Known as the 'Sacred Cat of Burma', the Birman is a gentle, devoted companion. Their most distinctive feature is the pure white 'gloves' on all four paws — a hallmark of the breed.
- Origin
- Burma / France
- Category
- longhair
- Lifespan
- 12–16 yrs
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 3.5–7 kg
- Coat
- Semi-long, silky, pointed with distinctive white 'gloves'
- Colours
- All colourpoints with white paws
😺 Temperament
🏡 Best suited to
📊 Personality ratings
📜 History & origin
According to legend, the Birman was the companion of Burmese temple priests. When a priest died, his soul transferred into his cat, changing its eyes to sapphire blue and leaving its paws white to symbolise purity. The more factual history is that the breed was developed in France in the early 20th century, possibly from Siamese crossed with longhairs, and was nearly lost during World War II.
🧼 Care & grooming
Their semi-long coat is less prone to matting than a full Persian but still benefits from 2–3 weekly brushings. They are gentle, sociable cats that do not cope well alone — best kept in pairs. They adore being close to their people without being demanding.
🩺 Health notes
Generally healthy and hardy. Prone to Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in some lines. Corneal Dermoid (a rare eye condition) has also been reported. Responsible breeders test for HCM.
