The land of golden pagodas on the banks of the Irrawaddy, where the lights of great Mandalay shine and the long-necked women of the Padaung tribe wear their brass rings, gave the world a cat so beautiful you’ll want to bow down before her. The Sacred Birman: light some incense in her honor!
Breed History
The Birman comes from Myanmar (formerly Burma) on the Indochinese Peninsula. Long ago, these cats lived in temples and were considered sacred. But at the start of the last century (around 1919), an American millionaire traveling through the East was enchanted by the look of the temple cat and paid a huge price for a few kittens of this breed.
After World War II, only 2 cats of this breed were left in Europe. Little by little, breeders began to revive the Birman, crossing the surviving cats with Siamese and Persians. That only did the breed good: the new Birmans turned out even prettier and with better personalities! In the US, the CFA recognized the Birman in 1967.
Birman Personality and Traits at a Glance
| Affection for family | ★★★★★ |
| Shedding | ★★★☆☆ |
| Health | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Playfulness | ★★★★☆ |
| Vocality | ★★★★☆ |
| Good with kids | ★★★★★ |
| Friendliness toward strangers | ★★★★☆ |
| Ease of grooming | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Gets along with other pets | ★★★★★ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
Birman Breed Overview
Wherever Birman cats walk, there’s no room for negative emotions, only kindness and good vibes. The Sacred Birman is built so harmoniously that you could safely recommend her to anyone arranging their home by feng shui.
- The Birman beauty’s head is broad and rounded. The breed standard specifically notes flat areas in front of the base of the ears:
- the nose is medium in width and length, with the nostrils set low on the nose leather; there’s no stop, but there is a slight dip;
- the chin is strong and well developed, slightly pointed, with a level bite;
- the ears are medium-sized, as wide at the base as they are long, and set far apart;
- the eyes are round, with the outer corners slightly raised. The expression is soft, and the eyes are always blue. IMPORTANT! Newborn Birmans have bright blue eyes; then (at three months) they get a little lighter, but later the deep blue shade comes back.
- Birmans are naturally built with a strong, sturdy body.
The legs are medium length and set well under the body. The paws are large and round. The tail is medium-sized too, in proportion to the body. The fur at the base of the tail is sparse, and it gets noticeably fuller toward the tip; this is called a plume. Many Birmans hold their tail up like a horn, a lot like a rhino’s.
Adults weigh about 10–13 lb, and females are noticeably smaller than males.
- Coat and color
The Birman’s coat and colors deserve special praise. The coat can be medium or long, but it’s very silky and doesn’t mat. There’s a rich ruff around the neck, and the fur on the belly is wavy.
There are four classic Birman colors: blue point, seal point, chocolate point, and lilac point. Stripes or “marbled” patterns aren’t allowed. A black, gray, or red cat, even with a Siamese mask, is not a Birman!
What sets true Birmans apart from other cats with Siamese roots: the fur on the belly is always lighter than on the back and legs.
The Birman’s paws are special too. On the front paws, the white “gloves” end in an even line across the paw and don’t go past the angle of the wrist. Perfectly symmetrical gloves are desirable. The “laces” on the hind paws cover the whole foot and form a point up the back of the leg under the hock. Symmetrical laces are prized.
IMPORTANT! Birman kittens are born without their signature coloring: they’re completely white! Only by about six months do the Siamese-style points, gloves, and laces start to show. And the final coat color may not settle until age three!
Personality
Like a true temple cat, the Birman beauty can’t stand noise and fuss. Birman cats have good manners. Good breeding combined with restraint are the breed’s defining traits.
How can you tell your cat is angry? Just look around. If you can’t see her, the Sacred Birman has most likely chosen to withdraw proudly. Apologize right away, and, hallelujah, she’ll forgive you, since she doesn’t hold grudges.
Though the temple cat loves quiet, she doesn’t mind a chat. Her voice is soft, but she uses it often. Owners are firm on this one: “What a chatterbox!” But not a troublemaker!
