The first Burmese cat was brought to San Francisco, California, USA in 1930 by Dr. Joseph C. Thompson, who named this brown cat, Wong Mai. She was the only cat of this type in the USA at the time. Wong Mai became the founder of the breed in the United States.

Dr. Thompson mated Wong Mai to a cat most similar to her type, the Seal Point Siamese. Wong Mai produced a litter that were Siamese coloured, intermediate coloured (today's Tonkinese), and solid brown like herself. The solid brown Burmese colour continued to reproduce consistently enough to allow the breed to finally be registered in 1936.

After many years of dedicated breeding, the first Burmese (two females and one male) were brought to the United Kingdom in 1949. More Burmese cats arrived later, and the breed became firmly established becoming much sought after. Over the years, other colours were developed which are all represented at cat shows.

The ideal Burmese is a small to medium sized cat with a muscular frame, heavier than it looks, and a straight back. The Burmese is not as long and slender as the Siamese, nor as heavily boned as the British Shorthair. Their paws are neat and oval shaped with slender legs and neck, which give the Burmese a distinctive elegant look. The tail is medium in length, with a slight taper to a rounded tip.

The most characteristic feature of the Burmese is their amazing coats. Their coats are short, fine, sleek and glossy, lying close to the body, and satin-like in feel and texture. Their coats are easy to care for, a simple pat is often enough to groom it.

A Burmese cat is a wonderful companion and makes an excellent pet. They adapt well in large, noisy households becoming part of the family. They are an intelligent breed with a boisterous, lively and alert nature. They are also individual, playful, fun loving, and even tempered. Burmese thrive on company, both adult, children and other pets alike. Often dubbed the "dog of the cat world", Burmese are extremely people-oriented. Their personalities are almost dog-like in a tendency to shadow their owners and in a desire to give and receive affection. They are interested in everything their humans do, and will often help with all the tasks. Most enthusiasts say that the most outstanding feature of the Burmese cat is its affectionate nature. You can be guaranteed a loving welcome when you share your life with a Burmese.

 The Burmese cat has ten main recognised colours in the United Kingdom and Europe. These six are fully coloured, the original brown (rich brown mahogany colour), chocolate (light cream chocolate-coloured), blue (steel grey), lilac (light dove-grey), red (mandarin-coloured) and cream (very light warm red). Besides these full colours, there are four tortie colours, which are mixes of the full colours, Seal tortie (brown with red), chocolate tortie (chocolate with red), blue tortie (blue with cream) and finally, lilac tortie (lilac with cream).

American Burmese are commonly bred in two types: traditional and contemporary, with the latter being a more rounded look. They are only accepted in the traditional four colours of sable, champagne, platinum, and blue. All Burmese have wonderful large oval, lustrous eyes, which can range from chartreuse to gold-yellow.

Organisations

• NABB National Alliance of Burmese Breeders.
• Burmese Cat Society  British Burmese cat club dedicated to the breed.
• Burmese Cat Fanciers Australian club devoted to promoting, improving and protecting the Burmese breed.

Breed Books

• Guide to Owning a Burmese Cat by Justine O'Flynn.
• Burmese Cat by Justine O'Flynn.
• Burmese Cats: Everything About Acquisition, Care, Nutrition, Behaviour, Health Care, and Breeding. by Carolyn Vella, John, Jr. McGonagle.

Burmese Lifespan

Burmese cats have an average lifespan of 15 years but many of these cats live until they are between 18 and 20 years old.

Average Litter Size

5 or 6 in a litter are thought to be about average but these cats can have many more than that, sometimes even up to 12 or 13!

Burmese Recognition

This breed has been given Championship Status by all respected Associations.

Siamese have fascinated folks around the world since they were first officially exported from Thailand, or as it was known then Siam, in the late eighteen hundreds. Their sleek lines, striking color contrast, finely chiseled aristocratic heads, deep blue almond eyes, and short silky coats make them living art. Combine this beauty with acute intelligence, inquisitive personality and a loving nature and you have the essence of the Siamese cat.

The first Siamese to appear in England were a gift from Siam to an ambassador who brought them home. They began appearing in English cat shows almost immediately, and in American shows by the early twentieth century.

Seal points, still the best known variety, were the first to arrive. With their seal brown, almost black extremities and their pale fawn bodies, they were sensational. While chocolate points, with creamy white bodies and milk chocolate legs, tail, mask and ears did appear from time to time, it was the blue point that gained official recognition in 1934. The blue point has a bluish-white body with slate blue points. The chocolate point was recognized next. In 1955 the lilac point followed and completed the breed. The lilac point has pinkish gray points with a white body which makes it most ethereal and delicate in color.

While color is a prominent feature of this breed, structure is also important. The Siamese is a study in length. From the start the breed standard has called for a long, wedge shaped head and elongated body lines. The muscular, tubular body is supported by long legs and graced by a long neck and tail. Paradoxically the short, close lying coat accentuates the long lines perfectly.

The long Siamese head is delineated by an absolutely straight profile and well aligned chin. From the front, the outline of the face presents a smooth wedge with large ears that complete the wedge. The outstanding feature of the head is the pair of deep blue almond eyes (an eye’s width apart) which are set at a slant. If you have been able to resist all the other attributes of this breed, the eyes will captivate you. They radiate intelligence and emotion.

This ancient breed, perhaps the oldest of all our cats, is able to communicate like no other. The Siamese voice is legendary. They speak both with their voice and with their body. They are the quintessential “people” cat, for they love to be in your lap, on your bed, at your table--and in your heart!

