PUREBRED cat fever...

allmycats

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I've been a cat lover ever since I was a TINY girl. Grew up and got dogs and showdogs at that...but NEVER without a cat (for more than a few days)...now that I have my first kitten in sixteen years I remember how funny and wonderful young, active cats are and why I love them so much (the dogs are great, but my god cats keep you LAUGHING!!! May be even BETTER for the blood pressure even!). So a very long time ago I used to say that I'd some day get a purebred cat. I used to mention Abyssinians for one........I had a "fake" Maine Coon as a teenager..my big, sweet Freddy boy..........and I find myself attracted to Vans...I remember loving a picture of Van kittens in a book about 25 years (or more) ago. I've been googling Maine Coon and Turkish Van for days and revelling in kitten and cat pictures and devouring as much info as I can. THEN I remembered the Turkish Angora...and saying I wanted one..probably when I was only a teen. Been googling them like crazy! So it is between these three breeds for me. And.....I can't do it any time REAL soon
Just got my Gigi DSH kitty and have the show dogs of course. Don't want to overextend myself, but I am JONESING for a Turkey!!! Anybody here show Turks, either Van or Angora? Know anything about them? also still love Maine Coons....still down to those three but almost convinced I want a TA
colored.......................
 

mews2much

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Ferris Cat hows and breeds them.
You can ask her for info.
When you go to the cat how walk around an look at the other breeds of cats and see what you like.
 
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allmycats

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Originally Posted by mews2much

Ferris Cat hows and breeds them.
You can ask her for info.
When you go to the cat how walk around an look at the other breeds of cats and see what you like.
OH I will definitely do that!! I can't wait for all the action and seeing all the beautiful cats!!!!!
Ferris Cat.....don't remember seeing that name here!! Angoras?? Not sure which breed you meant
I love the moderate coat, the gorgeous high set close set ears and longer nose....my kind of cat!!
 
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allmycats

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Originally Posted by mews2much

She has Vans.
Okay, thanks! Look forward to learning more about them as well! I like their sturdiness and their personalities sound like something that would fit in here also. I am torn, but I have plenty of time to think about it...and all the research is fun!
 
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allmycats

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Originally Posted by mews2much

It better to take your time and not ruh into anything.
You can look around at the how and get ideas.
Absolutely
I feel like I am at the dawn of a new something..I remember when I was just looking at dog breeds.......I LOVE what I wound up with..but I spent almost two years studying them before I got one. Not sure I want to wait TOO long at my age now, but will be sure and make right decision for me.
The cat shows will be GREAT!
 

going nova

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I'm so glad that you have 'purebred cat fever' and not that your purebred cat has a fever!
 

carolina

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Hey, welcome to TCS, and good luck getting a purebred kitten! As you have seen on the other threads, there are a few of us on that road right now - FUN FUN FUN!!!!
I like all the breeds oyu posted, but I am particularly fan of maine coons - I love big fluffy gentle sweet giants!
 

rockstarkitties

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I second on Cat Shows....we have Ragdolls, but husband fell in love with Maine Coons at our last show. Are you looking for a pet or you planning on showing? The reason I asked is because sometimes you can find a very nice retired queen or king up for adoption. I have a soft spot for retired breeders
 
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allmycats

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Originally Posted by rockstarkitties

I second on Cat Shows....we have Ragdolls, but husband fell in love with Maine Coons at our last show. Are you looking for a pet or you planning on showing? The reason I asked is because sometimes you can find a very nice retired queen or king up for adoption. I have a soft spot for retired breeders
I would like to show in Premier at this point. But I am jumping ahead
Right now it is going to be HHP and we'll see from there!
 

goldenkitty45

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My one and only longhair cat was a Turkish Angora (show quality). Got him as a kitten from a friend that breeds them. He was fine till around a year and then he decided he did not want to be a show cat.

I stick to shorthairs. Even tho Turks don't need a lot of combing, I really didn't like having to comb him and show prep was not fun for me either (blow drying). My Turk hated to get nails done too - he's the only cat I've owned that I had to take 2-3 days to do all his nails - he was HORRIBLE! (and you know that I'm very good at cutting nails!)

He was fun, very active and playful. Got along great with the Cornies in the house; tho they were not sure why this cat had a nice fluffy tail (fun for Cornie kittens).

A friend of mine had lost her Persian and because I was not gonna show him anymore and didn't want the combing, she was glad to take him and spoil him.
 

cococat

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Go to a cat show! You will love it

Won't cure your fever so much though
 
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allmycats

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

My one and only longhair cat was a Turkish Angora (show quality). Got him as a kitten from a friend that breeds them. He was fine till around a year and then he decided he did not want to be a show cat.

I stick to shorthairs. Even tho Turks don't need a lot of combing, I really didn't like having to comb him and show prep was not fun for me either (blow drying). My Turk hated to get nails done too - he's the only cat I've owned that I had to take 2-3 days to do all his nails - he was HORRIBLE! (and you know that I'm very good at cutting nails!)

