There is no clear record of the origin of Birman cats. But is said Auguste Pavie and Major Gordon Russell once helped the temple priests. So as a gesture of thanks, the priests gave these men a breeding pair of Birmans, from which the breed became established in the western world.
However, Birman cats were almost wiped out as a breed during World War II and were heavily outcrossed with long-hair breeds and also Siamese lines to rebuild the breed.
In 1966, this cat was recognized in Britain, and in 1967 it became a recognized breed in the United States. In Europe, this breed has the traditional name the Sacred Cat of Burma.
Description
The Birman cat is semi-longhaired with darker coloring to the points, face, legs, ears and tail, and a pale toning body color. It is a largish cat with a thickset body and short legs. The Birman cat has four white feet (mitted) and deep blue eyes. The coat of the Birman is medium long, and soft and silky. The head of this cat is broad and rounded with medium-size ears. Birman cats come in lots of different colors.
Coat Length: medium long, and soft and silky
Age Expectancy: 9-13 yrs.
Size: These cats typically weigh 6 to 12 pounds.
Personality
Birman cats are loving and affectionate breeds. They are humble and softly spoken. Birman cats are smart and friendly cats, curious and people-oriented. Some Birmans can show a bit of jealousy if their parent does not pay attention to them. While they are territorial, they are not aggressive.
Feeding & Grooming
Feeding: Every cat is unique and each has their particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food.
Cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different nutrients from their food. Proper nutrients will vary depending on age and overall health, so an energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat.
Grooming: The coat of a Birman cat is soft and silky but not as difficult to deal with as that of the Persian cat. However, it does require grooming once a week with a comb and brush. Birman cats groomed from an early age enjoy the extra human attention this regular activity brings.