The Birman Cat, also known as the “Sacred Cat of Burma” is the cat of legend and mystery and legend. Birman is a domestic cat, which is color-pointed with four bright white feet, blue eyes, and long silky hairs. These cats are semi-longhaired having a darker coloring to the face, points, legs, tail, and ears and body color of pale tone, weighing between seven and 12 pounds. They are usually elongated, strongly built, and stocky, neither thin nor stocky. Their unique head has powerful jaws, a strong chin, and a medium-length looking nose.Their head is rounded and broad with medium-size ears. These beautiful cats come in a variety of different colors.
The Birman cats are affectionate and calm feline who loves enjoying time with their family — particularly if you spend much attention on this ancient temple idol. Birmans go along fine with other pets and children. Birmans respond in a pretty, soft voice when you talk to them. Although a Birman is usually not active as compared to some breeds, however, they have a serious playful side. They don’t usually chase or fetch a ball — when they are not curled up in the lap.
The Silky coat that Birmans have does not shed much; combing it two times a week keeps it nice. Other grooming requirements of Birman include ear cleaning, tooth brushing, and routine nail trimming. The Birman can produce periodontal disease, therefore, it is important to schedule veterinary cleanings.
PERSONALITY
Birmans are gentle, affectionate, and loyal friends, having been bred as companion cats for multiple generations. They have an air of pride that looks to draw affection from their respective families. They are docile, quietly spoken, affectionate, and very intelligent, according to some, are usually extremely people-oriented, but not too noisy. Birman cats are sociable, smart, and friendly cats that will commonly greet guests with curiosity instead of fear. Because of their kind natures, Birmans are very easy to care for, handle, and they are ideal pets for everyone who wants quiet partners that will give affection and love.
Birmans are not asking for your attention, but they will surely let you know when a head scratch or some petting is required. Then they will go on their business till it is time for you to again love them. You should also have your Birman treated with interactive stuff and toys that need him to do some thinking and going to pop-out kibble or treats.
HISTORY
There is no clear record of the origin of this breed. They are commonly claimed to be originated as companions of the temple priests in the northern Burma on Mount of Lugh. There are a lot of stories about how these cats first came to the France, including a number of cats rewarded for helping in defending a temple. The earliest evidence of ancient Birmans goes back to a Mme Leotardi in Nice, France.
According to the ancient legends, pure white cats used to reside in the Country of Burma’s Buddhist temples and were respected as feline carries of the priests’ souls who has left the mortal plain. (Transmutation is the term used for this process, meaning to change from one to another form). Tsim-Kyan-Kse was worshiped in these temples, represented by a golden statue having bright sapphire eyes. Mun-Ha was a priest and a worshiper of Tsim-Kyan-Kse who worked at the temple of Lao-Tsun. On Every evening Mun-Ha’s constant companion Sinh, one of those 100 sacred white cats living at the temple, followed Mun-Ha for his evening prayers on the golden statue.
One day, marauders of Siam attacked the temple for its wealth and struck Mun-Ha down. As Mun-Ha was dying, Sinh placed his paws on the head of Mun-ha head and viewed Tsim-Kyan-Kse’s statue. Suddenly, white fur of Sinh transformed into an elegent golden hue, his legs, face, and tail darkened to the shade of the ground, and his eyes turned sapphire blue from yellow. However, the paws of Sinh remained white as a representation of the pure spirit of Mun-Ha. On the next morning, all cats in the temple had encountered the exact transformation. For the following seven days, Sinh denied all food and eventually died.
A less romantic and more scientific story of the Birman breed, also known as the Sacred Cat of Burma, starts in 1919 when a couple of these cats came to France. Two separate accounts are linked with this couple of cats and, same as the legend, none of them can be documented. The first one claims that around the 20th century’s start, the temple of Tsim-Kyan-Kse was raided again. Two Westerners, Major Gordon Russel, and AugustePavie helped some priests and their sacred cats in escaping to Tibet. When the two came again to France in the year 1919, they were presented with a couple of Birman cats by the pleasant priests.
In the second account that’s less heroic, a person named Mr. Vanderbilt bought a couple of Birmans from a disgruntled assistant of Lao-Tsun’s temple. In both stories, Maldapour, the male cat, died on the ocean journey to France, but Sita, the female one, arrived pregnant in France with offspring of Maldapour and became the European foundation of the Birman Cat breed.
These cats increased, and the Birman was formally identified in France in 1925. Until the Chaos of World War II, the country enjoyed the breed. then the breed nearly became extinct. At a point, the Birman breed dwindled to a pair of cats again. It took a lot of years to restore the Birman; the breeds that revive the breed was likely Siamese and Persians (and maybe others, like the Turkish Angora), though by 1955 the breed had reached its former glory.
