Birman
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| Birman | |
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| A sealpoint Birman's face | |
| Alternative names | Sacred Birman, Sacred Cat Of Burma |
| Origin | Thought to be Burma |
| Breed standard | |
| FIFe | standard |
| CFA | standard |
| TICA | standard |
| ACFA | standard |
| ACF | standard |
| CCA | standard |
The Birman is a domestic cat breed. Also known as "Sacred Cat of Burma"[1][2] (particularly so in some languages),[3][4] it is not to be confused with the Burmese, which is a separate and dissimilar breed. The Birman has a pale coloured body and darker points with deep blue eyes. The Birman breed is recognized[5] by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) and by the Canadian Cat Association (CCA)[6].
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[edit] Origin
The Birman cat is said to have originated in Burma,[7] where it was considered a sacred companion cat. A legend (retold in various forms)[8] claims that, after a raid on a local temple, one of the priests's companion cats placed its paws on its dying master and it was immediately made white.
The more recent history of the Birman is almost as shrouded in mystery as its legendary origin. What is known for certain is that the breed appeared around 1920 in France. One story goes that around 1919, a pair of Birman cats was clandestinely shipped from Burma to France. The male cat did not survive the arduous journey but the female, Sita, survived and happily, was pregnant.
A perhaps-separate account (as quoted by professor Jumand in his ‘Le Chat’), is that two cats, a male and a female, were stolen and given to an American millionaire, Mr. Vanderbilt, by a disloyal servant of the temple of Lao-Tsun, whilst Vanderbilt was sailing in the Far East. It reported that the pair was then given to a woman called Mme Thadde Hadisch. The male (again in this account) died on the boat, but the pregnant female gave birth in the French town of Nice in 1920 to a litter of kittens. One of the female offspring was splendid, and was then named Poupee. Poupee was bred with a Laotian Lynx. Baudoin-Crevoisier, who has been documented as a top Birman breeder, confirmed this in an article written in 1933, “Poupee could not be bred by a male of that breed, but was bred to a Laotian Lynx cat belonging to a doctor in Nice. This type of cat resembles the Siamese, with very blue eyes, and this breeding produced young mongrels of Birmans and Laotians. Through successive breeding was born a perfect result – Manou de Madalpour, whose marks resemble her mother, Poupee.” Baudion then wrote in 1935, “This female was next bred to a male Siamese, which, at that time was baptised for the circumstances –Laotian Cat.” In 1933, Marcel Reney, who was attempting to unravel the truth of this mystery, wrote to the doctor in Nice, M. Prat. He wrote back, “We have had indeed several Siamese cats but know nothing of the origins. I know nothing of Mme Hadisch from Vienna.”
Marcel Reney also wrote to M. Guy Cheminaud, a hunter from the Far East who lived in Laos, and whose books on hunting of feral animals were illustrious, to determine what his view was on the “Lynx cat of Laos?” He replied, “There are no Laotian cats as a species distinct from the Siamese cat!”
Jumand and Baudoin’s entire timeline fell through, as the most significant witness, the owner of the legendary “Laotian Cat” knew nothing of either the lynx cat or Mme Thadde Hadisch. Mmme Marcelle Adams, who owned Manou de Madalpour, avowed to Marcel Reney that a certain Mme Leotardi, before strangely vanishing, had narrated the tale as Jumand and Baudoin wrote it down. In 1933, after an article by Marcel Reney was published in “Chasse, Peche, Elevage” trying to gain new information, Baudoin wrote in 1935 in “Son Altesse le Chat”, “Aside from the writings of Sir Russell Gordon and Auguste Pavie, no document gives the exact origin of these cats. After six years of research and ten years breeding offsprings in France, the Sacred Cat Of Burma still remains a mystery...."
[edit] Breed Development in and Beyond France
The breed known as “Sacre de Birmanie” was registered with the French Cat Registry in 1925. Birmans were almost wiped out as a breed during World War II. Only two cats were alive in Europe at the end of the war, a pair named Orloff and Xenia de Kaabaa, both belonging to Baudoin-Crevoisier. The foundation of the breed in postwar France were offspring of this pair. Manou, Lon saito, Djaipour, Sita 1 and Sita 2, and they had to be heavily outcrossed with long-hair breeds to rebuild the birman breed. By the early 1950’s, pure birman litters were once again being produced. The restored breed was recognised in Britain in 1965 and by the CFA in 1966.
The Birman first arrived in Australia in 1967. "Grand Champion Stacpoly Kharma" and "Praha Shigatse" were imported from UK by Mrs J Starky of Sydney.
CFA reports that Birmans have been bred for being peaceful and friendly companions[cite?]. One of the basic characteristics of the Birman is that the color of the paws (should be white, according to the breed's standards)[cite?], whereas the color of the legs must not blend or intermingle.
[edit] Appearance
 Blue-point, one year old adult female Birman |
 7 month old, birman kitten. The markings are clearly visible and pure white. |
 Red point, two year old female Birman |
 Seal-point, two years old male Birman |
 Blue point one year old adult male Birman. |
Birmans have semi-long, silky hair, a semi-cobby body and relatively small ears compared to other cat races. In order to comply with breed standards, the Birman's body should be of an eggshell colour or golden, depending on the intensity of the markings colour. The markings can be pure seal, chocolate, blue, red, lilac or cream. Tabby variations are also allowed. Tortie cats can be seal, chocolate, blue or lilac. Birmans have sapphire coloured eyes.
The Birman's coat is unusual due to the white 'gloves' on each paw. They are one of the few cat breeds in the colourpoint coat that has fingers and toes in pure white colour.[9] The genetics of this feature may not be not fully clear, though a gene conferring the white 'gloves' has been identified.[cite]?
