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Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian Cat Breed Comparison

"Find similarities and differences between Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian" Compare Turkish Van and British Shorthair. Which is better: Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
 
 
 
Name Turkish Van British Shorthair Abyssinian
OriginsTurkey flagTurkey United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom Ethiopia flagEthiopia
Group Natural Natural Natural
Popularity Rank77310
Reviews100
User Ratings

Other Names
What other names do they have?
Turkish Cat, Swimming cat Highlander, Highland Straight, Britannica Abys
Price
Which one is cheaper, Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian cat?
$800 to $1500 $1,500 to $3,000 $900 to $1500
Cost Of Ownership Moderate Moderate High
Breed Recognition The International Cat Association (TICA)
Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe)
The International Cat Association (TICA)
American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA)
The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe)
The International Cat Association (TICA)
Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA)

Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian Size, Appearance and Physical Traits Comparison

Size
Which is bigger, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian cat?
Large
The large-sized cats usually weigh 10-20 pounds and are 10-16 inches long from the nose down.
Large
The large-sized cats usually weigh 10-20 pounds and are 10-16 inches long from the nose down.
Medium
The medium-sized cats usually weigh 10-15 pounds and are 8-11 inches long from the nose down.
Weight
Which is heavier, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
Male: 9 - 20 pounds, Female: 7 - 12 pounds Males: 12–18 pounds, Females: 9-15 pounds Male: 8 - 12 pounds, Female: 6 - 8 pounds
Bite ForceAverage Bite Strength: Around 10-15 PSI Strong Bite Strength: Greater than or around 15 PSI Weak Bite Strength: Less than or around 10 PSI
Body Type Substantial
Turkish Van are large and heavy-boned with a strong, muscular build.
Cobby
This body type is a mix between the cobby and foreign types.
Foreign (Oriental)
Abyssinian have a slender, elongated body with a narrow chest and long legs.
Ear Shape Large
Pointed
Wide-set
Medium
Rounded
Wide-set
Large
Pointed
Wide-set
Eye Color Gold
Blue
Gold
Copper
Gold
Green
Hair Color and Pattern Van pattern: primarily white with coloured markings on the head and tail; colours include red, cream, black, blue, and their respective tabby patterns, as well as tortoiseshell and calico. Wide range of colors and patterns, including solid, tabby, bicolor, and more. Ruddy
Red
Blue
Fawn
Coat
What is the difference between Turkish Van, British Shorthair and Abyssinian coats?
Semi-long Short Hair Shorthair
Leg Lenght Medium Medium Medium
Whisker Length Medium Medium Short
Musculature Muscular Muscular Lean
Head Shape Triangular Round Triangular
Toe Count 5 front
4 back
5 front
4 back
5 front
4 back
Eye Shape And Orientation Almond-shaped Round Almond-shaped
Night Vision
Paw Size Medium Medium Medium
Nose Structure Long and Narrow Button Straight
Neck Length Medium Medium Medium
Fur Texture Fine
Short
Silky
Soft
Curled
Fine
Short
Silky
Bone Density Medium Medium Medium
Flexibility
High
High
High
Bone Structure Robust Robust Slender
Fine
Tail Length Plumed Long and Tapered Long and Tapered
Sleep Patterns Moderate Sleep Active
Less Sleep
Active
Less Sleep

Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian Special Abilities Comparison

Attention Span Long, active and intelligent Long, enjoys calm activities Long, focused and curious
Guarding Instinct High High Moderate
Protection Instincts High High Moderate
Climbing Ability High Moderate High
Jumping Ability Excellent Moderate Excellent
Swimming Ability Good Poor Poor
Water Affinity
Rescue Capability Good Moderate Poor

Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian Health Comparison

Litter Size 2-4 Kittens 2-4 Kittens 3-5 Kittens
Special Needs Active
Intelligent
Requires stimulation
Low maintenance
Independent
Active
Intelligent
Requires mental stimulation
Breeding Requires careful selection, moderate litter size Easy to breed, large litter size Requires experienced breeders, moderate litter size
Dietary Preferences High protein, balanced diet High protein, wet food High protein, low carbs
Solo Time Tolerance High Medium High
Noise Sensitivity Low Moderate Low
Genetic Diversity High Moderate Low
Sensitivity To Changes
Medium sensitivity
Medium sensitivity
Medium sensitivity
Food Motivation High High Moderate
Feeding Schedule Twice a day
Morning and Evening
Twice a day
Morning and Evening
Twice a day
Morning and Evening
Maintenance Level Moderate Moderate Low
Exercise Needs Medium Medium High
Life Expectancy
Which will live longer, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
12-17 years 12-17 years 14-15 years
Energy Level
Which is more energetic, Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian cat?
The Turkish Van cat has a very high energy level.
The British Shorthair cat has a lower energy level than other cats.
The Abyssinian cat has a very high energy level.
Hypoallergenic
Which cat is hypoallergenic, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
No
Turkish Van cats don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing an allergic reaction.
No
British Shorthair cats don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing an allergic reaction.
No
Abyssinian cats don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing an allergic reaction.
Common Health Issues
Which cat is healthier, Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian?
Low
Very healthy cat breed.
Low
Very healthy cat breed.
High
Abyssinians tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
Health Problems Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Deafness (particularly in white cats)
Ataxia
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Obesity
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKD)
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Periodontal Disease
Climate Cold Temperate Hot
Cold Tolerance Medium Medium High
Heat Tolerance Medium Medium High
Breeding Difficulty Hard Easy Medium

Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian Characteristics and Personality Comparison

Common Vocalizations Energetic and loving meows Soft and gentle meows Quiet meows and chirps
Interaction With Other Pets Good, but can be independent Good, calm and tolerant Generally good, enjoys companionship
Facial Expression Energetic and loving Calm and easygoing Alert and curious
Tail Behavior Energetic and loving tail movements Gentle swaying when calm Flicks tail when excited
Explorer Instincts High Moderate High
Attention Needs Moderate Low High
Protectiveness High High Moderate
Territoriality High High High
Independence High High High
Response To Commands High Moderate High
Adaptability To Indoor Life High High High
Hunting Drive High Moderate High
Play Style Active
Curious
Playful
Playful
Gentle
Calm
Active
Curious
Interactive
Escape Tendencies High Low High
Curiosity High Moderate High
Hunting Skills Moderate ⏺️ Moderate ⏺️ High ⬆️
Reaction To Strangers Friendly 😊 Cautious Friendly 😊
Stalking Behavior High Moderate High
Aggression Level Moderate Low Moderate
Training Difficulty Moderate Moderate Moderate
Agility High Moderate High
Travel Compatibility Medium Medium High
Activity
Moderately Active
Moderately Active
Highly Active
Compatibility With Other Animals Playful
Medium
Playful
Medium
High
Friendly
Tolerant
Household Noise Tolerance Medium Medium High
Playfulness
Active Adventurer. Turkish Van are quite playful and enjoy frequent play sessions.
Balanced Playmate. British Shorthair have a balanced playfulness.
Energetic Explorer. Abyssinian are extremely playful and energetic.
Trainability
Difficult to Train: Turkish Van cat breeds are the least responsive, most stubborn, and hardest to train, often requiring professional guidance and extra effort to achieve even basic results.
Moderately Trainable: British Shorthair cat breeds require more patience, repetition, and reinforcement to learn new commands and behaviors, but can still be trained successfully with consistent efforts.
Highly Trainable: Abyssinian cat breeds are the most intelligent, responsive, and eager to learn, making them excellent candidates for training, obedience, and tricks.
Lap Cat
Which cat is lap type, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
No
This cat sits on its owner's lap less than other breeds.
Yes
This cat loves to sit on his owner's lap.
Yes
This cat loves to sit on his owner's lap.
Temperament
Which one has a better personality, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
Agile Affectionate Active
Adaptability
Which cat has a higher adaptability potential?
Turkish Van cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
British Shorthair cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Abyssinian cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate cat breed: Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian?
High: Turkish Van cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers.
Average to High: British Shorthair cats are highly affectionate cats.
High: Abyssinian cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers.
Child Friendly
Which cat is more kid-friendly, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
The Turkish Van cat is a child-friendly breed.
The British Shorthair cat is a child-friendly breed.
The Abyssinian cat is a child-friendly breed.
Dog Friendly
Which cat is more dog-friendly, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
Very dog-friendly: Turkish Van owners often find that their cats get along very well with the family dog.
Very dog-friendly: British Shorthair owners often find that their cats get along very well with the family dog.
Dog-friendly: Abyssinian cats generally get on well with dogs.
Intelligence
Which cat is smarter, Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian?
Outstanding: Turkish Van is one of the brightest cat breeds.
Average: the British Shorthair cat has an average level of intelligence.
Outstanding: Abyssinian is one of the brightest cat breeds.
Social Needs
Which cat is more social, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
Above-average: they need more social interaction than average cats.
Average: they need as much social interaction as the average cat.
Lots: this cat breed needs lots of social interaction.
Stranger Friendly
Which cat is more stranger friendly, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
Above-average: this cat breed gets on well with strangers.
Below average: this cat breed tends to have difficulty getting along with strangers.
Above-average: this cat breed gets on well with strangers.
Vocalization
Which cat is the loudest, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
Frequent
This cat breed meows very often.
Low
Low vocalization cats are a category of cats that typically make less noise than other cats.
Low
Low vocalization cats are a category of cats that typically make less noise than other cats.

Turkish Van vs British Shorthair vs Abyssinian Grooming Comparison

Seasonal Shedding Moderate Moderate Low
Grooming Tools Needed Brush
Nail Clipper
Comb
Deshedding Tool
Brush
Nail Clipper
Comb
Brush
Nail Clipper
Comb
Dental CareLow High High
Grooming
Which is easier to groom, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
Low Maintenance
Occasional grooming is recommended to keep the Turkish Van coat in good condition.
Low Maintenance
Occasional grooming is recommended to keep the British Shorthair coat in good condition.
Low Maintenance
Occasional grooming is recommended to keep the Abyssinian coat in good condition.
Shedding
Which cat sheds less, Turkish Van or British Shorthair or Abyssinian?
Moderate
This cat breed is of average shedding.
Minimal
This cat breed sheds much less than the average.
Minimal
This cat breed sheds much less than the average.

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