The first couple of Birman cats landed in the US in 1959, and it was the CFA accepted the Birman in 1969. Since then, the Birman has grown in the North America and has become well-known and famous. Now, the Birman is counted among the most famous longhaired breeds.
TEMPERAMENT
Affectionate and Sweet! These are the most loyal words to explain the personality of the Birman cat. These cute animals have been raised to be friendly with everyone from the family (including other dogs or cats if properly introduced). Birmans are also super playful and fun. But they clearly have an “off” switch, so you will not see them walking around the house at night hours. Instead, there are more chances of finding them curled up at your bed’s foot or on your lap. Their laid-back nature makes them an ideal family pet.
Birman Cats are a friendly breed that likes attention, but they are not demanding and loud of it. After all, if someone is as glamorous as Birman, they don’t have to do things to get what they want. Younger Birmans enjoy the good game of “chase the laser,” but after she gets mature, she will be satisfied just walking around your house assuring if everything is in good order. They are a very unique breed that is easy to train.
Physical Attributes
HEAD
The Skull is broad, strong, and rounded; a small flat spot on the front of both ears, and a tiny flat spot on the forehead among the ears. The forehead is little convex and slopes back. Length of the nose is medium and width, in balance to the size of head; nose rises below eyes and is Roman (lightly convex) in profile and shape; the nostrils on nose leathers are set low. Cheeks full with a somewhat rounded muzzle; the muzzle is neither pointed and narrow nor short and blunted. Jaws huge. Chin is well-developed and strong.
BODY
The body is stocky and elongated, having a good muscular feel.
EYES
Eyes are nearly round with sweet expressions. The color is Blue. Set well apart, with outer corner tilted very little upward.
EARS
The length of ears is medium; nearly as broad at the base as tall. Modified to a round point at the top; set as much to the side as to the tip of the head.
PAWS AND LEGS
Paws are round, large, and firm; 5 toes in front, 4 behind. Paw pads: sometimes pink having dark spots on paw pads due to two colors in the pattern. Legs are heavy and medium in length.
TAIL
The length of the tail is medium, in pleasant balance to the body.
COLOR
Blue point, Seal point, lilac point, and chocolate point. Body-color even; sharp contrast between points and body color. Points of ears, mask, tail, and legs dense and clearly defined all the identical shade. Mask covers the whole face and whisker pads and combines to the ears by tracings. Front paws have white gloves finishing in an even line over paw at, or between, either second or third joints. The upper limit of white is the metacarpal (dew) pad. Back Paw’s glove covers all toes; may stretch even higher than those front gloves. Gloves stretch up the back of the hock, known as laces.
COAT
The coat is medium-long to long, with silken texture, having heavy ruff around the neck; somewhat curly on the stomach. Fur doesn’t mat.
SOME OTHER FACTS
- The Birman has an average lifespan of 12 – 16 years.
- The typical Birman cats weigh between 10 and 12 lb (4 and 5 kg)
- An average Birman cat has an overall height of 8-10 inches (20- 25 cm) and a body length of 15-18 inches (33-46 cm).
- The name of this breed is taken from Birmanie, the French form of Burma.
- Birman cats tend to be calmer and quieter than other breeds. They may be more likely to cuddle than travel and are normally less inclined to try their new claws when playing.
- Similar to all color point cats, the Birman cats are born completely white and grow their color when they age. They begin growing their colors from the age of a week if they have a dark color (as seal-point) and after 14 days, or more if they have a clear color (as lilac-point). The initial section which develops the color is the points of the nose, ears, and tail. The actual color is complete after the kitten gets two years old and after the wintry season.
LIVING NEEDS
Birman cats may seem charming, but that does not mean they want high-end luxuries to be happy. However, if it is a partial estate or a small apartment, Birmans will make it equally. They also do go nice with canine or feline roommates, as long as everyone is introduced properly. But, as long as you enjoy some quality time with them after getting home from work, they don’t mind the single life.
Birmans are pretty active and love batting around plastic balls or few felt mice to stay busy and will enjoy a cat tree from where they can take in the view from above. Yet, Birmans are more inclined to commandeer your bed, it is still good to give them a one or two bed of their own.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
- How much does a birman cat cost?
Birman kittens can cost, on average of somewhere between $400 to $600.
- Is Birman cat and Burmese cat same?
Although their names are similar, the Birman cat and the Burmese cat are entirely different breeds.
- Does Birmans make top-ten lists in the United States?
Birmans consistently make the top ten lists in the United States.
- Are Birman Cats good with Dog?
Birmans love to play tag, chase, and even fetch balls. They are the best playmate for your dog.
- Is Birman Cat Hypoallergenic?
While not officially listed as “hypoallergenic,” Birman cats do produce fewer allergy signs in many people than various other cats.
