Norwegian Forest vs Turkish Van
Compare Norwegian Forest 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
Norwegian Forest
Turkish Van
Breed type
Purebred
Purebred
Height
30 – 35 cm
25 – 30 cm
Weight
5 – 10 kg
4 – 8 kg
Life expectancy
12 – 15 years
12 – 17 years
Child friendly
5/5
4/5
Energy level
4/5
4/5
Intelligence
4/5
4/5
Trainability
4/5
4/5
Health
4/5
4/5
Grooming needs
4/5
3/5
Shedding
4/5
4/5
Barking level
0/5
0/5
Aggressiveness
0/5
0/5
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Characteristics
Norwegian Forest
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Turkish Van
Great with kids
High energy
Super smart
Easy to train
Summary
About Norwegian Forest
The Norwegian Forest cat is a large, muscular Scandinavian breed with a dense, water‑resistant double coat and strong climbing ability. Slow to mature, they are gentle, affectionate, and intelligent, needing vertical space, regular grooming, and play to stay healthy and content.
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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