The all-white cousin of the Turkish Van. The Vankedisi carries the same robust, swim-loving nature but lacks the auburn 'van' markings, showing a pure white coat with amber, blue, or striking odd-coloured eyes.
- Origin
- Turkey (Lake Van region)
- Category
- longhair
- Lifespan
- 13–17 yrs
- Size
- Large
- Weight
- 4.5–9 kg
- Coat
- Semi-long, soft, water-resistant single coat
- Colours
- Pure white (no coloured markings)
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
The Vankedisi is the solid-white form of the ancient Turkish Van landrace native to the mountainous Lake Van region of eastern Turkey. While the classic Turkish Van shows coloured markings only on the head and tail, entirely white individuals have always occurred naturally in the same population and are especially prized in Turkey. British breeders began importing and documenting them in the 1980s, and the GCCF recognises the Turkish Vankedisi as a distinct all-white variety alongside the marked Turkish Van.
🧼 Care & grooming
The single, chalky-textured coat has no woolly undercoat, so it rarely mats and needs only weekly brushing — more during the seasonal moult. Many Vankedisi genuinely enjoy water and will paddle in sinks or shallow baths, a trait to indulge rather than fight. These are powerful, athletic cats that need tall climbing space, vigorous daily play, and plenty of room to run.
🩺 Health notes
As a natural landrace the breed is generally hardy and long-lived. The main consideration is that white cats with one or two blue eyes can carry a higher risk of congenital deafness linked to the white-coat gene — responsible breeders test hearing (BAER testing) and place deaf kittens in suitable indoor homes.
📸 Turkish Vankedisi photos
Photographs from Wikimedia Commons, used under their respective licences.