[1]: 114 [4] Breed standards allow for one or more body spots as long as there is no more than 20% colour and the cat does not give the appearance of a bicolour.

The Germany-based but international World Cat Federation (WCF) considers the all-white specimens a separate breed, which it calls the Turkish Vankedisi,[5] a name that is easily confused with the landrace Van cat, which is called Van kedisi (two words) in Turkish.

When the offspring came out identical to their parents – chalk white with dark tail and head markings – she set to establishing a standardised breed, originally named Turkish cat, later Turkish Van, and having it recognised by the British cat fancy organisations.

Lushington returned to Turkey to find another pair, with the goal of breeding to the standard "three clear generations".

Of the founding 1955 pair, Lushington wrote, in 1977: I was first given a pair of Van kittens in 1955 while travelling in Turkey, and decided to bring them back to England, although touring by car and mainly camping at the time – the fact that they survived in good condition showed up the great adaptability and intelligence of their breed in trying circumstances.

The Turkish Van was given full pedigree status in 1969 by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).

Beginning in 1983, two Florida breeders, Barbara and Jack Reark,[citation needed] worked to popularise this breed, and in 1985, The International Cat Association (TICA) granted the Turkish Van championship status.

In 1988, the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) accepted the breed for registration in the miscellaneous class.

The Turkish Van is a large, muscular cat with a moderately long body and tail.

Ideal type should feature broad shoulders with a body that is "top-heavy", that is, a cat with its center of gravity forward.

The nose is straight and Asiatic, considered long for a semi-longhair, and with its high cheek bones, and startlingly bright eyes, it gives off quite an exotic appearance.

[6] The TICA standard[9] notes several characteristics, including their high intelligence, energy and playfulness – also making them somewhat mischievous.

Their drive makes them easily trainable with positive reinforcement – to play fetch, do tricks or walk on a leash.

[2] a 2021 study in Finland[10] did find that the Turkish Vans in their research showed higher than average tendencies towards fearfulness, aggression towards humans, as well as a lower stress tolerance (notable excessive grooming and litter-box problems), and lower sociability to humans and cats.

[11] When it comes to families, Turkish Vans are happy to play with children, but care must be taken to make sure small ones are reminded that the breed may not enjoy being held, and may strike out if forced into such a situation.

[12] The Turkish Van is largely free of genetic issues and breed-specific health defects.

[11] Additionally, due to the Turkish Van's larger size, spay or neutering procedures are sometimes delayed to around 1 year of age, as an early adjustment to their hormone levels can affect how their bones and muscles grow.

[11] The piebald spotting gene (partial leucism) appears in other different species (like the horse and the ball python).