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SHORT HAIRED CATS

SHORT-HAIRED BROWN BURMESE

In 1930, a female brown foreign-type cat was taken from Burma to North America. This cat was most attractive and much admired. As no brown make was available, she was mated to a Siamese and from the resultant litter and carefully selected breeding, the Burmese cat became a recognised breed in the United States of America.
In 1947 a breeder imported from an American cattery the first pair seen in Britain. The queen came over already mated, but unfortunately the long period of quarantine told on her health, and all the kittens died. In 1953 another male called Cas Gotos De Foong was imported from the United States, and these cats are the foundation of the breed in Britain. The first queen did not live long, but left progeny which has been of the highest value to fanciers. Since 1952 the Burmese have had a breed number, and that their popularity is rapidly increasing may be judged by the number exhibited at shows today. In 1957 an outstanding male was imported from the United States, Champion Darsham Kudiram, and this is proving a great asset in the breed by bringing new strains into the pedigrees, and helping to correct many faults.
The colour of the Burmese is most important. In maturity the body should be a solid colour of rich dark brown, shading to slightly lighter on the chest and belly.
The coat should shine as though polished. There must be no white or tabby markings. In young cats slight tabby markings are sometimes seen on flanks and tail and legs, but more often than not these disappear as the cat grows older.
The head should be wedge-shaped, not quite so long as that of the Siamese. The chin must be firm. Compared again with the Siamese, the muzzle is slightly blunter and the ears less prominent. The long, svelte body should be dainty, neat and firm, with a fine close-lying glossy coat. The long tail is thin and tapering to a point, although it may not be quite as whip-like as that of the Siamese. A slight kink is permissible, but only at the very tip. The eye colour is that slightly greenish shade of yellow known as Chartreuse, and Oriental-shaped eyes of this colour look really beautiful in the dark seal-brown face.
Burmese make enchanting pets. They are one of the friendliest of the breeds of cats, very placid, and rarely suffer from show nerves. In fact, at show, they seem to go all out to attract the judges’ attention. They require very little show preparation, as a Burmese cat’s coat when in top condition will literally shine with health.
The kittens are coffee-coloured when born, and, although on the small side, become very active at an early age. They are most appealing and love to be noticed by all visitors. The coat colouring gradually darkens and faint points may be seen. It is not until the age of twelve months or more that the true seal brown colour is reached and, although almost indistinguishable, the faint points and mask, as in the Siamese, may still be visible in the adult cat.
Because of their excellent quality British-bred Burmese are now exported to many countries abroad.

Standard Points

Body
colour In full maturity the body should be a solid colour of
rich dark seal brown shading to slightly lighter on chest
and belly. No white or tabby markings. Ears, mask and
points only slightly darker than back coat colour. Awards
should be withheld from mature cats showing decided
contrast between coat colour and points.
In kittens and young cats all colours may be slightly
lighter with greater contrast allowed between coat colour,
mask and points. Kittens generally even lighter and may
show tabby bars. 25

Body, shape
and tail The body should be medium in size, dainty, long and svelte.
Neck long and slender, legs proportionately slim, hind legs
slightly higher than front, feet small and oval in shape. Tail
long and tapering to a point. A slight kink at the extreme tip
only is permissible. 25

Head and
ears The face should be wedge-shaped, but shorter, blunter and
wider at jaw hinge than Siamese. The top of the head should
be slightly rounded; profile should show a firm chin and a
profile break at the top of the nose. Ears should be relatively
large – wide at the base and slightly rounded at the tip. The
outer line of the ears should continue the wedge-shape of the
face. A jaw pinch is a fault. 15

Eyes Should be large, lustrous, wide apart, slanting towards the
nose. The aim is for eyes of a clear, fairly intense, golden
yellow, but the majority of the present-day Brown Burmese
have eyes of chartreuse yellow. Really green eyes is a
serious fault. 15

Coat Should be short, fine in texture, and lying close to the body –
a distinctive feature is the glossy sheen of the coat, which is characteristic of good health. 10

Condition Should be well muscled and carrying no fat. A Burmese
cat has a typical firm feel when handled. 10

Note- It is recommended that only cats of true Burmese parentage be eligible for Championship status.