The Burmese cat breed stands out as a unique and captivating feline, often described as a brick wrapped in silk due to their surprisingly muscular body beneath a sleek, fine coat. Originating from Burma (now Myanmar), these cats are celebrated for their distinctive rounded head, expressive eyes, and an overall appearance that sets them apart from any other breed. Understanding the breed standard is key to appreciating what makes Burmese Cats so special. This article delves into the detailed characteristics that define the ideal Burmese cat, from head to tail, coat to color, providing a comprehensive overview for enthusiasts and potential owners alike.
General Appearance and Temperament
The overall impression of a Burmese cat is one of compact elegance and surprising weight. They are medium-sized cats with a substantial bone structure and well-developed musculature, giving them a heft that belies their size. This physical robustness, combined with their rounded features and sweet expression, creates a totally distinctive breed. A Burmese cat in perfect condition will exhibit excellent muscle tone, appearing neither obese nor weak, but rather alert and healthy. Apathy or lack of physical condition are considered faults in the breed standard.
Head, Ears, and Eyes: Defining the Burmese Look
The head of a Burmese cat is a defining feature, characterized by its pleasingly rounded shape without any flat planes, whether viewed from the front or side. The face is full, displaying considerable breadth between the eyes, which gently blends into a broad, well-developed, short muzzle. This muzzle maintains the rounded contours of the head, contributing to the breed’s signature look. In profile, a visible nose break is present, adding to the distinct facial structure. The chin is firmly rounded, reflecting a proper bite and completing the harmonious head shape. The head is set upon a well-developed neck, further enhancing their balanced appearance.
The ears are medium in size, set well apart on the head, broad at the base and gracefully rounded at the tips. They are positioned to tilt slightly forward, contributing to the Burmese cat’s perpetually alert and attentive expression. The eyes are large and generously spaced, with a rounded aperture that enhances their expressive quality. Eye color is a crucial aspect of the breed standard, ranging from yellow to gold, with a preference for greater depth and brilliance. Green eyes are considered a penalization in Burmese cats.
Body, Legs, Paws, and Tail: Structure and Proportion
The body of the Burmese cat is medium in size, muscular, and presents a compact yet substantial appearance. Allowance is made for males, who may be larger than females. The breed standard calls for an ample, rounded chest and a back that is level from the shoulders to the tail, contributing to their balanced and well-proportioned silhouette.
The legs are well-proportioned to the body, neither too long nor too short, maintaining the overall harmony of the cat’s physique. The paws are round, with five toes on the front feet and four on the hind feet, a standard feline characteristic. The tail is straight and medium in length, in proportion to the body and contributing to the overall balance of the cat. Abnormal tails are penalized, and kinked tails are a disqualifying fault.
Coat: Texture and Appearance
The Burmese cat’s coat is one of its most appealing features – fine, glossy, and possessing a luxurious satin-like texture. It is notably short and lies very close to the body, emphasizing the cat’s muscular contours. The shortness, texture, and close-lying nature of the coat are all important aspects of the breed standard.
Color Varieties: A Spectrum of Warm Tones
Burmese cats are recognized in four main colors, each with specific shade requirements and characteristics:
Sable
The classic Burmese color, sable, is described as a rich, warm, sable brown. Mature specimens exhibit a deep, even brown color, shading almost imperceptibly to a slightly lighter hue on the underparts. Notably, there should be no shadings, barring, or markings of any kind in a mature sable Burmese, although kittens may be lighter in color. The nose leather and paw pads are brown, complementing the coat color. The eye color ranges from yellow to gold, with deeper and more brilliant shades being highly prized.
Champagne
Champagne Burmese cats present a warm honey beige color, shading to a pale gold tan on the underside. A slight darkening on the ears and face is permissible, but lesser shading is preferred to maintain the overall evenness of color. While slight darkening may be allowed in older specimens, the emphasis remains on a consistent color throughout the coat. The nose leather is light warm brown, and the paw pads are a warm pinkish tan. Eye color, again, is in the yellow to gold range, with brilliance being desirable.
Blue
The blue Burmese is a medium blue with warm fawn undertones. Similar to other colors, the blue should shade almost imperceptibly to a slightly lighter hue on the underparts and be free from shadings, barring, or markings. The nose leather and paw pads are slate gray, and the paw pads may range from slate gray to a warm pinkish blue. Eye color follows the breed standard of yellow to gold, with preference given to depth and brilliance.
Platinum
Platinum Burmese cats exhibit a pale, silvery gray color with pale fawn undertones. The platinum shade should be even, shading almost imperceptibly to a slightly lighter hue on the underparts, and without shadings, barring, or markings. The nose leather and paw pads are lavender-pink. Eye color, consistent with the breed, ranges from yellow to gold, with the most brilliant and deep gold shades being favored.
Penalties and Disqualifications
While striving for the ideal, breed standards also outline faults to be penalized or that may disqualify a Burmese cat in a show setting. Penalizations include distinct barring on the legs, elongated muzzles leading to wedge-shaped heads, and green eyes. Disqualifications are more severe and include kinked tails, lockets or spots of white, blue eyes, crossed eyes, incorrect nose leather or paw pad color, malocclusions causing protruding teeth or wry faces, distinct barring on the torso, and any coat color outside of the four recognized colors (sable, champagne, blue, and platinum).
Outcross Breeds
For genetic diversity and breed health, Burmese cats are permitted to outcross with certain breeds under specific conditions and timelines, including Tonkinese and sable Bombay cats until December 31, 2031, and imported Southeast Asian Cats.
Understanding these breed standards provides a valuable insight into the Burmese cat, a breed celebrated for its unique physical attributes and captivating personality. Their distinctive appearance, defined by these detailed characteristics, ensures the Burmese cat remains a truly special and beloved breed.
