All Burmese originate from the same cat - a small brown female
who was brought to the United States in the 1930s - Wong Mau.

What are the differences between the European, Foreign & American Burmese?
European or Foreign Burmese are one & the same breed of cat.  Foreign is the name given to the group of pedigreed cats known as Burmese & recognised by England, Europe, South Africa, Australia & New Zealand as well as Canada. American registries chose to identify this same group as European Burmese.  European/Foreign Burmese are bred in 10 different colours whereas American Burmese are only recognised 4 colours.

How do the European or Foreign Burmese cats differ from the American Burmese?
European/Foreign Burmese are generally larger cats than their American counterparts being more elegant with lithe bodies & not as cobby (more "compact" conformation); also their tails are generally longer than American Burmese.  European/Foreign Burmese have less rounded heads; the eye shape is different too.  All types of Burmese should have yellow eyes with golden eye colour preferred.  Both European/Foreign & American Burmese are muscular cats & share "the unexpected weight for size" when picked up.
(Browse our links to Burmese Breed Standards). 

What are the Burmese colours?
The 10 colours are: Brown, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Red, Cream with four corresponding tortoiseshell colours of brown, blue, chocolate & lilac.  The tortoiseshell cats are commonly referred to as "Torties".  American Burmese are recognised in sable, champagne, blue & platinum which corresponds to brown/sable, chocolate/champagne, lilac/platinum & blue in the European or Foreign Burmese.

Are European/Foreign Burmese intelligent?
Yes! Undoubtedly! They are a highly intelligent, affectionate, vital, tough, mischievous, athletic type of cat.

How do Burmese cope with children?
Burmese have a low tolerance for mistreatment but are extremely intelligent, very playful & they remain kittenish all their adult lives; they are cuddly, affectionate, "lap fungus" & usually choose to participate in games enthusiastically.  Toddlers & young children should always be supervised in the handling of all pets. Both for their safety & the safety of the animal.

Are Burmese compatible with other animals?
Burmese are easy-going cats & adjust well to other household pets.  However, because of their high intelligence, they will probably be the alpha pet in any household.  Burmese are known to tolerate dogs well & may form firm friendships.  Do not be surprised to find a Burmese curled up with 'their' dog & will even tolerate zealous grooming from their canine companion.

What sort of personality traits can one expect to find in the Burmese?
Each cat is an individual.  Most Burmese easy natured & are typically very outgoing with a remarkable capacity for "problem solving" - some have been known to open both doors & windows in order to be with their human families.  A Burmese is happiest when s/he has a household to "manage". The Burmese has a delightful sense of humour, it is an extrovert & is extremely loyal to his owner. Some are known for their voracious appetites. The Burmese is almost dog-like in it's devotion; s/he is a clown, with a complete repertoire of stunts - from headstands & somersaults - to lying sprawled out on the sofa on it's back with legs in the air. Many Burmese are good retrievers & will exhaust their owners with their persistent games. They, too, are excellent hunters (if allowed "outdoor" freedom) & can arrive on the doorstep with their trophies: lizards, live rats, mice & hapless birds. 
(an extract from Burmese Chronicles - "A History of the Burmese Breed in South Africa")

Which cat makes a better pet? Male or a female?
Once a kitten has been altered by a veterinarian, their gender plays a small part in their overall personality although some breeders & pet owners remark that they have found the males to be more affectionate.  Some people say they prefer females stating that "the females do not spray" as their main reason.  This is a fallacy as all cats will spray if they are not spayed or neutered & left entire.  Females do spray when they come into heat/call/oestrus.  Besides, a genuine cat lover would really not have any particular preference.

Are the kittens litter tray/pan trained?
Burmese cats, by nature, are fastidious in their toilet habits. Keep the litter pan clean & cleaned out regularly.  Ensure your kitten knows exactly where the litter pan is located.  Should an accident occur, ordinary soda water will do a safe clean up & neutralise urine odour.  Do not use any ammonia based cleaning fluid as this may encourage further soiling. Litter pans should be sanitized with ordinary household bleach (strength 1:20). Should a Burmese persist in inappropriate soiling - please consult a veterinarian - there could be an underlying medical problem.

