The origins of the Burmese

Exotic cats like the Siamese, Burmese and Korat were present in the ancient Siamese city of Ayudha. Many of these cats were kept in temples and considered to be sacred. In Bangkok are kept ancient manuscripts saved from Ayudha and providing records of the native cats, dogs and birds of the time.

In the Cat-Book Poems the following tribute to a brown cat suspiciously like the Burmese was recorded:

Their coat glitters like copper bright
Their eyes shine like the glittering sun on high

In 1930 Dr Joseph Thompson, a retired naval physician, visited Rangoon in what was then Burma and was fascinated to discover a walnut brown cat. He called her Wong Mau and took her home to San Francisco where he and a group of Siamese breeders co-ordinated a series of breeding experiments with her. Due to their scientific approach, the Cat Federation granted breed status to the Burmese in 1936.

It seems likely that Burmese were among the Siamese introduced into the UK in the late 1800's. The development of the Burmese in the UK is of particular significance for Burmese breeders in South Africa because it was from there they imported much of their early breeding stock. Pioneer breeders included cattery names like Fairlawns, Bon Accord, Salakee, Selworthy, Simani, Sittangs and Beaucoat. Some of them still appear on pedigrees today.

Breed standard

Sandy with Honey at cat show Honey is a Chocolate

Today there are ten colours of Burmese, all of them require a short, fine, close lying coat with a satin like texture. The solid colours are brown, blue, chocolate and lilac. The Burmese is a short haired and elegant but muscular cat of foreign type. It has a blunt wedge-shaped head with ears following the outline of the face, wide cheek bones and a strong lower jaw. It has a loving temperament.

Here is a list of the colour codes for Burmese Cat breed numbers:

  • 27 - Brown
  • 27a - Blue
  • 27b - Chocolate
  • 27c - Lilac
  • 27d - Red
  • 27e - Brown Tortie (brown/red)
  • 27f - Cream
  • 27g - Blue Tortie (blue/cream)
  • 27h - Chocolate Tortie (chocolate/red)
  • 27j - Lilac Tortie (lilac/cream)