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

The Siamese is one of the first distinctly recognized breeds of Oriental cats. The exact origins of the breed are unknown, but it is believed to be from Siam (now Thailand). In Thailand, where they are one of several native breeds, they are called Wichien-maat or Moon diamond.

History
The Siamese is considered by many to be a “natural” breed and is one of several breeds of cats from Siam described and illustrated in manuscripts called “Tamra Maew” or Cat Poems, estimated to have been written sometime between 1350 and 1700. “Tamra Maew” were found in old Thai manuscripts known as “smut khoi”, rice paper books.

The breed was first seen outside their Asian home in 1884. They were brought to England by British Consul-General in Bangkok, as a gift for his sister. The very next year three kittens produced by pair were shown at the Crystal Palace Show. Their distinguished look and an obvious difference from then known breeds left quite an impression. One of the early viewers described them as “an unnatural nightmare of a cat”. In 1902 England founded its first “Siamese cat fancier’s club.” Only seven years later 1909 “The Siamese Cat Society of America” was founded.

In the 1950s – 1960s, as the Siamese breed was increasing in popularity, many breeders and cat show judges began to favor the more slender look and as a result of generations of selective breeding. So nowadays according to the CFA show standard, Siamese cats look quite different from the traditional type. They are very long and sleek in design, with flat head, wedge shaped muzzle and Oriental-looking, almond-shaped eyes. The ears of the Siamese are quite large, and align with the sides of the head in a perfect extension of the wedge.

Colors
A true Siamese coat is very short, and should feel quite silky to the touch. All kittens are pure white at birth, with color point gradually developing from one week of age. Usually it takes about a year for a Siamese cat to reach the true dept of color. Regardless of the coat coloring the eye color remains deep blue.

The “pointing” gene creates the distinct color pattern that distinguishes the Siamese breed. This gene is recessive: two pointed parents will always produce pointed kittens. It’s also heat sensitive so the point color gradually develops on the cooler parts of the body. It’s also known that in warmer climates point do not fully develop. The Seal Point Siamese is genetically a black cat, but the pointing gene causes the color to manifest almost exclusively on the points. As the cat matures, the creamy body color will usually give way to a light shade of the point color, particularly in seal point and blue point cats. The base coat comes in various shade of white, cream or bluish silver, but it’s much lighter than the points (shaded areas on legs, tails, face and ears).

Seal points have a warm fawn colored base coat with dark, seal brown points. This is the best known variety of Siamese cats and the first recognized.

Blue points have a bluish white base coat with deep blue-gray points. This variety gained official recognition in 1934.

Chocolate points have lovely cocoa brown colored points on a creamy base. Recognized right after blue point.

Lilac points have a strikingly white base coat color, overplayed with pinkish-gray points. Recognition of Lilac point variety in 1955 completed the breed.

Red point Siamese do exist, but the color is not accepted by many breed clubs because it isn’t considered traditional.

Grooming
Siamese cats don’t require very much when it comes to grooming. There are a few things you should know though:

• Brushing can actually damage the color and texture of a Siamese cat’s coat. Simply wet your hands and run them smoothly over your cat’s coat to remove loose hair.
• Bathing is rarely needed. As alternative to water bath, u can use corn starch. Sprinkle it all over your cat, being careful to keep it out of its face. Gently work it in with your fingers, then brush it out with a soft bristle brush, or wipe it away.
• The ears of this breed are meant to be show stoppers. If you would like to enhance their width, try trimming away the longer hairs just inside the base line. This will give the illusion of greater width, and also allow for better air circulation.

Health

They are and average sized cats. Males weigh from 11-15 pounds, and females 8-12. Siamese cats are typically long-lived, 15-20 years is average, and over 20 is not uncommon. There are no known defects that are specific to the Traditional Siamese. In general, Siamese cats are a healthy breed, however there are a few things to watch for.

• Problems and diseases that can occur are Cardiomyopathy and respiratory infections. Respiratory infections are more common in kittens, so make sure to keep them away from drafty areas.
• Crossed eyes still crop up occasionally within the breed. Though undesirable, this is not a problem for the cat, and does not affect its behavior or longevity.
• Kinked tails also show up occasionally, but this is merely a cosmetic fault.
• Siamese cats are sensitive to anesthesia, which makes spaying/neutering, and other treatments bit more complicated.

From the age of about eight years it is advisable for them to have an annual health check to check teeth, liver, and kidney function. Things to watch for in any cat, purebred or not, include umbilical hernias, heart murmurs, and kidney disease.

So is the Siamese Cat Right for You?
Siamese cats have a great need for human companionship. They are known to bond strongly to a single person. Siamese cats are intelligent and people oriented cats therefore, if you want a cat who will spend all her time with you, than Siamese is the right breed for you. They are very inquisitive, very friendly and very, very vocal so be prepared to listen when your cat is talking to you. If it wants something, it will find a way to make you understand. The Siamese voice (meezer) is legendary.Their mellow temperament makes them a perfect pet for a child and/or seniors. They are very patient with children and usually they learn not to scratch when playing with people. When they decide they don’t want to play anymore they just make themselves unavailable unlike some breeds who tend to show a little aggression.

Never mistake intelligence with temperament. They are temperamental which sometimes make them hard to train, but those cases are very rare. They can learn to play fetch or to walk on a leash or a harness but if you are considering this walking option you should start teaching your cat at an early age.

They are known to become very attached to its human companions, so unless you have plenty of time to spend with your cat, you might consider a different breed. Still if you really want a Siamese cat you can get a pair of them. They love company, so two Siamese cats will keep themselves content when you are gone. They are also quite energetic so if you want a cat who sleeps all day try some other breed.

Siamese cat is low in maintenance, but high in personality so if you are looking for a real friend Siamese is the right cat for you.

They range in price from $200-$800 – registered cats from reputable breeders are more expensive. The list you can find on Traditional and Classic Cat International includes many breeders who are ethical and offer healthy, purebred kittens.

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

• Pet Finder – Click on any of their banners on our website
• Siamese Rescue

Sources:

• Wikipedia
• Love to know
• Travels with tigger
• Cat Fanciers’ Association
• About
• Cozy Cat Furniture