|
In this section we hope to answer your most common questions,
however please remember that, like people, cats are all different and
will have their own characters. Our answers below are general
observations, but individual animals will exhibit their own unique
behaviour which makes them so special to us.
GENERAL
Are the Turkish cat breeds related to each other?
Do they need any special attention or grooming?
Do they get on well with other cats & dogs?
Should I let my cat
outside?
Is a Turkish cat the right cat for me?
Is there a club for owners/breeders/admirers?
Where can I buy a kitten?
What does the TCS logo represent?
Where can I find out more?
TURKISH VAN
What does a Turkish Van look like?
Do they make good pets?
Are Turkish Vans very vocal?
Why is their coat pattern so unusual?
Why are they called Turkish Vans?
Is my cat a Turkish Van?
Do they really like swimming?
Where can I show my Turkish Van cat?
Are they very rare and expensive?
Do Turkish Vans travel well?
TURKISH VANKEDISI
What does a Turkish Vankedisi look like?
Why are they called Turkish Vankedisi?
Why can't I find much about them on the Internet?
Do they make good pets?
Are Turkish Vankedisi very vocal?
Do they like swimming?
Aren't all white cats deaf?
Where can I show my Turkish Vankedisi cat?
Are they very rare and expensive?
Do Turkish Vankedisi travel well?
What will I get if I mate one with a Turkish Van?
TURKISH ANGORA
What does a Turkish Angora cat look like?
Why are they called Turkish Angora's?
Is this the same as the Angora cat that is bred in the UK?
What about Angora rabbits and goats?
Where can I show my Turkish Angora cat?
Are they very rare & expensive?
Do they make good
pets?
Are Turkish Angoras
very vocal?
Do they like
swimming?
Do Turkish Angoras
travel well?
GENERAL
Are the Turkish cat breeds related to
each other? [ Back to Top ]
The Turkish Van and Turkish Vankedisi are very closely related,
differing only in coat colour. The intention is that the Van and
Vankedisi can be inter-bred, with the offspring being registered
according to whether they are white coated, or van-pattern coated.
The Turkish Angora was probably also related at some point in its ancestry, although from a breeding point
of view there is no permissible out-crossing between the Turkish Angoras
and the Turkish Van/Vankedisi.
There are many similarities between them, however the basic bone
structure is quite different with the Turkish Van/Vankedisi being more sturdy and
muscular.
Turkish Vankedisi have completely white coats, whilst the Turkish Van
has the very distinctive "van-patterned" markings. Conversely, the
Turkish Angoras are available in a wide range of different coat colours
and patterns, including white.
Do they need any special attention or grooming? [ Back to Top ]
The silky nature of their coats combined with the lack of a woolly
undercoat means that very little grooming is necessary. Occasionally
one or two mattes may appear which need to be teased out, and a light
brush now and again will always help keep the coat in good condition.
Do they get on well with other cats & dogs? [ Back to Top ]
In general yes, although, like people, different cats will behave in
different ways, and some will get on better than others. Some breeds
of dog have a strong prey-instinct, and are not suitable for co-habiting
with cats. Dog breed-clubs will be able to advise in this respect.
The Turkish Vans/Vankedisi are often described as being very dog like in
their behaviour, and they seem to show an affinity with dogs. They
can certainly stand up for themselves too, when necessary, so dogs beware!
Should I let my cat outside? [ Back to Top ]
People have strong views both ways on this issue, however most
breeders would agree that entire (un-neutered) cats should never be
allowed to roam freely. You might also want to bear in mind that
pedigree cats are not generally as "street-wise" as domestic "moggies",
and don't have a good understanding of things like road-safety.
Another concern is the risk of theft, so how much do you value your cat?
Would you let your child out unsupervised?
Is a Turkish cat the right cat for me? [ Back to Top ]
Only you can answer that question, although hopefully the information on
this site will help you decide. if you want a cat that is beautiful,
elegant, intelligent, playful, and devoted, then certainly consider a
Turkish Angora. If you want a cat that is dignified, mischievous,
playful, dog-like and loving, then think about a Turkish Van or Vankedisi. However if you are concerned about getting cat hair
on your clothes and furniture then you might find a shorthaired breed more
suitable. You may have to wait a while if you set your heart on a
Turkish cat, but that is all part of what makes them so special.