Pricing on Siamese usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines distinguished by Grand Champion (GC), National or Regional winning parentage (NW or RW) or of Distinguished Merit parentage (DM). The DM title is achieved by the dam (mother) having produced five CFA grand champion/premier (alter) or DM offspring, or sire (father) having produced fifteen CFA grand champion/premier or DM offspring. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching (CFA disapproves of declawing or tendonectomy surgery) are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life.

General Physical Description

The Siamese is a medium sized cat with a long, lithe body that is graceful and elegant but still has a muscular feel. They should feel much heavier than they appear. The body is well balanced and athletic. The hind legs are higher than the front. The legs are slender and the paws are small and oval. The head viewed face on resembles a triangle tapering in straight lines to a fine muzzle. The profile should be straight with no breaks or stops and the chin is deep and strong. The head is carried on an elegant neck. The ears are large and pricked and are set so that they follow the lines of the triangle. The eyes are oriental in shape and slant towards the nose. There should be width between the eyes and they should not be deep set. The tail is long and tapering and free from kinks.

Colour

The coat is short, fine and close lying. The main body colour is pale with darker intensely coloured points. The coloured points only extend to the mask area of the face, ears, legs and tail which are the cooler parts of the body. Temperature can affect the colour of the points. A cat that has an operation often has temporary darkening of the points and cats that live in warmer climates tend to have paler points. The Siamese is bred in an incredible combination of thirty-two colours and patterns. 'Seal Point' - Points are seal brown, body is warm cream possibly shading to warm fawn on the back. Nose leather and paw pads seal brown. 'Blue Point' - Points are light blue, body is glacial white possibly shading to pale blue on back. Nose leather and paw pads blue. 'Chocolate Point' - Points are milk chocolate, body is ivory. Nose leather and paw pads are chocolate or pinkish chocolate. 'Lilac Point' - Points are pinkish grey, body is magnolia. Nose leather and paw pads are pinkish grey. 'Cinnamon Point' - Points are warm cinnamon brown, body is ivory. Nose leather and paw pads are pink to cinnamon brown. 'Caramel Point' - Points are brownish grey, body is off white. Nose leather and paw pads are pinkish grey. 'Fawn Point' - Points are warm pale rosy mushroom, body is off white. Nose leather and paw pads are pinkish fawn. 'Red Point' - Points are a rich bright reddish gold, body is a warm white. Nose leather and paw pads are pink. 'Cream Point' - Points are a cool cream, body is creamy white. Nose leather and paw pads are pink.

'Tabby Point' - The tabby point can be a tabby version of any of the above nine basic colours. The face will show clearly defined stripes especially around the nose and eyes with a distinct 'M' on the forehead. The whisker pads are darkly spotted. The ears show a thumb print pattern. The legs will show broken stripes of varying size and the tail is ringed ending in a darker tip. The body colour will be solid and appropriate to the main colour of the points. 'Tortie Tabby Point' - The tortie tabby point can be any of the above basic colours except red or cream. The tabby markings are overlaid with patches of red or cream giving an effect of mingled colours. The points will be mottled and the nose leather and paw pads may be mottled. The body colour will be solid and appropriate to the main colour of the points. 'Tortie Point' - The tortie point can be any of the above basic colours except red or cream. The points are mottled with red and or cream hair to form patched or mingled colour. The nose leather and paw pads can be whole coloured or mottled to match the points. The body colour will be solid and appropriate to the main colour of the points. The eye colour in all coat colours and patterns will be a vivid intense blue.

Weight - Height - Range

Weight: 3-7kgs          Coat Length: Short          Average Litter Size: 6

Lifespan

Siamese often live well into their late teens and it is not unheard of for them to live into their twenties.

Feeding

The Siamese is an active cat and will require 80 Kcals of food per kg bodyweight per day. This type of cat rarely overeats and will soon tell you how much he requires each day. It must be noted that Siamese should not be fat.

Ailments

Siamese cats have no specific health problems and are capable of living well into their teens. From the age of about eight years it is advisable for them to have an annual health check to check teeth and liver and kidney function.

Character & Temperament

The Siamese is probably as well known for its loud vocal personality as for its classic looks. They are outgoing extrovert and can be extremely noisy. They demand attention and to be part of the family. A Siamese is not an ideal cat for someone out at work all day as they do not like to be left on their own but this can be overcome by having two Siamese. They are highly intelligent and need to be kept amused. Toys and scratching posts should be provided for their amusement and they can be taught to retrieve toys. Siamese are immensely loyal to their chosen human and they may not tolerate rivals for their affection. They tend to settle best with cats of their own type such as Burmese or Orientals but being territorial tend to bully less domineering breeds such as the longhairs.

Noisiness: High         

Energy Level: High         

Suitability For Children: Medium

Compatibility With Other Cats: Medium         

Compatibility With Other Animals: Medium

Show Characteristics

Siamese are extremely popular show cats and are responsible for one of the biggest breed sections at major cat shows in Britain. The standard is high and the competition is hot. The Siamese is relatively easy to prepare for showing because of its short coat. Prizes will be withheld for incorrect coat colour or pattern, incorrect points, unlevel bite, eye casts as well as other faults which apply to all breeds such as skull deformities, entropion, squints, under or over shot jaw, tail kinks etc.

Grooming and Upkeep

The Siamese' short glossy coat does not require excessive grooming but the cat will enjoy the attention gained from being groomed. As with most shorthair breeds the cats look after their coat very well.

Shedding: Little

Siamese Colours

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