| The Burmese is a relatively modern breed of cat to | | | | has patches of color on the legs, ears, face and tail, |
| Europe and the United States of America. | | | | similar to that seen on a Siamese. |
| Nevertheless, it is one of the most popular breeds. | | | | There are three different types of Burmese: |
| The Burmese is playful, affectionate, active and | | | | Contemporary (the most popular) |
| talkative, which makes the breed a real winner | | | | Traditional (is most similar to the original Myanmar) |
| among cat owners. | | | | European or ‘Foreign’ (slimmer than the |
| The Origins of the Burmese | | | | other two types of the breed) |
| The breed comes from the country formerly known | | | | Personality |
| as Burma, now known as Myanmar. In its native | | | | The character and temperament of the Burmese is |
| Myanmar, the Burmese is known as Copper Cat and | | | | one of the principal reasons for its popularity. |
| for hundreds of years the cat was worshipped in | | | | Typically, a Burmese cat is very affectionate, playful, |
| Burmese temples. The breed is also referenced in | | | | intelligent and loyal. Unlike some breeds of cat, the |
| The Cat Book of Poems, published in Siam (now | | | | Burmese is not particularly independent and enjoys |
| Thailand) between the years 1350 and 1767. | | | | the company of humans. Therefore, it is not |
| Therefore, the Burmese cat had established itself as | | | | advisable to own one if he, or she, will be left alone |
| a firm favorite in the East centuries before it was | | | | for extended periods during the day. |
| introduced to Europe and North America. | | | | According to owners of the breed, the females tend |
| In fact, it was not until 1930 that the Burmese was | | | | to be more adventurous and active, whereas the |
| brought into the U.S. by retired naval doctor Joseph | | | | males are more mellow and laidback. Like Siamese, |
| Thompson. During his retirement, Thompson spent | | | | the Burmese cat can be very noisy with a range of |
| time living in Tibet, as a Buddhist monk, where he | | | | calls, cries and meows. However, typically, the sounds |
| became captivated by Eastern cats. Thompson bred | | | | are not as loud as a Siamese’s are. |
| a Burmese cat with a Siamese to distinguish the | | | | Potential Health Problems |
| Burmese as a breed in its own right, rather than a | | | | There are not many health issues for a Burmese and |
| variant of the Siamese. | | | | one, which occurs in kittens, is easily fixed. Cherry |
| Consequently, today, all of the Burmese living in | | | | eye, which is an issue with the cat’s third eyelid, |
| Europe and North America are related to one | | | | can be a problem for Burmese kittens, but simply |
| common ancestor, Wong Mau, who was introduced | | | | surgery can rectify the issue. |
| to the Western world by Thompson. To begin with, | | | | The only other common health problem in Burmese is |
| he had trouble getting the Burmese accepted as a | | | | gingivitis. Owners should, therefore, be prepared to |
| genuine breed, because Siamese breeders felt that | | | | ensure that their cat receives preventative dental |
| the cat was merely an oddly colored Siamese that | | | | care. Less common health issues are cranial |
| would pollute the gene pool. After being recognized | | | | deformities, weepy eyes and breathing problems, |
| as a breed by the Cat Fanciers’ Association, in | | | | which can arise in the Contemporary Burmese, but |
| 1936, the recognition was later rescinded, in 1947, | | | | does not seem to affect the Traditional and |
| only to be reinstated in 1953. | | | | European breeds. |
| How to Recognize a Burmese | | | | If you like the sound of the Burmese cat, ensure |
| One of the most striking features of the Burmese is | | | | that you do some further research on the breed |
| its strong muscular bulk, which leads some to | | | | before welcoming one into your family. It is also wise |
| describe it as a ‘brick wrapped in silk’. This | | | | to seek out a reputable breeder or adopt a cat |
| also refers to the breed’s very soft, silky coat, | | | | through a local rescue center. |
| which can be solid in color or pointed. A pointed coat | | | | |