History of the Burmese

Playful, energetic, acrobatic and highly intelligent, the Burmese cat is the extrovert of the Cat Fancy. They are very mischievous, but they love people and they are tuned in to the needs of their owners. Once you have known a Burmese you have a lifelong passion for the breed.

The Burmese cat, which originated from Burma, 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.

The solid brown Burmese colour continued to reproduce consistently enough to allow the breed to finally be registered in 1936. 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.