Pyhä birma

Abbreviation:

Sacred Birman

FIFe:

SBI

Origin:

Burma, France

Ancestors:

Domestic cat with white socks, Siamese, Persian cats with pointed patterns badges

Breed Type:

Semi-longhair cat

Body type:

Long bone, muscular

Weight:

2.5 - 6 kg

Colour varieties:

Dark brown markings, blue, chocolate and lilac, Britain and tabby, tortoise and tortoise tabby, also in FIFe red

History: The origin of the breed, also called Sacred Cat of Burma, it is the stuff of legend. It is said that this sacred breed came from Burma, according this, it got its name. Its members were kept as temple cats. In Europe, the first Birma came around 1900. Cats that were resembling those of a sacred home from Burma they were imported by different cat lovers home. Its expansion in Europe, it was contributed mainly by French. Proof of this it is that all Birman pedigrees are registered just in France.

There was recognized and written standard in 1925 for Birma and it is still valid. Breeding in Europe was hardly destroyed during the Second World War. After the end there were remained only two representatives of this breed. The breed was restored and in early 60s Birma came to England where they were recognized in 1966 as SLH breed.  The first Birma was imported from France in 1959 to the USA, and then there was recognized as a longhair in 1967.

Nature: a gentle, quiet, humble and tolerant. Birma does not like busy environment this breed prefers calm. Although they like well-being, they require quite a lot of attention and contact with family members. Some of Birman tends to stick to one person. They get well with cats and dogs. Birma is not usually very noisy and its contact is based on pushing its head and eye contact. Most of the cats of this breed occasionally like playing or frolic.

Body: The body of Birma is a sturdy, medium-sized and well proportioned. The tail is elegant, thick and long on average. The legs are strong and of medium length. Paws are round, firm and with great white socks it is typical. Birma has wider head, with full cheeks and a rounded, slightly domed forehead. Brad is round, it should not be too significant. The nose is of medium length and there should not be stop. It is admitted only a small deflection of the nose. The eyes are dark blue, oval and medium wide-set. Ideally they should be almost perfect almond shape. Ears are wide, slightly obliquely erected, set well apart and sloping forward. The tips are rounded.

Coat:  Birma coat is soft and SLH. On the belly it tends to curl. Although it is very dense, it requires little care. Thanks to its texture in fact it is rarely ruffling. By the touch it is silky smooth. The undercoat is not very developed. Around the collar, tail and hind legs with the hair is longer. Kittens are born white and it can take up to a year before they reach the final colouration.

Care: Birma is usually brushed once a week. Metal brush is unsuitable for this purpose, it could damage the undercoat. It is better when you use the hard brush bristles. If you want to show Birma at Cat Show, grooming will take more time. Its quality are highly demanded. Experienced breeders recommend bathing a cat about five days before the show, so that cat could return the hair its strength. Coat can also be regularly powder. Ear tufts are valued at shows, so it is recommended to cut them carefully. If necessary cut the sharp ends of the claws and when it is needed to clean ears.

Colour varieties: Birman occurs only with Himalayan badges. From other breeds with these badges are the most distinguished white socks, which should never be missed. White colour must be as symmetrical as possible and feet hind legs must extend into the spurs. All colour varieties, the colour of the body must be as pure as possible and should contrasting to coloured badges. The eyes are always dark blue - the darker the better.

Originally Birman has dark brown markings and a light cream as a base colour. It goes into the sides fair and belly and chest to the lighter cream. The most valuable feature is the soft golden halo - light cream tint above the back.

This breed can be found in seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, tortoise and tabby or tortoise tabby point.