Abyssinian vs Turkish Van
Compare Abyssinian and Turkish Van side by side and get a clear picture of what sets the breeds apart. Explore differences in size, weight, temperament, activity level, and other key traits to more easily decide which breed best fits your lifestyle and circumstances.
Characteristic
Abyssinian
Turkish Van
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
20 – 25 cm
25 – 30 cm
Weight
3 – 5 kg
4 – 8 kg
Life expectancy
9 – 13 years
12 – 17 years
Child friendly
4/5
4/5
Energy level
4/5
4/5
Intelligence
5/5
4/5
Trainability
2/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
2/5
3/5
Shedding
3/5
4/5
Barking level
0/5
0/5
Aggressiveness
2/5
0/5
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Characteristics
Abyssinian
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Low grooming
Turkish Van
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Summary
About Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a medium, athletic cat with a sleek, ticked coat and large expressive eyes, often likened to a miniature wildcat. Active, intelligent, and social, it thrives on play, training, and family interaction, needs little grooming, and is generally healthy with some testable inherited risks.
About Turkish Van
The Turkish Van is a large, athletic, semi-longhaired cat known for its mostly white “Van pattern” with color on head and tail. Intelligent and curious, it enjoys water, active play, and puzzle toys. Affectionate but independent, it bonds closely while preferring to stay near rather than on laps.
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