Turkish Vankedisi - Breed Profile

Turkish Vankedisi breed profile

The Turkish Vankedisi is an all-white Turkish cat originating from eastern Turkey, not to be confused with the Turkish Angora. 'Vankedisi' is the Turkish phrase for Van cats, and betrays the close relationship that it has with the Turkish Van. In fact the Turkish Vankedisi is simply a completely white Turkish Van, but because it fails to show the characteristic van-pattered markings it has not be accepted as part of that breed, hence the dedicated name of Turkish Vankedisi.

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 Turkish Vankedisi is very carefully nurtured, the most sought after being the odd eyed cat, although blue eyed cats are also seen as special. The amber eyed cat is the least sought after.

In Britain most Turkish Vankedisi matings are with a Turkish Van in order to minimise the probability of hearing disorders associated with white cats. These matings will produce roughly 50% Vankedisi and 50% Van. The eye colours of the kittens will be a mixture of the three variations.

An odd eyed Turkish Van female mated with a blue eyed Turkish Vankedisi male might produce 3 auburn/white and 3 all-white kittens.

There are only a few Turkish Vankedisi breeders in the UK, but they have found that the 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 Vans. A few breeders have reported that these cats seem even more keen to play with water than the classic Turkish Van Cat.

Lake Van, in Eastern Turkey, is the ancestral home of the white Vankedisi along with Turkish Van cats

In the UK Felis Britannica recognises both the white Vankedisi and their auburn/white siblings as Turkish Vans. The auburn/white is at Championship status and the Vankedisi is classed as a Turkish Van of New Colour.

The European Fédération Internationale Féline (FiFe) at present only recognise the auburn/white offspring from the white Vankedisi as full Turkish Vans.

The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) have accepted the Turkish Vankedisi at Preliminary status, where they can be shown in Assessment Classes.

The International Cat Association (TICA) are considering the inclusion of the Vankedisi as a white Turkish Van.