Do they scratch furniture?
All cats have a natural inclination to sharpen their claws.  Any piece of furniture with a convenient vertical shape is a prime target.  Gitalaya kittens are trained to used scratching posts from an early age & training for claw clipping or trimming begins around the age of 4 weeks.  Most kittens enjoy claw clipping as an opportunity for additional cuddling. Although Gitalaya kittens are trained, further in-house training will be needed once a kitten is settled into it's new home.  Cats & kittens should be disciplined with a water spray to prevent furniture destruction.

Do Burmese need grooming like Persians?
No. Because they are shorthaired cats with satin-like texture & close lying coats, a "rub down" with a rubber mitt will remove most dead hair.  A "polish" with a silk scarf will help maintain their glossy coats.  

Do Burmese shed?
Like all cats, Burmese do shed but not as copiously as Persians or other long haired breeds. Regular hand grooming lessens the amount of fur shed.  Overall, their maintenance is minimal.

Are Burmese noisy?
This varies between individual cats.  Among the many Burmese we have bred over the years, some are "talkers" while others seldom have anything to "say".  Those that do tend to be "chatty" are not as vocal as the Siamese.  However, a female in season can compete with the most vociferous of any breed.

Should Burmese be let outdoors?
No! Burmese are prone to wandering.  A Burmese should never be allowed outdoors except in under strict supervision & preferably only once they have been harness trained.  It is a misconception that cats need to be able "to live natural lives" in the outdoors.  Cats that are given freedom seldom live as long as those that are safely confined indoors.  The outdoors are fraught with dangers from fights with other cats who may be infected with disease;  traffic hazards or wild animals who may be rabies vectors.  A cat that has never experienced "freedom" will not be an unhappy indoor cat. A warning: Burmese with their gregarious natures are apt to be stolen!

Do they have any bad habits?
The Burmese is a wonderfully intelligent cat making them "almost human" & "dog-like" in their devotion.  They definitely want to be involved in all household activities if not at the center of the action.  Reading the newspaper or working at the computer or some similar activity will probably be supervised by your Burmese. Burmese are content to curl up in your lap while you watch your favourite TV shows or settle with a good book to read.  Should a family member feel under the weather & be confined to bed, Burmese prove to be an excellent sick-room companion.  Burmese do need to be firmly disciplined - use of a water spray is recommended.

Do Burmese have specific health problems?
European/Foreign Burmese are generally of robust health.  

How big do they get?
European/Foreign Burmese are a medium to average sized cat with the males being slightly larger.  Males weigh approximately 12 -16 pounds & females 8 -12.

Are the brown European/Foreign Burmese related to the Havana Brown?
No. The only similarity between the 2 breeds is that they are brown cats. This can be misleading as the brown Burmese & the Havana Brown are the only 2 naturally occurring brown cats among pedigreed animals.  The brown or sable Burmese is a distinctly different colour.  But for the "Burmese" modifying gene, the brown Burmese would be a black cat. There are also significant differences between the 2 breeds particularly in both head & body shape.

What is the difference between a Burmese & a Birman?
The Burmese & the Birman are 2 distinctly different breeds & there are several major differences between these 2 breeds.  The Burmese is a shorthaired "self-coloured" cat usually of one colour only with the exception of the 4 Tortie or tortoisehell colours while the Birman is a "pointed" cat, similar in colouring to Siamese or Colourpoint Shorthairs.  They also have longer coats & are referred as "medium haired" breed.

Why are European/Foreign Burmese seldom seen at cat shows?
The European/Foreign Burmese were recently admitted to "Championship Status" within CFA (May 1st, 2002) in the United States & therefore more European/Foreign Burmese will be seen on the show bench in the future.  As yet there are few breeders of European/Foreign Burmese in the USA.

Where can I find European/Foreign Burmese breeders in my area?

• Cat magazines run ads for pedigreed cats.  Under the Burmese section you will be able to locate breeders' names with relevant contact information.  
• Browse the Internet, the Fancier's Breeder Referral List is an excellent site to start with as breeders & the cats they breed are listed by state.  
• Make use of the many Internet search engines by typing in keywords such as Burmese cat / kitten breeders.