The Turkish Van is indeed a large cat with a long and strong body, medium-length legs, round feet, and tufts of hair between the toes. The tail is medium in length and forms a plume. The head is slightly longer than wide, creating a softened triangle shape. The eyes are large and walnut-shaped, with bright amber, blue, or other colors like one blue and one amber/yellow. The ears are medium to large in size, set high on the head, and have a rounded tip and broad base.
One of the most distinctive features of the Turkish Van is its coat. It has semi-long hair that is thick and soft like cashmere in winter. In warmer months, the cat sheds its long hair for shorter hair that still maintains the cashmere texture. The tail retains its long and full appearance throughout the seasons. The coat is exceptionally water-repellent, making baths a challenge but allowing for quick drying.
While the classic color for Turkish Vans is red tabby and white, the head and tail can be various colors such as red, cream, black, blue, tortoiseshell, tabby, or any other color that doesn't indicate crossbreeding with point-colored breeds like Siamese or Himalayan.
