Description: Burmese
The Burmese is a popular breed of domestic cat known for its affectionate, playful, and people-oriented nature. Originally from Southeast Asia and developed further in the United States and Britain, Burmese cats are medium-sized with a muscular yet elegant build. They are easily recognized by their striking, rounded features, short silky coats, and expressive, golden eyes. Burmese cats thrive in human company and are known to form strong bonds with their families, making them ideal companions. They often follow their owners around, eager to take part in household activities. Burmese cats are intelligent and curious, often engaging in play well into adulthood. Despite their playful demeanor, they are typically gentle and get along well with children and other pets. Their coats are low-maintenance and rarely shed heavily, requiring only minimal grooming.
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Properties
The Burmese is a distinctive and beloved breed of domestic cat, notable for its affectionate temperament, striking appearance, and rich history. Originating in Southeast Asia, the modern Burmese breed was developed in the United States and England during the 20th century, primarily from a single walnut-brown female cat named Wong Mau, who was brought from Burma (now Myanmar) to the United States in the 1930s. Breeders crossed her with Siamese cats to develop a consistent and unique breed standard.
Burmese cats are characterized by their medium size, muscular body, and round, expressive eyes that come in shades of gold or yellow. Their short, satin-like coat is fine, glossy, and requires minimal grooming, making them easy to care for even by novice cat owners. While the classic coat color is a rich sable (dark brown), breeding programs have expanded the palette to include champagne, blue, and platinum in U.S. standards, whereas the British Burmese recognizes additional colors and a slightly different physical appearance.
One of the most remarkable features of the Burmese is their temperament. These cats are famously people-oriented, playful, and loving. They enjoy being involved in daily household activities, follow their human companions from room to room, and often display dog-like behaviors such as playing fetch. Burmese cats form tight bonds with their owners and thrive on social interaction, making them less suited for extended periods of solitude. They are known for being vocal, though their voice is softer and less piercing than the Siamese.
Burmese cats are highly intelligent, curious, and can be trained to perform tricks or walk on a leash. Their energetic and playful kittenish behavior often lasts well into adulthood. Because of their affectionate nature, they usually get along well with children and other pets when properly introduced. Burmese cats are considered generally healthy, but as with all purebreds, they can be prone to genetic health issues such as hypokalemia or craniofacial defects; responsible breeding and regular veterinary care mitigate such risks. Overall, their combination of beauty, lively spirit, and gentle affection makes the Burmese an outstanding companion for many types of households.
Appearance
The Burmese cat is recognized for its distinctive and elegant appearance, which sets it apart among domestic feline breeds. This cat’s body is medium-sized and compact, with a surprisingly substantial weight relative to its size—a testament to its muscular build. Burmese cats exhibit a rounded contour in almost all their physical features: their heads are gently rounded, with no sharp angles, giving an overall soft and inviting look. The face is characterized by broad cheekbones and a short, broad muzzle that distinguishes it from other Asian breeds. Their eyes are large, expressive, and typically exhibit a captivating shade of gold or yellow. The eyes are widely spaced and slightly rounded, contributing to an alert and kind expression.
The ears of the Burmese are medium in size, set well apart, and slightly rounded at the tips, tilting forward a little, which enhances their perpetually curious look. Their legs are proportionate to their bodies, moderately slender, and supported by neat, oval paws. The tail is straight, medium in length, and tapers to a rounded tip.
One of the most delightful characteristics of the Burmese is their extraordinarily short, satiny, and fine coat. Unlike many other breeds, the Burmese coat lies very close to the body, feeling exceptionally sleek and smooth to the touch. This coat requires minimal grooming and adds to the breed’s overall allure. The traditional color is a rich sable brown, but over time, selective breeding has introduced other solid colors such as champagne, blue, and platinum. Regardless of color, the coat should be even and lustrous, with very little to no shading or markings present.
Overall, the Burmese cat embodies a blend of grace, strength, and elegance. Their physical attributes, from the curve of their head to the smoothness of their coat, reflect both refinement and robust health. The breed is often described as having a kittenish charm that persists well into adulthood, due in part to their rounded features and expressive eyes. The harmonious proportions and the tactile pleasure of their coat make the Burmese a visually and physically captivating companion.
History
The Burmese cat is a breed with a rich and fascinating history, characterized by both ancient origins and more recent, carefully managed development. The story of the Burmese cat is believed to begin in Southeast Asia, particularly in present-day Myanmar (formerly Burma). These cats were likely treasured by local people and Buddhist monks, with their ancestors living in temples, where they were revered and protected for many generations.
It is thought that the cats indigenous to Burma, known for their solid brown (sable) coats and captivating golden eyes, were present in the region for centuries before any formal breeding programs began. The earliest documented introduction of a Burmese cat to the Western world occurred in the 1930s. In 1930, a female walnut-brown cat named Wong Mau was brought from Burma to the United States by Dr. Joseph Thompson, a retired U.S. Navy doctor and passionate cat enthusiast in San Francisco.
Wong Mau became the foundation cat for the modern Burmese breed. Initially, she was thought by some to be a somewhat unusual Siamese, but upon breeding her to a seal-point Siamese male, breeders noticed her offspring included three varieties: pointed like the Siamese, solid brown (like Wong Mau), and a darker but less pointed variation. Further selective breeding established that Wong Mau herself was a hybrid – a cross between a Burmese-type cat and a Siamese. Over time, breeders worked to solidify the distinct look and attributes of the Burmese.
The breed was officially recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in the United States in 1936, initially allowing only the sable (deep brown) color variant. Later, British breeders developed a separate line known as the British, or European, Burmese, expanding the color range to include champagne, blue, and platinum, as well as red, cream, and tortie variations in some associations.
Though genetically distinct, American and European Burmese share a common ancestry but have diverged in appearance; the American Burmese has a stockier, more compact body and a rounder head, whereas the European Burmese is more slender and elegant. Today, the Burmese remains a popular and beloved companion, prized for its affectionate, playful personality and its rich historical background rooted in Southeast Asia.