He was fun, very active and playful. Got along great with the Cornies in the house; tho they were not sure why this cat had a nice fluffy tail (fun for Cornie kittens).

A friend of mine had lost her Persian and because I was not gonna show him anymore and didn't want the combing, she was glad to take him and spoil him.
I can understand the desire for shorthairs due to grooming. I am a glutton for punishment I guess
My dogs do require a specific grooming routine include limited clipper use, stripper, thinning shears and multiple kinds of combs and brushes; and they are "white" (piebald) and so there are staining issues; then there is coat blowing and the business of growing coat (a race against time sometimes, haha). And for shows I wet and re-blow out the feathering before breed and then again before group, so it can be a PITA
But I love the look of a coated dog that still shows the outline of a dog.
To me the Angora cat is similar in coat/body. I guess it is just what draws me! I do enjoy grooming my dogs very much, but then dogs will stand on a table and can be collared during the process, etc... I don't imagine I'd have too hard of a time with an Angora coat, but the cat itself might feel differently and I can only guess right now.
Blow dryer..that's something I've not yet used on a cat much..I guess like anything else it would be a matter of conditioning the cat to the procedure and using four hands instead of two! ha! Easier said than done I am quite sure!!
 
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allmycats

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Originally Posted by cococat

Go to a cat show! You will love it

Won't cure your fever so much though
Heheheh....no, won't cure the fever...will exacerbate it and probably accelerate the process towards a cure!!! (i.e. deciding for sure what breed I want and making contacts)...at the very least it will inspire me!
 

ferriscat

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While I am no longer working with the Turkish Vans (focusing only on the Maus now) I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about the Turkish Van breed. For a start, they are more heavily built (thus more "clumsy") than the Angora. Vans are semi-longhairs, unlike Angoras which are true longhairs.

As for the grooming; I found that the Vans did not require nearly as much grooming as other longhair breeds due to the unique cashmere texture of their coats. Show baths are a different story, as the coats would need to have all oils thoroughly remove. Finally, it is important to choose a litter that isn't going to stain their feet. I found the crystal litters very helpful in that!
 
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allmycats

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Hi Ferriscat! Thank you for your help! Firstly...oooh, pictures please!!! (of the ones you still have?). Now I have read that they are both natural, native breeds of Turkey and that they are "cousins"..how are they related? The Vans definitely have a sturdier appearance; are they considered a medium sized cat too, or large? I would guess with the larger bone they would weigh more. Vans coats look thicker...am I right? (thicker but shorter?) I love the idea that Vans have an affinity for water, seems I've read Angoras do too, but that may be someone confusing the two breeds. ? Are they generally good with dogs? That is a must in this household. I'm sure it depends on the individual but a natural bent in that direction would sure help! And again...would love to see pix of all the Vans you've had (or some anyway!)
 

ferriscat

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Originally Posted by Allmycats

Firstly...oooh, pictures please!!! (of the ones you still have?).
You can find the pictures on my website.
Most of my cats have been place with other breeder/exhibitors. My lines were rather unique, and the breed could not have afforded losing them.



Originally Posted by Allmycats

Now I have read that they are both natural, native breeds of Turkey and that they are "cousins"..how are they related?
They are cousins in the same way the American Shorthair and the Maine Coon are cousins, which is, not at all. Both breeds come from Turkey, but there the similarities stop as both breeds were developed from different foundation cats. Selective breeding has given the two breeds vast differences between the size, boning, and facial structure (ears, wedge, nose. . .)
All Angoras must also be able to trace their ancestry to the Ankara Zoo in Turkey. Vans do not have this requirement.


Originally Posted by Allmycats

The Vans definitely have a sturdier appearance; are they considered a medium sized cat too, or large? I would guess with the larger bone they would weigh more.
I would consider them a large cat, but not so large as a Maine Coon. They have very broad chests and should have a surprising muscularity when you pick them up.

Originally Posted by Allmycats

Vans coats look thicker...am I right? (thicker but shorter?) I love the idea that Vans have an affinity for water, seems I've read Angoras do too, but that may be someone confusing the two breeds. ?
The thickness of the coat depends on the lines. The British lines tend to have heavier coats. . . but the coat itself is unique to the Turkish Van breed and great importance is placed on it in the Turkish Van standard. The coat should not be so thick that it has an undercoat or mats. For me, the ideal Turkish Van coat has the length and texture of rabbit fur. IMO, my kitten Ring has the ideal coat (now with another breeder.) During the summer months, the coat will give the cat the appearance of being a shorthair--with the exception of the tail!

Originally Posted by Allmycats

Are they generally good with dogs? That is a must in this household. I'm sure it depends on the individual but a natural bent in that direction would sure help! And again...would love to see pix of all the Vans you've had (or some anyway!)
My cats are raised with dogs, so I never had any trouble. I know of three other breeders who raise their Vans with dogs, and I've never heard complaints from them either. Vans like to be in command of their surroundings, so it should be fine as long as the dog is willing to take orders from a cat.
 
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