Also known as "the swimming cat," the Turkish Van is famous for its love of water. It will swim or just lie in the water--most unusual for a cat. Its fluffy, foxlike tail is in perpetual motion.

The Van's semi-long, silky coat is somewhat heavier than the Angora's but is also not prone to matting.

British and North American cat fanciers favor white Vans with colored markings on the head and a fully colored tail. The colored areas may be red, cream, black, blue, tortoiseshell, calico, brown tabby, torbie, or silver/smoke versions of all the above colors and patterns.

The Turks consider a true Van cat to be all white with odd eyes. This cat is rare in its native Turkey today.