Birman Cats in Cat Breeds

The Birman cat originates from Burma, where it was considered sacred, the companion cat of the Kittah priests. The legend of Sinh “fails to explain the exact origins of the breed. Unfortunately history doesn’t do a much better job. They have a marvelous personality, and are gentle, active and playful cats, but quiet and unobtrusive if you are busy with other things.

History ( The Legend )
The Birman cat is believed to have originated in Burma, where it was considered sacred, the companion cat of the Kittah priests. Their coloring is the subject of a beautiful legend. Originally cats of the Temple of LaoTsun were longhair white cats with yellow eyes. The head priest Mun-Ha, had as his companion a beautiful white cat named Sinh. He often knelt in meditation before the golden goddess with sapphire-blue eyes, Tsun-Kyan-Ks with Sinh. One night the Temple was attacked by Raiders who killed the priest. In the moment of his death Sinh placed his feet on his master and faced the goddess. In that very moment his “white fur turned golden, and his yellow eyes to sapphire-blue, like hers; his four white legs turned earthy brown - but where his paws rested gently on his dead master, they remained white as a symbol of purity. Next morning, the hundred white cats of the temple were as golden as Sinh, who did not leave the sacred throne until, seven days later, he died, and carried his master’s soul into paradise. Since that time, whenever a sacred cat died in the Temple of Lao-Tsun, the soul of a priest was said to accompany it on its journey to the hereafter.”

The Temple was raided again in early 1900’s. Auguste Pavie and Major Gordon Russell, came to the aid of the priests. As a gesture of gratitude the priests sent them a pair of Birman in 1919. Unfortunately, the male did not survive the trip; but the female did and luckily she was pregnant. The French cat registry recognized the Birman as a separate breed in 1925.

“The earliest pedigrees were lost; the breed as we know it, and which was recognized in France in 1925, stems from one pair, Orloff and Xenia de Kaabaa. But the Birmans were to suffer further setbacks in Europe - after a relatively prosperous period in France in the 1930’s, by the end of the Second World War, there was once again only a single surviving pair, and it took many years for the variety to recover.” - excepted from a English cat book from the 1970’s.

A more likely scenario (as quoted by professor Jumand in 1926 in ‘Le Chat’), is that two cats, were stolen by a disloyal servant of the temple of Lao-Tsun and given to an American millionaire, Mr. Vanderbilt.

The breed known as “Sacre de Birmanie” was registered with the French Cat Registry in 1925. Birman breed almost disappeared during World War II. Only two cats were alive in Europe at the end of the war, a pair named Orloff and Xenia de Kaabaa, both belonging to Baudoin-crevoisier. The foundation of the breed in postwar France were offspring of this pair. They were heavily outcrossed with long-hair breeds. By the early 1950’s, pure Birman litters were once again being produced. In 1955 Birman breed was recognized as a pure breed again. In 1960 they were imported to Britain and recognized in 1965. American Cat Fanciers’ Association recognized the breed in 1966.

Colors and appearance
Birman Coat is Medium-length, not as thick as the coat in Persian cats and it does not mat. Their coloration usually get’s them mistaken for Siamese, but there is one feature that separates them from other point colored cats. Unlike all the other color-points they have white paws called gloves. The genetics of this feature is still unclear. Gloving gene is not completely understood, yet geneticists believe it is recessive and unrelated to the more common dominant “piebald” or white spotted factor gene. Both parents must carry the recessive gloving gene to produce kittens with white gloves. The placement of the white is nearly impossible to control, causing unpredictability in getting the right amount of white on each paw. The white gloving gene has incomplete dominance, which makes it rather rare to get the perfect show marked kitten.

Traditional Birman’s are born white with color beginning to appear slowly. The white on the front feet, called “gloves” and the white on the back feet, called “laces” takes time to appear.
“Gloves” are symmetrical in all four feet. “The white must stop at the articulation or at the transition of toes to metacarpals, all fingers must be white too. Behind of the back paws these gloves finish with an inverted V extend 1/2 to 3/4.”
Birmans have sapphire blue eyes. The color of the coat is light, preferably with a golden cast, as if misted with gold. The points (face, legs and tail) - are darker.

Color patterns of Birmans are:

• Seal Points
• Blue Points
• Chocolate Points
• Lilac Points
• Seal Tortie
• Cream Points
• Chocolate/Lilac Tortie
• Blue Cream
• Red/Cream Tabby
• Seal Tabby
• Blue Tabby
• Chocolate Tabby
• Lilac Tabby
• Tortie Tabby
• Lynx or Red Factor colors on the legs, tail and face.

Their body type varies from Persian-type to Siamese-type. They are averaged size, long stocky cats. Males generally range from 8 to 12 pounds, females are little smaller. Birmans have relatively small ears compared to other cat races.

Grooming
Birmans are very easy to groom. Their single layer coats doesn’t mat so a brief daily combing should do the trick and make your cat look it’s best.

Health
Birmans are very hearty cats. There are no common medical problems for Birmans. Cardiomyopathy can be found but it’s very rare. Some live 15 to 20 years or more.
Traditional Birmans are not fussy eaters are healthy and live quite long lives. Most breeders recommend a high-quality dry food. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times
Birmans usually require very little training. They typically teach themselves about the litter box as very young kittens and never forget.

So is the Birman Cat Right for You?
Birman are very people oriented cats. They are very intelligent and very curious cats who take a interest in whatever is taking place around them. A high intelligence is evident because they quickly learn their names. Birmans have a wonderful temperament. They are very inquisitive, and playful, particularly as kittens, and require plenty of stimulation and attention.
Birmans have soft voices - when they do decide to talk, its usually to remind you that they are waiting for dinner or your attention. They enjoy being talked too and will reciprocate with melodious, soothing meows.
Birmans are very attached to their owners and are known to adjust their schedule to yours. They are very devoted and well mannered cats. They will gently let you know when they crave your attention. Once received, they go on their way until attention is needed again.
They don’t like being the only animal in the home. They enjoy the company of another Birman, other cats of different breeds, children or a dog. They are definitely the perfect companion for everyone.

Kittens can be bought for $600 to $850 (Pet quality) or $800 - $1500 (Show / Breeder quality)
You can find the list of breeders on Sacred Cat Of Burma Fanciers website

You can also adopt a Birman cat or a kitten from one of the rescue sites below.

• Pet Finder - Click on any of their banners on our website
• Birman Rescue

Sources:

• Traditional Cats
• Wikipedia
• Cat Fanciers’ Association
• About
• The Birman Home Page
• Pet Publishing

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