Even though they’re very curious by nature, Birman cats won’t break your mother-in-law’s china by jumping onto the cabinet. They don’t like jumping around and misbehaving. Maybe just a little, and only if it doesn’t undermine their dignity.
They accept affection and cuddles with dignity too, and let children and guests squeeze them. And if there’s ever a fight at home, they’ll be the first to try to settle it with a demanding “Meow.” A very peaceful personality, a very refined breed!
Health
The cat gods gave the temple cat a strong immune system, but sadly, a few health problems are typical of the breed. One of them, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, is fairly common. Experts have also identified an inherited condition of the vestibular system (balance). Its signs appear at 3–12 weeks of age, but may then go away on their own.
Another hereditary condition of the Birman is corneal dermoids. A course of antibiotics and special drops prescribed by a vet handles this problem successfully.
Overall, though, the Birman is a very healthy breed, and a very fertile one too! A famous record litter of 19 kittens is often credited to a Birman named Antigone, whose owner, it’s said, warmly shook the paw of the happy father, a Siamese tomcat!
Sacred Birmans live 10–14 years. But there are exceptions! A Birman named Catalina in Melbourne, Australia, was reported to have reached 35, making her one of the oldest cats on record!
Care and Living Conditions
The most important thing owners must remember is that a Birman kitten isn’t cut out for life outdoors and loves warmth. Let’s take it point by point:
- Birmans most often die trying to escape to freedom. They don’t know how to land well, so a leap from an open window can end badly. And their innate refinement doesn’t let them hold their own against outdoor competition.
- The comfortable room temperature for a Birman is about 72°F and no lower! But don’t forget to air out your home.
The Birman’s coat has no undercoat, but it does have a unique quality: it doesn’t mat. So weekly brushing is enough to keep the coat beautiful. Clean the ears and eyes as they get dirty. Also don’t forget regular flea and worm prevention.
Feeding
Sadly, we don’t know what the priests in the temples of Burma fed their loyal cats, but judging by what foodies Birmans are, they ate delicacies. The Sacred Birman stays true to those tastes today. Birmans have a good appetite, and it’s all the nicer that they almost never become overweight.
Fans of natural feeding should know that a Birman’s daily food portion is about 5 oz.
IMPORTANT! Experimenting with low-quality dry or canned food can backfire: the coloring agents added to such food can change the signature tone of the cat’s coat!
Photos
Everyone picks a pet to suit themselves, judging a breed’s beauty by their own standards. Film star Romy Schneider chose a Birman over all other cats. His name was Balzac de Ranchipur, and this Birman often posed for photos next to his famous owner.
The legendary designer Karl Lagerfeld (who died in 2019) was given a Birman named Choupette by the singer Baptiste Giabiconi. Choupette became world-famous. Not every kitty has maids looking after her and recording her every step in a special notebook, and not every one has had entire collections dedicated to her by Lagerfeld himself.
Where to Buy a Birman Kitten in the US
Birman catteries usually have only a few litters a year, which adds up to a limited number of kittens, and many breeders keep waiting lists. These numbers, of course, affect the price.
In the US, a pet-quality Birman kitten from a reputable TICA- or CFA-registered breeder usually costs about $600–$2,000 (most often around $900–$1,400), and show-quality kittens can cost up to about $3,500. A cat without papers may sell for much less. Where should you buy a Birman: from a cattery or a private seller? The choice is yours, but registered breeders give you more guarantees.
Choose a Birman Cattery
- CFA (Cat Fanciers’ Association) Find a Breeder – https://find-a-breeder.cfa.org/;
- TICA (The International Cat Association) breeder listings – https://tica.org/find-a-cat/find-a-cat-breeder-listings/;
- The Sacred Cat of Burma Fanciers (a US Birman breed club with breeder contacts) – http://www.scbf.com/;
- Catabella Birmans (central Pennsylvania; CFA Cattery of Distinction; seal and blue point);
- Gryphonwood (CFA and CCA) – https://sites.google.com/site/gryphonwoodbirmans;
- Santal (Ballwin, Missouri).
The Birman cat: find your zen!
