Personality

Turkish Vans are loving, loyal, curious, companionable and affectionate. They also are extremely intelligent, which can make them mischievous. Vans are very people-oriented cats. They like to play, jump and explore anything that is within their reach or range of vision. Many Vans are dedicated to fetching their particular object of interest, and many Turkish Van owners describe them as being "dogs in a cat suit" because of their charming personalities. Vans will follow their owners around the house from room to room, wanting to participate in whatever is going on in the household. They typically get along quite well with other companion animals, including both dogs and cats, as long as those animals respect the Van’s position at the top of the hierarchy. While the Turkish Van loves to be with its owner, it is not particularly fond of being picked up and cuddled unless it is on its own terms.

Activity Level

Turkish Vans have been described as being lively, inactive, playful, nervous and/or lethargic, among many other things. Despite this disparity in descriptions, most authorities find the Turkish Van to be an energetic animal. They love to run. They also love to play with - and in – water, which is uncommon in cats. They are extremely agile despite their stocky build.

Behavioral Traits

Vans are talented jumpers and climbers. Their powerful hind legs give them a tremendous ability to jump, leap and climb. They can easily land on top of the refrigerator or on top of the highest shelf or bookcase from a cold stand-still. They love to fetch and can learn to retrieve. They instinctively catch toys in mid-flight while turning somersaults and backflips in the air. One of the most interesting behavioral traits of this breed is their fascination with water. Turkish Vans are exceptionally good swimmers, which is unusual among domestic cat breeds. They actually will seek out water and swim as a form of recreation. They have been given the nickname, “The Swimming Cat,” for this reason. The voice of the Turkish Van is pleasing and surprisingly melodious.