5 Ways to Make a Cat Exercise
Cat obesity is a serious health problem. Besides a well-balanced diet, exercise is a great way to fight it. However, making a cat do that might not be as easy as it is with a dog.
Portraits of popular breeds at home and abroad: Turkish Van
This beautiful and majestic cat gave name to a hair colour and it is the only domesticated breed that is not afraid of water and even can swim well. It has a strange and quite complicated nature and it is usually very dependent on humans.
Turkish Van is a natural breed, i.e. it developed on its own without human intervention. It happened, as its name suggests, in Turkey at the foot of Mount Ararat – specifically in an area around Lake Van which is almost isolated. The history doesn’t mention how cats got there. It is speculated that they could be the offsprings of semi-longhaired Chinese cats who came here on the Silk Road.
However, first Turkish cats were transferred to Europe in 1955 when two friends visited this area and were amazed by these wild semi-longhaired cats. No wonder, these creatures are really beautiful and intelligent and have a very unusual colour – two stains on their heads and a tail of the same colour. One of the two companions caught two cats and took them home with her, to England. It was a pair which was mostly white with characteristic red stains. Together with other, later imported cats from Lake Van, they established Turkish Vans breeding in Europe. The breed was already recognized in both England and Europe in 1971.
These cats have a quite strange character and if a person is not very experienced with cats, their behaviour may seem unpredictable. That’s why their breeding is not recommended to beginners. Turkish Vans are very focused on the human but if they think you don’t treat them kindly, they’ll let you know resolutely. A person who knows cats very well can read from their body posture what the animal is thinking. One needs experience for their breeding also because the peace and calmness are not their typical features.
Turkish Vans tend to get strongly attached to one person they devote all its love and inclination to. If there are other people living in the household, they will seek their company as well but they will keep their love manifestations only to the chosen one.
There are many good traits of this breed. These cats are active, like games and hunting. They also have a great deal of courage. They are not afraid of water like most other cats. On the other hand, there are some cats of this breed which even seek water and swim not only to get their prey but also for enjoyment.
Have you encountered this relatively rare and complicated breed yet? Even though its breeding is not as easy as pie, there are no doubts it’s worth it.
Related articles
What Life with Wolves Looks Like – From the Perspective of Jiří Andrle
Wolves are very different from dogs in many aspects. Apart from their more or less different appearance, they did not experience long domestication and breeding. Jiří, a longtime breeder and owner of wolves, will answer our questions about how he...
Options for Protecting Your Pets from Ticks
The tick season is here and if you haven’t done so far, it’s about the time to start protecting your pet. What options do we have, what are the differences between the individual possibilities and what do I see as their advantages and disadvantages?
Mondioring or Dog Circuit Training
Mondioring, even though it can seem easy for those who don’t know it, is undoubtedly one of the most difficult cynological sports. A dog has to be able to work focused for up to 45 minutes, be perfectly controllable and and handle everything in an...
Portraits of Popular Breeds at Home and Abroad: Tibetan Mastiff
These majestic dogs with a long history seem intimidating at first glance. However, with proper socialization and upbringing, they are pleasant and loyal companions. They are very intelligent and independent. Breeders Antonín Kadlec and Lenka...
Dog trainer Petr Zoubek Gives Advice on How to Use Electronic Collars When Training Dogs
An electronic collar can be very helpful for training and keeping your dog safe. However, we need to know how to set it up and use it correctly. Thanks to that, no shocks might be even needed. I asked Petr Zoubek, a hunting dog trainer, about the...
Even Dogs Can Be Allergic to Pollen
This time of the year is connected, besides enjoying sun and awakening nature, with annoying allergic reactions for many. However, has it ever occurred to you that your dog companion could be allergic to pollen as well? How can you recognize it and...
How to Start with Agility – Tips from Juraj Ruža, a Trainer
Have you been thinking about starting with agility and you have nothing but questions in your mind and can’t make the final decision? Is this sport for my doggie? And is it even for me? How and when should we start? I asked Juraj Ruža, an agility...
Portraits of Popular Breeds at Home and Abroad: Thai Cat
Cats of this breed are very intelligent, communicative and mainly sociable. They create a really strong bond with people. Besides their nice nature, they are also attractive thanks to their exotic and noble appearance.
How to Take Care of Your Dog after a Walk During the Pandemic
During this time, we pay attention to stricter sanitary measures. As we come home, we took off our clothes and shoes and wash our hands. If a dog comes with us, we shouldn’t forget about it as well. It may happen the dog brings the virus to our home....
What Raising Kittens Involves – Insights from Helena Rückerová, a Breeder
Spring is here and kittens are born. It might be something new for many of us. Let’s have a look at this topic with a Siberian cat breeder, Helena Rückerová. We will learn what kittens need in their first moments after they are born and how we can...
How to Celebrate Easter with a Cat
It’s clear that Easter this year won’t be the same as we are used to and we have to give up on some traditions. We will be at home with our loved ones, so why not to engage our cat companions?