Is there a club for owners/breeders/admirers? [ Back to Top ]
There are two breed clubs covering Turkish Vans and Vankedisi, the
Turkish Van Cat Club and the
Classic Turkish Van Cat
Association. Turkish Angora owners are not so fortunate
since they are not recognised by the GCCF yet, so there is no
representative club.
There are several clubs in Europe covering all of the various Turkish
breeds, many of which can be found on the
Internet.
Where can I buy a kitten? [
Back to Top ]
Have a look on our Kitten Page for details
of kittens available now, or you could contact a breeder directly.
NEVER buy a pedigree kitten from a pet shop or department store, no
reputable breeder would allow their kittens to be sold in this way and you
have no recourse if things don't work out for you. Ask to see the
kitten's parents; you should be shown the mother, although it may be that
the father is not owned by the breeder. Beware of unscrupulous
breeders! See our News Page for any alerts.
If in doubt, always consult a breed club, they are there to advise and
help you (Contact Us).
What does the TCS logo represent? [ Back to Top ]
The club logo is known as Nazar Bonjuk in Turkey, and is a charm used to
ward off evil. This superstition stems from the belief that a person
can lay a curse upon another by giving them the "evil eye", however the
Nazar Bonjuk wards the wearer by seeing through the curse, revealing it
for what it is, and thereby negating its powers. For more information,
visit this site.
Where can I find out more? [ Back to Top ]
Take a look around this website for assorted information and pictures.
You can also visit our
Links Page which will
point you towards other sources of information, and breeders.
TURKISH VAN
What does a Turkish Van look like?
Turkish Vans are semi-longhaired cats of substantial build, with a
muscular body and wedge-shaped head. They are particularly
characterized by their chalk white coat with coloured van-patterned
markings on the head and tail. They have tufts of hair under their
feet, and have no woolly undercoat which makes for easier grooming.
Their oval eyes are blue or amber, or one of each (odd-eyed) although the
colour can fade with age, the amber particularly taking on a greenish
tinge.
For a fuller description please visit our Turkish
Van page.
Do they make good pets?
Absolutely! It might be more apt to say that your Turkish Van
owns you, rather than you owing it, since they are very intelligent cats
and know how to get what they want! They are often described as
being dog-like in behaviour, fetching paper balls and dropping them in
front of you so that you can throw it again for them to chase, and in fact
they seem to have an affinity with dogs no matter how large the dogs are.
Turkish Vans are not lap-cats, although this isn't to say that they won't
sit on your lap, but simply that they will sit on your lap when they
want it, not when you want it! They have their
moments, but in general they're quite confident easy-going cats.
For more information please visit our Turkish Van page.
Are Turkish Vans very vocal?
Not particularly, although there are of course exceptions!
Neutered cats seldom feel the need to make excessive noise, however you
can expect them to announce their presence when they want attention.
Why is their coat pattern so unusual?
It would be reasonable to think that their pattern has evolved this way
so as to allow a better camouflage in the winter against the snow, and a
cooler coat in the summer, although this is purely speculation. Many
cats have some degree of white on them, but in the case of the Turkish Van
this has been taken to the extreme such that the white covers nearly all
of their body. Genetically, this is due to having two S genes
which gives twice the amount of white spotting, although there are other
contributory factors as well.
Why are they called Turkish Vans?
There is a city in Eastern Turkey called Van, so the Van cat is a cat
that comes from the region around Van. There is also a large lake
called Lake Van with which the cats are associated. So the Turkish
Van is a Turkish cat from Van!
Is my cat a Turkish Van?
Many people think that because their cat appears to be van-patterned,
then it must be a Turkish Van. However the van-pattern can occur is
other breeds too, like Persians, so it's not a true test for the breed.
More important is the ancestry, or pedigree of the cat, i.e. whether its
sire and dam were Turkish Vans. Of course, many pet owners know
nothing about the parents, so they should then look at the build, coat
texture and type, ear set, head shape, etc, etc.
Because Turkish Vans are quite rare, the chances are that your cat is
NOT a Turkish Van, but without proof to the contrary, there's no harm in
believing it is, although you should certainly not try to breed more
Turkish Vans from it.
Do they really like swimming?
In their native Turkey they are know to swim in shallow streams and
lakes, however the temperatures there are very hot, so this might be the
reason why. Having said that, they definitely have an affinity with
water, and might like to paddle in the sink or even join their owner in
the bath. So you may be lucky and have a swimming cat, but don't
expect it by any means.
Where can I show my Turkish Van cat?
Turkish Vans are recognised by many cat associations around the world.
