the Turkish Van

The Turkish Van is a natural breed from the rugged, remote and climatically varied region of the Middle East.  The breed is known for its unique, distinctive pattern. The term “van” has been adopted by a variety of breeds to describe white cats with colored head and tail markings.  The head is a substantially broad wedge, with gentle contours and medium length nose to harmonize with the large, muscular body.  Ears are not to be included in the wedge and are moderately large to large, set fairly high and wide apart.  The coat is semi-long with a cashmere-like texture. Van pattern only on chalk-white body with colored markings confined to head and tail is desirable, as is a blaze (streak of white) up the nose to at least between the front edge of the ears.