Turkish Van

The Turkish Van is a semi-longhaired cat distinguished by its unusual pattern: the cat is white except for a colored tail and color on the head. (This is called the "Van" pattern, and is seen in other breeds as well). Vans are very independent, but affectionate. They tend to bond strongly to one or two people in a family. They are social and remain active well into old age. Many Turkish Vans are fond of water and swimming. In their native Turkey near Lake Van, they can often be found swimming in warm, shallow pools. The Turkish Van is accepted by most major cat registries.