Cattery Specialising In Birmans
Legend tells us that the ancient temples of Burma were once guarded by beautiful golden eyed, white cats. It was believed that these cats carried the souls of their beloved priests to heaven. One night, the temple came under attack by intruders from nearby Siam, and the head priest, Mun-Ha, was killed. At the moment of his death, his companion cat named Sinh, placed his feet on his master and faced the goddess Tsun Kyan-Kse. As Mun-Ha took his last breath, Sinh's body began to transform.
His white fur took on a golden cast and his golden eyes turned as blue as the eyes of the goddess. His ears, nose, tail and legs became dark like the earth, marking the impurity of all that touches the ground. His feet, however, where they touched the priest, remained pure white as a symbol of purity. Seven days later, Sinh died, taking the soul of Mun-Ha to paradise.
What is known as fact, is that the first Birmans appeared in France in 1919, where they were recognised as a seperate breed by 1925. By the end of World War II, hardly any Birmans were alive and it was necessary to re-establish the breed. This was done thanks to devoted breeders, and by the 1960's, the Birman was again plentiful and exported around the world. In 1960 an American enthusiast, Mrs. Griswold, acquired two Tibetan Temple kittens (Birmans) and shortly afterwards, Birmans from France were brought to the United States where the breed was recognised in 1967. The British GCCF had granted recognition to the Birman during the previous year and now the breed is popular worldwide.
The Birman, is classified as a semilong-haired cat. They have a long, stocky and muscular body. The Birman face and muzzle are medium and round, the eyes set wide apart, medium in size, round and always blue
The coat colour is white to cream, with dark points - similar to the coat patterns of the siamese and Colourpoint Persians. The most common point colours are Seal (dark brown) Blue (slate grey), followed by Lilac and Chocolate. Today new colours and patterns being developed, include Red and Creampoints, as well as Tabby, Tortie and Tortie Tabby points. With age, the coat develops a "golden mist" of shading, which is more apparent in Sealpoints.
Birmans are most easily identified by their four snow white feet, called gloves. At shows, they are judged on the symmetry of the gloves, which therefore play an important part when determining the quality of the kittens. Interesting, is the fact that genetics cannot yet explain how the amount of white on each foot is controlled and even perfectly gloved parents can produce poorly marked kittens.
Litters average between 3 and 5 kittens which are all born pure white. The body points become visible at about 10 days, but it can be up to 12 weeks or more before a true evaluation of the quality of the kitten can be made. Slow to mature, the Birman does not achieve full growth in size, bone structure and coat until its third year.
Often compared to rabbit fur, the Birman has a very soft, silky coat that rarely matts, making it very simple to maintain. A quick combing every day or two is all that is needed to keep your Birman looking immaculate.
The Wonderful relaxed and patient nature of the Birman, makes them easily adaptable to their environment. Very affectionate and faithful, they enjoy interacting with people and each other, talking a lot with a soft cooing voice. Polite and dignified, the Birman rarely finds it necessary to raise its voice when conveying its thoughts and wishes. The direct, sustained eye contact and facial expressions are usually enough to force its owner into submission, because a Birman's wish is its human's command.
They are loyal and devoted, seldom letting you out of sight for long. They love to follow you from room to room, assisting in your daily chores. Sometimes a lap cat, but always a people cat, most Birmans will place themselves within petting distance.
If you like the beauty and elegance of a longhaired cat, the dramatic contrast of a colour-pointed cat and would enjoy and intelligent and devoted companion and friend, the Birman might just be the breed for you.