Description: Tiffanie
The Tiffanie is a rare and elegant cat breed originating from the United Kingdom. Sometimes referred to as the Asian Longhair, the Tiffanie is a semi-longhaired variety that developed from crosses between the Burmese, Chinchilla Persian, and Asian Shorthair. These cats are known for their luxurious, silky coats and their expressive, almond-shaped eyes. Tiffanies are affectionate, gentle, and social, making them excellent companions for families or individuals seeking a loving pet. They tend to be playful yet calm, enjoying interactive games but also appreciating quiet cuddle time. The breed is noted for its adaptability and tends to get along well with other pets and children. With their striking appearance and adaptable temperament, Tiffanies are a coveted and enchanting addition to any household.
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Properties
The Tiffanie is a rare and elegant breed of cat known for its luxurious, semi-longhaired coat and affectionate personality. Developed in the United Kingdom, the Tiffanie originated by crossing the Burmese and the Chinchilla Persian, producing a cat that exhibits the playful temperament of the Burmese with the silky, flowing coat inherited from the Persian lineage. One of the breed's most distinctive features is its soft, fine, and semi-long coat, which often displays a silvery, shaded quality, particularly in the classic Chinchilla silver coloration, although other colors and patterns are also possible. Despite the coat's length, it is relatively easy to care for due to a minimal undercoat, leading to less matting and tangling than many other longhaired breeds.
The Tiffanie’s physical appearance is graceful and balanced, featuring a moderately cobby body, slender legs, and a well-plumed tail. The head is rounded with striking, expressive eyes, usually in shades of green or gold, that give the cat an alert and intelligent expression. The ears are medium-sized, slightly rounded at the tip, and set well-apart, complementing the cat's refined look. In terms of size, Tiffanies are generally medium-sized cats, with females weighing between 6-8 pounds and males typically slightly larger.
Personality-wise, Tiffanies are renowned for being gentle, affectionate, and sociable. They enjoy forming close bonds with their human companions and are often described as lap cats due to their love of cuddling. The breed is playful, active, and inquisitive, often exhibiting bursts of energy interspersed with periods of relaxation. Tiffanies are adaptable to different living environments, making them suitable for both apartments and houses, and they generally do well with children and other pets.
Health-wise, the Tiffanie is considered a healthy breed with no breed-specific hereditary health issues widely reported. However, as with many cats with Persian ancestry, it is important to monitor for potential dental and respiratory issues, though these are much less pronounced in the Tiffanie due to its more moderate features. Regular grooming is beneficial to keep their coat in prime condition and to reduce shedding.
Overall, the Tiffanie stands out as a rare, breathtakingly beautiful, and loving companion, ideal for families and individuals seeking an affectionate and low-maintenance longhaired cat.
Appearance
The Tiffanie is a striking and elegant breed, easily recognizable due to its unique combination of semi-longhaired coat and well-balanced body structure. This breed, also known as the Asian Semi-longhair, was developed in Britain by crossing Burmese cats with Chinchilla Persians. Its most notable feature is the luxurious, soft, and silky coat that flows smoothly along the body. The fur is moderately long, but not so abundant that it creates the excessive bulk seen in some Persian-type breeds. The ruff around the neck is often more pronounced, creating a pretty frame for the head, and a full, plumed tail adds to the overall elegance.
The Tiffanie comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, reflecting its Burmese and Chinchilla ancestry. Common colors include black, chocolate, blue, lilac, red, cream, and caramel, as well as tortie and tabby variations. The eyes are one of the breed's most captivating features, typically large, expressive, and of a rich gold or yellow shade, though green is also possible, especially in silver-coated varieties. The eyes are set wide apart, contributing to the cat’s alert and affectionate expression.
The head of the Tiffanie is gently rounded, with a short, broad wedge and a distinct but not overly pronounced break at the nose. The ears are medium to large, broad at the base with rounded tips, and are set wide apart, continuing the sweeping contours of the face. The muzzle is gently rounded, and the chin is firm, giving a well-balanced overall impression. The body itself is medium-sized, muscular yet elegant, and sits on slender but strong legs ending in neat, oval paws. Males are generally slightly larger than females but both sexes exude grace.
Overall, the Tiffanie showcases a mix of Burmese athleticism and Persian softness, evident in both build and coat. The semi-longhair coat is considered low-maintenance for its length, rarely matting and requiring only occasional grooming to keep it at its best. This breed’s appearance strikes a lovely balance between the plush, dramatic qualities of Persian ancestry and the sleek, animated look of the Burmese, making the Tiffanie a visually charming companion.
History
The Tiffanie, also known as the Asian Semi-longhair, is a relatively modern cat breed that originated in the United Kingdom. Its development began in the early 1980s as a result of a breeding program for the 'Asian' group of cats, which was initiated by British cat breeders, notably Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg. The breed's origins lie with the accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese cat, resulting in kittens that exhibited a beautiful semi-longhaired coat with the elegance and personality traits that drew from both parent breeds.
The kittens produced by these early matings did not conform precisely to either of the parent breeds, instead representing a unique mixture of physical features and temperament. Recognizing their distinct appearance—a medium-length flowing coat, rounded head, expressive eyes, and muscular yet graceful bodies—breeders decided to develop these cats as their own breed category within the 'Asian' group. They were initially described as Longhaired Burmillas, but to avoid confusion with other breeds, the name 'Tiffanie' was formally adopted. The term 'Asian' is used in Europe to encompass a group of breeds with Burmese-type bodies and various coat lengths and patterns, while Tiffanie refers specifically to the semi-longhaired variety.
The Tiffanie has not always enjoyed widespread recognition. The breed struggled for a time to gain acceptance from cat fancier organizations due to its hybrid origin and the complexity of Asian group breed standards. However, the breed gradually achieved pedigree status, and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in the UK awarded it official recognition in 1991. Today, Tiffanies are still considered somewhat rare outside of Britain and parts of Europe.
Throughout its history, the Tiffanie has remained closely tied to careful breeding standards to maintain its elegant appearance and affectionate personality. The breed is known for its striking coat, gentle demeanor, and intelligence, making it a cherished companion for cat lovers. As awareness and appreciation for its unique qualities increase, the Tiffanie continues to gain popularity among enthusiasts both in its homeland and abroad.