Burmese

The origins of the Burmese cat as we know it today are well documented. They are indigenous to countries in South East Asia, specifically Burma (Myanmar), Thailand and Malaya and were imported into England during the late 19th century, but were not as well accepted as the flashier blue-eyed Seal Point Siamese, and so they gradually disappeared from the scene.

Enter into the story Dr Joseph C Thompson, a practising psychiatrist based in San Francisco, California. In 1930 he brought a female cat called Wong Mau from Burma to the USA. Although fanciers of the day regarded Wong Mau as a dark Siamese, Dr Thompson was convinced she was distinctly different, and set about undertaking breeding experiments on a scientific basis with other breeders. Wong Mau was mated to another cat that had been imported from Thailand, a Seal Point Siamese called Tai Mau. The mating produced Seal Point Siamese kittens, and brown kittens similar to Wong Mau. A further mating of Wong Mau to her son, Yen Yen Mau, produced a dark sable brown coated kitten. This would indicate that Wong Mau was what we would now call a Tonkinese. Mated to Siamese Wong Mau produced Burmese/Siamese hybrids and pure Siamese, the darker coated kittens only appeared when Burmese/Siamese hybrids were mated together. The dark coated breed was given the name “Burmese”. Pure bred Burmese appeared in the UK after WWII, when Mrs L France imported four cats from the USA in 1949 and 1953. The breed was recognised by GCCF in 1952, and the Burmese Cat Club was founded in 1954. Today, Burmese registrations with GCCF rank fifth in breed popularity.

Originally, the Burmese was only recognised in the sable brown colour, but in 1955 a blue kitten appeared in a litter of kittens bred in the UK, indicating that the original imports from the USA also carried the gene for dilution of brown to blue. In 1960 GCCF recognised blue as an additional colour of the Burmese breed. In the intervening years, other colours have been developed, and there are now ten standard colours recognised by GCCF:

• Brown – rich, warm seal brown
• Blue – soft blue-grey
• Chocolate – warm milk chocolate
• Lilac – pale, delicate dove-grey with a light pinkish cast
• Red – tangerine
• Brown Tortie – brown with shades of red
• Cream – cream showing a distinct bloom on ears, the top of head and back resulting in a powdered effect
• Blue Tortie – blue with shades of cream
• Chocolate Tortie – chocolate with shades of red
• Lilac Tortie – lilac with shades of cream

The Cat Fanciers Association in the USA only recognises four colours in Burmese – sable (brown), champagne (chocolate), blue and platinum (lilac). Cinnamon, fawn, caramel and apricot Burmese have been developed in Europe and New Zealand and a new colour mutation, called russet, has appeared in some Burmese lines in New Zealand.

The Burmese is an elegant cat with a short, wide wedge shaped head with a rounded top of head and medium sized broad based ears. The eyes should be large and lustrous and preferably golden yellow, although any shade of yellow from chartreuse to amber is accepted. The eye shape is most important, the top line of the eye slants towards the nose and the lower lid is rounded; this gives the Burmese its distinct “look” or expression. Its body is medium in length and should be hard and muscular. When you pick up a Burmese it is very deceptive, you will find it feels much heavier than it appears – they are all cat! They have slender legs and a medium thick tail that tapers to the tip. The coat should be short, fine and close-lying with a satin-like texture. The coat colour should be even on the body, graduating to a slightly darker tone on the ears and face, and very slightly darker on the tail. The underparts are a slightly paler tone, and there should be no ghost tabby markings evident.

Cuddly, confident and sociable sums up the Burmese cat perfectly.  If you are looking for an outgoing, lively cat who wants to be part of your family then the Burmese is for you.  Burmese cats love the company of people; they are very good with children, other cats and dogs and are said to stay close to home.  If you enjoy the quiet life, the athletic, fun-loving and mischievous Burmese probably isn’t for you! The Burmese has a soft, soft sweet voice and will enjoy a conversation with you if encouraged. Burmese are intensely social animals and assume that they are fully accepted in all aspects of human family life.  They do not like to feel ‘neglected’ and are always willing to help!  They are very playful and will appreciate an assortment of toys and games in which you will need to be fully immerse yourself!

At maturity, males are large and handsome; females are more delicate and graceful, and the difference in weight between them may be as much as two or three pounds. Males usually weigh around 11 to 14 lbs, with the females ranging from 6 to 9 lbs. Life span is 16 to 18 years. Burmese are low maintenance in terms of grooming. Their satin-like coats require weekly grooming with a rubber brush to remove loose hairs and polish the coat to a high gloss. The oils from your hand and gentle stroking of the coat help maintain its balance and a quick wipe with a chamois will give that final finishing touch. Most Burmese thoroughly enjoy this simple grooming ritual and may will insist upon it!

The GCCF Burmese registration policy strongly recommends that all Burmese used for breeding are tested for Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy (HK). There is a simple DNA test for this inherited disease, which is caused by a recessive gene; kittens bred from two negative parents will themselves be free of the disease. HK causes muscle weakness due to low levels of blood potassium, this sometimes affects the neck and limbs, and affected individuals will have problems walking or holding their heads correctly; in severe cases it can lead to early death. New owners should always ask for proof of DNA testing when purchasing a Burmese kitten.

Care should be taken not to let an older Burmese gain too much weight as there is a slight tendency to Diabetes in the breed and the risk rises with age and increased body weight.