In Great Britain there are many shows organised by clubs affiliated to the
GCCF, and others organised under FIFe or TICA rules, both of which recognise
Turkish Vans. It's highly likely that there is a show near you at
some point, but you will need to submit your entry well in advance and
ensure you're familiar with the procedures.
Are they very rare and expensive?
Because there are so few breeders of Turkish Vans, kittens can be
scarce. However public awareness is such that not many people think
of having a Turkish Van, so waiting lists can be very short or even
non-existent. They are also very reasonable compared to many other
breeds, so if you think a Turk is the cat for you then don't be put off.
Start by looking here for kitten
availability, but if you don't see what you want then you could try some
of the sites referenced on our Links page.
Do Turkish Vans travel well?
They're okay, but some can suffer from travel sickness. Giving them
plenty of reassurance and personal contact will help. Be prepared
though, just in case!
TURKISH VANKEDISI
What does a Turkish Vankedisi look like? [ Back to Top ]
Turkish Vankedisi are pure white semi-longhaired cats of substantial build, with a
muscular body and wedge-shaped head. Like Turkish Vans, they have tufts of hair under their
feet, and have no woolly undercoat which makes for easier grooming.
Their oval eyes are blue or amber, or one of each (odd-eyed) although the
colour can fade with age, the amber particularly taking on a greenish
tinge. They are, in effect, a pure white Turkish Van.
For a fuller description please visit our Turkish
Vankedisi page.
Why are they called Turkish Vankedisi? [ Back to Top ]
Although the Turkish Vankedisi is effectively a pure white Turkish
Van, the GCCF have adopted the word van to mean a
particular coat pattern, and since the pure white cat doesn't
outwardly exhibit this coat pattern then it cannot be registered as a
Turkish Van. Instead, the GCCF has approved the name
Turkish Vankedisi which retains the references to the ancestry
of the cats (Turkey, Van) whilst maintaining a distinct breed name.
In fact kedi is Turkish for cat!
Why can't I find much about them on the Internet? [ Back to Top ]
Although Turkish Vankedisi have been around for many years, only
recently has the name Turkish Vankedisi been approved by
the GCCF, therefore there is little printed information about them.
This website was set up in order to address this situation, and create
a valuable resource that will help to increase public awareness of
this rare breed.
Do they make good pets? [ Back to Top ]
Absolutely! As with the Turkish Van cat, it might be more apt to say that your Turkish Vankedisi
owns you, rather than you owing it, since they are very intelligent cats
and know how to get what they want! They are often described as
being dog-like in behaviour, fetching paper balls and dropping them in
front of you so that you can throw it again for them to chase, and in fact
they seem to have an affinity with dogs no matter how large the dogs are.
Turkish Vankedisi are not lap-cats, although this isn't to say that they won't
sit on your lap, but simply that they will sit on your lap when they
want it, not when you want it! They have their
moments, but in general they're quite confident easy-going cats.
For more information please visit our Turkish Vankedisi page.
Are Turkish Vankedisi very vocal? [ Back to Top ]
Generally not really, although there are exceptions, and some stud
cats have been known to be very noisy indeed! Cats with impaired
hearing are likely to be more vocal since they cannot hear themselves
properly.
Do they like swimming? [ Back to Top ]
As with Turkish Vans, in their native Turkey they are know to swim in shallow streams and
lakes, however the temperatures there are very hot, so this might be the
reason why. Having said that, they definitely have an affinity with
water, and might like to paddle in the sink or even join their owner in
the bath. So you may be lucky and have a swimming cat, but don't
expect it by any means.
Aren't all white cats deaf? [ Back to Top ]
No they are not, although they have a higher risk of being so.
The highest risk is for the blue-eyed white cats, since the blue eye
colour is caused by a lack of pigment in the eye in the same way as
for white hair, and this acts as a measure of how much the pigment has
been inhibited by the white gene. The white gene also affects
development of the cochlea in the inner ear, so its a matter of how
much influence it has had. Think of it as a race during
embryonic development between the formation of the hearing sensors and
the spread of the disrupting white gene.
Where can I show my Turkish Vankedisi cat? [ Back to Top ]
Currently the Turkish Vankedisi cannot be shown at GCCF shows,
since they are not fully recognised. However some breeders have shown
them at FIFe shows, where they are classified as a Turkish Van of
experimental colour. It is hoped that they will soon achieve
Preliminary Recognition within the GCCF, which will allow them to be
shown there. Alternatively you can show them at one of several
TICA shows around the country and abroad.
