European Burmese Cats: Breed Profile

History: The first Burmese cat in the western world was Wong Mau. She originated in Thailand was brought to North America by Dr. Thompson in the early twentieth century. Because she was the only Burmese cat in North America, it was necessary to use cross breeds to perpetuate the breed. She was mated with a Siamese, and some of her kittens were solid color, and some had points. In North America the solid color offspring were seen as the future of the breed and breeders focused on these kittens as they worked to perfect the breed. The resulting breed is now known as the Burmese.

In Europe, breeders focused on the kittens with points. European breeders took a very different path in developing the breed. They used both Siamese and British Shorthairs as cross breeds. The result was a cat that is very different from the Burmese. This new breed was called the European Burmese. The Burmese and the European Burmese may share a common ancestor, but they are distinct breeds with different standards and a different appearance.

Appearance: The European Burmese comes in ten colors: brown, chocolate, blue, lilac, red, cream, brown-tortie, chocolate-tortie, blue-tortie, and lilac-tortie. The coat is very short and silky with minimal undercoat. It has an elegant, medium-sized body with rounded contours. The head is semi-wedge shaped with a short nose. The large, alert eyes have a distinct top line with a slight curve and a slant towards the nose and a rounded bottom line. The eye color is yellow or amber. The ears are medium sized and have rounded tips. The legs are long and slim.

Personality: This breed is affectionate and intelligent. I gets along exceptionally well with other cats and dogs, and does better when it is not the only pet in the family. It is very social with other animals and humans. It shows loyalty to the members of its family. The European Burmese loves to climb. It will scale your bookshelves and may be found jumping from the top of one shelf to another. They are quite the acrobats! These cats will entertain you with their antics for hours. Then they will demand interaction and after conversing a bit, curl up on your lap for a nap.

Care: Like all cats, the European Burmese needs a continual supply of fresh water, a high quality cat food, and a clean litter box. It also needs adequate veterinary care, and a safe place to climb and scratch. This breed should not be allowed outdoors unattended. It is not prepared to deal with the dangers that it may meet. The short coat need minimal grooming, an occasional brushing will do, making this an easy care breed.