Birmans

Birmans or Birman cats have originated from Thailand where they lived for many centuries in temples and were considered to be sacred animals. The exact origin of these cats is unknown. Although Birmans are color-point cats, they have white gloves on all four feet. The genetics of this coat pattern is still uncertain.

Purebred Birmans are generally large. They have a long cobby body and small ears compared to other cat breeds. This breed is a medium between heavy-boned and fine-boned cat breeds. The head of the Birman cat should be broad and well rounded; the chicks are full; the nose is roman. The eyes of the Birman cat are large and bright blue. The legs of these cats are heavy-boned with large round paws. The nose and the paw pads should be of the same color. The tail of the Birman cat is not very long. It’s covered with long fur.

The coat of Birmans is semi-long and silky, but not as dense compared to Persians. On the belly, the fur may be wavy. On the face, the coat is short. Male Birmans have a ruff around the neck. The preferred coat color in Birman cats is golden or egg-shell with darker points on the face, ears, legs, and tail. Seal, blue, lilac, and chocolate points are common in this breed; cream and red are the new colors in Birmans. Besides a traditional pointed pattern, Birman cats come in the lynx point and the tortie point. The hallmark of the breed is symmetrical white gloves on each paw.

Since Birman cats are born pure white and develop their full color at the age of 2 years, it’s difficult to foresee the future coat color of a kitten. Only when purchasing from a reputable breeder, you have an opportunity to see the parents of the kitten and get an idea of what it may look like in several years. When you are buying a purebred cat for showing it, study the breed standard carefully and examine the kitten for all disqualifying faults. In Birmans, the main disqualifying faults are: folded ears, eye entropion, protruding or depreseed skull, narrowing of the nostrils that affects breathing, abnorman number of toes, undershor or overshot bite, abnormal teeth angulation, spine or tail defects, and luxating patella.