Are they very rare and expensive? [ Back to Top ]
There are even fewer breeders of Turkish Vankedisi than there are
of Turkish Vans, so yes, they could be considered very rare at the
moment. But, like with the Vans, few people think
of having a Turkish Vankedisi, so waiting lists can be very short or even
non-existent. They are also very reasonable compared to many other
breeds, so if you think a Turk is the cat for you then don't be put off.
Start by looking here for kitten
availability, but if you don't see what you want then you could try some
of the sites referenced on our Links page.
Do Turkish Vankedisi travel well? [ Back to Top ]
In general they're okay, but some can suffer from travel sickness. Giving them
plenty of reassurance and personal contact will help. Be prepared
though, just in case!
What will I get if I mate one with a Turkish Van? [ Back to Top ]
The Turkish Vankedisi is effectively a Turkish Van with a white
coat covering over the usual van-patterned markings. Apart from
that they are the same cat, so matings between them should be
perfectly acceptable. In fact it is strongly recommended that
Turkish Vankedisi cats are bred to Turkish Vans rather than another
Vankedisi, since white to white matings are much more likely to
produce kittens with impaired hearing. If this breeding policy
has been followed for the Turkish Vankedisi, then mating it to a
Turkish Van should theoretically produce 50% Turkish Vans and 50%
Turkish Vankedisi. Of course, nature is not quite so predictable
as that, so don't assume anything!
If both parents of a Turkish Vankedisi are white, then there is a
chance that the cat has a double-dose of the gene that gives it the
white coat (and which is also responsible for deafness). In this case
the cat would always produce white kittens, even when mated to a
Turkish Van.
TURKISH ANGORA
What does a Turkish Angora cat look like? [ Back to Top ]
The Turkish Angora Cat is a semi-longhaired cat of medium to
light build. It has a graceful appearance with a long flowing
body finished with a feathered tail that is often held in an upwards
curve. Its large ears are set high upon the head, and its face
is wedge-shaped with almond shaped eyes. Its coat is fine and
silky, and the lack of an undercoat makes grooming very straight
forward.
For a fuller description please visit our
Turkish Angora page.
Why are they called Turkish Angora's? [ Back to Top ]
Angora is the former name of the capital of Turkey, Ankara. The
cats are named after it, probably because they were originally found
here by traders from other countries.
Is this the same as the Angora cat that is bred in the UK? [ Back to Top ]
No. In the United Kingdom there is a breed of cat that used to
be called an Angora, however this is a man-made breed that has no
connection with Turkey at all. The British Angora has since been
renamed to an Oriental Longhair (Angora).
What about Angora rabbits and goats? [ Back to Top ]
The rabbits and goats which share their name with the Turkish Angora cats
are in no way connected, except possibly through their point of origin.
Angora wool most certainly does not come from Turkish Angora cats!
Where can I show my Turkish Angora cat? [ Back to Top ]
In Europe the Turkish Angora is recognised by the Fédération
Internationale Féline (FIFe), of which Felis Britannica in Britain is a
member, and also by TICA. The other British registration body, the Governing Council
of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) does not currently recognise Turkish Angoras.
You can therefore show your cats at any FIFe or TICA show, but not at a GCCF show
(except in an exhibition pen).
Are they very rare & expensive? [ Back to Top ]
Rare yes, but expensive - not really. There are only a handful of
breeders in the UK, so kittens are difficult to find. Prices will
vary from breeder to breeder, however they will not cost any more than any
other pedigree cat.
Do they make good pets? [ Back to Top ]
Of course they do! Turkish Angoras are very loyal towards
their owners, often devoting themselves to one or two people.
They are very affectionate, gentle, but can be boisterous too.
Are Turkish Angoras very vocal? [ Back to Top ]
Not as much as some cats can be. It's not normally
considered a problem with Turkish Angoras, although un-neutered cats
can be quite vocal when calling for a mate.
Do they like swimming? [ Back to Top ]
They are no renowned for it, and don't have quite the same
affinity for water that the Turkish Vans have. However some
cats will enjoy paddling in shallow pools, or may like to watch you
take a bath whilst sitting on the edge.
Do Turkish Angoras travel well? [ Back to Top ]
Generally they travel reasonably well, but can get quite vocal
during the journey so take some earplugs! Plenty of fuss and
reassurance will help keep them calm.
|
