Birman
History of Birman
Legend of Birman origin
Birman is also called Sacred Birman or Sacred cat from Burma. Its history is not known for sure unfortunately and thats why is covered with many mystic legends. One legend says that origin of Birmans was in a holy church in Burma, which was dedicated to the Goddess of reincarnation. Next to monks snow-white cats lived there. Monks believed that souls of their dead brothers were reincarnated into these animals. One of the monks was wise and religious man Mun-Ha. It was impossible to see him without his favourite tomcat with amber eyes called Sihn. The church was attacked and Mun-ha was killed. His faithful Sihn stayed with him. Mun-ha after his death was reincarnated into tomcat Sihn and after this happened Sihn started to be different. The colour on his legs, tail and face became darker and his eyes coloured with sapphire blue. Only his feet which touched monk´s body stayed white. All cats in this church went through same change and that´s how Birman breed had begun.
Documented origin of breed
Everybody who does not believe to legends must be satisfied with first information that Birmans come from France, from the beginning of 20. century. In 1919 a pair of Birmans was sent on ship to France (probably from Burma). The tomcat died on the way, the cat survived and fortunately was gravid. Her kittens started the Birmans breed. Birman became the accredited breed in France in 1925.
During the 2. WW Birmans were almost exterminated. After the war there was only one breeding pair left in Europe - Orloff and Xenia de Kaabaa. These Birmans helped to resume the breed in postwar France. Due to small genetic base these cats were massively hybridize with Persian and Siamese cats. Renewed breed was accredited in 1966 in England and in 1967 in the USA.
The Birman breed is currently accredited by FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline), CFA (Cat Fanciers´ Association), TICA (The International Cat Association), ACFA (American Cat Fanciers Association), ACF (Australia Cat Federation), CCA (Canadian Cat Association).
Look of Birmans
Birman belongs to half-longhair, medium-sized breed. Its hair is silky. Weight is between 2,5 - 4,5 kg. Adult tomcat can weigh up to 5kg.
Birmans hair is light (white, up to golden touch) and darker coloured signes (tail, legs, ears and face). Feet are white up to ankles, face from ears is separated with a light line. Eyes are blue. Kittens are born clearly white, as they grow characteristic colour signes apear and become more contrasting and darker.
Birmans become adult when they are about 4 years old.
Standards of Birman breed
Head is massive, heart-shaped. Head should be rounded with full cheeks. Chin is round and significant. Forehead is slightly arched. Eyes are oval, nearly round and in direction to nose skewed. Its colour must to be blue. Ears are small (compared with other breeds) with rounded top, gently inclined, suitably far apart. Nose is medium-sized, slightly raised. Body is long with solid skeleton. Legs are short, strong with round feet. Tail should be covered with long hair.
Color and signes
Birman occures with integrated, annealed or tortoiseshell signes in seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red and cream colour. Tortoiseshell colour only cats can have. In case a tomcat has this colour it is mostly connected with evolutionary defects, or with sterility.
The specific sign of Birman are white feet called „socks“ on both front and hind legs. These socks must be absolutely pure white. It should end by joint or between fingers and metacarpus, it should not go over this point. A bit longer socks are tolerated on hind legs. On back side of hind legs socks end in signs. Ideal "spurs" end with upside-down "V" in 1/2 - 3/4 of hock. Lower or higher „spurs“ are allowed, but should not go over the hock. It is important that socks are the same and symmertically white on both hind or front feet, or better on all 4 feet.
FIFé standards 2011 in english, deutsch and french (PDF, 0.1 MB)
Character
Birmans are lovely, kind and inteligent animals and they love contact with humans. They are also relatively happy with contact with other animals and also with children. They are very patient and they don´t react aggressive. Birmans are highly social animals, and greatly desire human companionship - they like to be a part of all what is happening, and they poorly tolerate loneliness. People who are attend to Birmans will have their endless attention and affection.
Birmans are relatively quiet animals, but also they can "speek with their humans", especially if something is not going well (for example it takes you long time to fill up their food bowls). But also in Birmans you can find exceptions (mainly tomcats), which are very smooth-talking. They are happy in house or flat, if they have enough place to move. They will be also very happy with controled movement outside (for example in the garden). But we are definitely not recommending to leave them outside alone without control, because of their lovely and friendly character.
Care
Birmans have semi-longhair coat. Even though their coat do not mat it´s important to groom it regulary once or twice a week. Just in case of transition to summer coat and just before show their coat needs more attention.
Health
Average life expectancy is around 15 years. In general Birmans are relatively healthy animals without essential medical complications.
But in all breeds with small genetic base you can find some hereditary defects. In Birmans is it mainly hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and also degenerative disease of peripheral nerves and hypotrichosis.
Guide price of Birman kitten with pedigree:
250 – 500 € for a pet kitten (not for breeding and shows) and double price for breeding/show kitten. The price is always derived from quality of both parents, quality and age of kitten and from other factors. Prices mentioned above are indicative only.