is auburn and faintly ringed and the colour may extend a very short distance up the back. The rings are more distinctive in kittens.

    Nose Leather
    & Paw Pads         		Pink
    Eyes One of blue, one of light amber, with pink rims.


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    TURKISH VAN
    Standard of Excellence

    PAGE 3


    CREAM TURKISH VAN
    Colour

    Chalk white with no trace of yellow. Cream markings on the face but not below the level of the eyes or beyond the base of the rear of the ears. The cream on the face should be separated by a vertical white blaze. White nose. Ears should be white with delicate shell pink inside. The brush is cream and faintly ringed and the colour may extend a very short distance up the back. The rings are more distinctive in kittens.

    Nose Leather
    & Paw Pads         		Pink
    Eyes Light amber in colour with pink rims.


    CREAM TURKISH VAN (Blue-Eyed)
    Colour

    Chalk white with no trace of yellow. cream markings on the face but not below the level of the eyes or beyond the base of the rear of the ears. The cream on the face should be separated by a vertical white blaze. White nose. Ears should be white with delicate shell pink inside. The brush is cream and faintly ringed and the colour may extend a very short distance up the back. The rings are more distinctive in kittens.

    Nose Leather
    & Paw Pads         		Pink
    Eyes Blue in colour with pink rims.


    CREAM TURKISH VAN (Odd-Eyed)
    Colour

    Chalk white with no trace of yellow. cream markings on the face but not below the level of the eyes or beyond the base of the rear of the ears. The cream on the face should be separated by a vertical white blaze. White nose. Ears should be white with delicate shell pink inside. The brush is cream and faintly ringed and the colour may extend a very short distance up the back. The rings are more distinctive in kittens.

    Nose Leather
    & Paw Pads         		Pink
    Eyes One of blue, one of light amber, with pink rims.


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