[edit] Birman kittens
 Adult female with kittens |
 Adult female with kitten |
 Adult female with kittens |
 Adult female with kitten |
All Birmans are born white (as other colourpoint kittens are) and they start developing their colours at the age of 1 week if they have a dark colour (as seal-point) and at the age of 14 days, or more, if they have a clear colour (as lilac-point). The first part which develops the colour are the points of ears, nose and tail. The real colour is complete at two years old and after a wintry season.
[edit] Colours and coat
 Lilac-point, adult male |
 Seal-point, 3 months old |
 Blu-point, adult male |
 Blu-cream-point, adult female |
 Blu-tabby-point, young male |
Points of Sacred Birman are: Seal-point, Blue-point, Chocolate-point, Lilac-point, Seal Tortie-point, Cream-point, Blue Cream point, Chocolate Tortie point, Lilac Tortie point. The same colours in Tabby version (Lynx): Seal Tabby point, Blue Tabby point, Chocolate Tabby point, Lilac Tabby point, Red Tabby, Cream Tabby point, Tortie Tabby point, Lynx or Red Factor colors on the legs, tail and face. Birmans differ from conventional colour-point cats by their white paws called gloves. The coat is medium-length, not as long and thick as a Persian's, and does not mat. A notable feature is their clear blue eyes, which remain blue throughout their life.
[edit] Gloves
 Posterior gloves of an adult male, colour blue point |
 Posterior gloves of a young male, colour seal-point |
 Anterior gloves of a young male, colour seal-point |
 Anterior gloves of a young male, colour seal-point |
 Symmetrical gloves of a Sacred Birman, colour blue-point |
The only allowed white areas are gloves. A spot of white in another area is a fault in a Sacred Birman cat. Gloves are symmetrical in all four feet. The white must stop at the articulation or at the transition of toes to metacarpals; and all fingers must be white too. The posterior gloves on the back paws finish with an inverted V extended 1/2" to 3/4".
[edit] Care of Birmans
 An adult seal-point Birman |
 Birman male (left) and female (right) kittens, 6 Months old (tortie-point, seal-point) |
Birmans have been bred for their temperament, and companionship, and they form a great affinity with their owner and their family. As all cats, they are highly intelligent creatures, and seem to take a genuine interest in whatever is taking place around them. They are also very inquisitive, and playful, particularly when young, and require plenty of stimulation and attention.
[edit] Birman Naming Conventions
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Many Birman breeders follow the somewhat whimsical French tradition of assigning all kittens born in a particular year given names that begin with the same letter of the alphabet. Countries with breeders using this convention include France, UK, USA, Australia, and New Zealand. Certain letters are skipped in some countries (France skips "W"). If you know the cat's country of origin, and whether the cat's breeder adheres to a country-standard or cattery-personalized naming convention, you may determine the approximate age of a Birman.
In the USA, for example, the entire alphabet has been run through once, ending with the letter "Z" in 2002, and beginning again with "A" in 2003. Kittens born in 2007 thus fall into the "E" year. The typical naming convention for a registered Birman in the USA is
"BreederCatteryName GivenName of OwnersCatteryName" up to a maximum of 35 letters and spaces (for CFA registered cats).
[edit] Standard Faults
The Sacred Cat of Burma is a fine breed cat with a fascinating appearance. Its magnetic look, sweet expression and charming appearance are due to a rigorous standard (= description of the Birman) which makes selecting this breed very difficult. Incorrect breeding may easily result in the loss of the sweetness and gentleness of its expression. Parents well adhering to the standard rarely give birth to kittens of the same level, suitable for continuing the breed selection. However, the Birman is often chosen as a pet for his loveable temperament.
Some examples of faults:
Body and structure:
- cobby structure: the body must not be short and rounded
- high legs compared to the body
- slim structure, thin figure
Fur:
- woolly fur
- presence of underfur
- matting and knotting fur
- rough fur
- fur too short
- fur too long
Colour:
- little contrast between points and body
- white spots on the body
- ghost marks presents also in an adult (except for the tabby variants and the colours red-point and cream-point and red areas of torties).
Morphology & profile:
- Siamese-like, triangular shape
- Persian-like, round shape
- eyes close to each other
- lack of a stop
- lack of a Roman profile (without a bump)
- receding chin
Mask:
- incomplete mask, which particularly in light colours (e.g. chocolate-point) is often limited to the nose
- too big a mask, which reaches the ears and part of the ruff
- white spot on the chin
Eyes:
- squint
- small eyes
- eyes close to each other
- round shape
- light and feeble colour
- dull and glazed colour
- colour not uniform, with lighter or darker streaks
- outer parts faded compared to the centre
Ears:
- ears placed too high, too long or sharp
- ears placed too close to each other
- ears bent backwards
Tail:
- short tail
- pointed tail
- tail with little fur
Legs:
- slim legs
- long legs
Gloves:
- asymmetrical gloves
- tufts of coloured fur in gloves
- interruption of the glove and resume after a part of coloured fur
- low or high gloves beyond the standard limits
- runners, gloves climbing up beyond the standard limits
- lack of upside-down V's
- lack of glove on one or more fingers
- lack of glove on one or more legs
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Birman |
- Birmans Club of Italy
- Birman Home Page
- National Birman Fanciers (USA)
- Sacred Cat of Burma Fanciers (USA)
- The Birman Cat Club (UK)
- The Northern Birman Cat Club (UK)
- The Birman Society Inc, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Birman Cat Fanciers Club of Queensland, Australia
- Birman Cat Club of New Zealand
- Governing Council Of The Cat Fancy United Kingdom
- Birman Cat Club of Australia Inc
- Sacred Cat of Burma Fanciers Australia Inc
