The Burmese cat
History
Burmese cats have been known for centuries past living in Burma, Thailand and Malaya, and have been imported along with the Siamese. But the striking appearance of the blue-eyed, seal pointed Siamese always left the Burmese in the shade. They were found in England in the late 1800s when they were known as Chocolate Siamese (nothing to do with chocolate pointed Siamese which appeared later), but these yellow-eyed cats were never favoured and gradually the breed died out in England, but persisted in Europe for some time.
In 1930 Dr Joseph Thompson imported a small brown coloured female cat by the name of Wong Mau to San Francisco. Wong Mau went on to be the "founding cat" for the Burmese breed as we know it.
A breeding programme was established in an attempt to produce offspring which bred true. Dr Thompson enlisted the help of Virginia Cobb (Newton cattery), Billie Gerst (Gerstdale cattery), and Dr. Clyde E. Keeler. Wong Mau was bred to a Seal Point Siamese called Tai Mau in 1932 & the resulting litter consisted of two colours, some just like Siamese kittens & brown kittens with darker points (like Wong Mau). Wong Mau was mated to a son from this litter (Yen Yen Mau) & this litter contained three colours, again, some like Siamese kittens, brown kittens (again like Wong Mau), and dark brown kittens.
The first Brown Burmese were imported into the United Kingdom in 1948 which with breeding programs gave rise to the first Blue Burmese in 1955 and was such an unexpected event that the first kitten was registered as "Sealcoat Blue Surprise". Since then, with intensive breeding programs, Lilac, Cream, Red, Chocolate and Tortoiseshell Burmese have been produced.
1957 saw the importing of two cats, Tomahawk and Calypso Pallar Athene, into Australia which would form the basis of the first Burmese breeding programs in the country.
Appearance
Sometimes described as "a brick wrapped in silk", the Burmese is a medium sized cat, with a well muscled, athletic body that typically weighs in at 4 to 6 Kg. It has a very silky & short close lying coat that like other short hair breeds requires no additional grooming & golden-yellow lustrous eyes. Females are smaller than males.
Personality
They are very affectionate and enjoy company, being a people-oriented breed who form strong bonds with their owners and gravitate toward human activity. Burmese are intensely social animals and assume that they are fully accepted in all aspects of human family life ...The Burmese wants to help! ... Burmese do not like to feel neglected ... Burmese cats can defend themselves quite well against other cats, even those larger than themselves. They maintain kitten-like interests and energy throughout their adulthood, to entertain a Burmese provide plenty of simply but amusing toys (Burmese owners and breeders talk of the mad half-hour) They have a number of dog-like characteristics, often learning to play fetch and tag. Burmese are good with children and dogs. They are suitable as an indoor breed of cat, will usually stay more affectionate if kept indoors and are comfortable travelling in cars.
Some breeders claim the torti coloured Burmese are especially outgoing, mischievous and rascally. They have earned the affectionate nickname of naughty torties.
Care
They are a low-maintenance cat: hand stroking is all they need for grooming. Regular nail clipping is recommended. A varied diet such as canned food, cheese, some mince and dried biscuits should be adequate. They should not be fed solely on dry food as this may cause kidney problems.
Burmese cats have been known for centuries past living in Burma, Thailand and Malaya, and have been imported along with the Siamese. But the striking appearance of the blue-eyed, seal pointed Siamese always left the Burmese in the shade. They were found in England in the late 1800s when they were known as Chocolate Siamese (nothing to do with chocolate pointed Siamese which appeared later), but these yellow-eyed cats were never favoured and gradually the breed died out in England, but persisted in Europe for some time.
In 1930 Dr Joseph Thompson imported a small brown coloured female cat by the name of Wong Mau to San Francisco. Wong Mau went on to be the "founding cat" for the Burmese breed as we know it.
A breeding programme was established in an attempt to produce offspring which bred true. Dr Thompson enlisted the help of Virginia Cobb (Newton cattery), Billie Gerst (Gerstdale cattery), and Dr. Clyde E. Keeler. Wong Mau was bred to a Seal Point Siamese called Tai Mau in 1932 & the resulting litter consisted of two colours, some just like Siamese kittens & brown kittens with darker points (like Wong Mau). Wong Mau was mated to a son from this litter (Yen Yen Mau) & this litter contained three colours, again, some like Siamese kittens, brown kittens (again like Wong Mau), and dark brown kittens.
The first Brown Burmese were imported into the United Kingdom in 1948 which with breeding programs gave rise to the first Blue Burmese in 1955 and was such an unexpected event that the first kitten was registered as "Sealcoat Blue Surprise". Since then, with intensive breeding programs, Lilac, Cream, Red, Chocolate and Tortoiseshell Burmese have been produced.
1957 saw the importing of two cats, Tomahawk and Calypso Pallar Athene, into Australia which would form the basis of the first Burmese breeding programs in the country.
Appearance
Sometimes described as "a brick wrapped in silk", the Burmese is a medium sized cat, with a well muscled, athletic body that typically weighs in at 4 to 6 Kg. It has a very silky & short close lying coat that like other short hair breeds requires no additional grooming & golden-yellow lustrous eyes. Females are smaller than males.
Personality
They are very affectionate and enjoy company, being a people-oriented breed who form strong bonds with their owners and gravitate toward human activity. Burmese are intensely social animals and assume that they are fully accepted in all aspects of human family life ...The Burmese wants to help! ... Burmese do not like to feel neglected ... Burmese cats can defend themselves quite well against other cats, even those larger than themselves. They maintain kitten-like interests and energy throughout their adulthood, to entertain a Burmese provide plenty of simply but amusing toys (Burmese owners and breeders talk of the mad half-hour) They have a number of dog-like characteristics, often learning to play fetch and tag. Burmese are good with children and dogs. They are suitable as an indoor breed of cat, will usually stay more affectionate if kept indoors and are comfortable travelling in cars.
Some breeders claim the torti coloured Burmese are especially outgoing, mischievous and rascally. They have earned the affectionate nickname of naughty torties.
Care
They are a low-maintenance cat: hand stroking is all they need for grooming. Regular nail clipping is recommended. A varied diet such as canned food, cheese, some mince and dried biscuits should be adequate. They should not be fed solely on dry food as this may cause kidney problems.
