THE "FOREIGN BLOOD" CONTROVERSY

The introduction of Canadian Burmese in 1991 sparked off controversy. There appeared to be two main issues of contention:

1) fear of the possible introduction of the Lethal Gene (causing horrific craniofacial defects) as described in veterinary journals and scientific publications in north America during the late seventies and early eighties;

2) also, what the long term effect would be, type-wise, on local Burmese with cats bred from the imports as the Breed Standard for Burmese in Canada differs from the SA Standard and whose general "type" and confirmation was so obviously different.

The Canadian lines have originated from a highly ethical and reputable breeder of many years standing, Mrs. Elaine Gleason (Hullabaloo). She has an excellent reputation internationally as an All Breeds judge to maintain and would certainly not jeopardise her standing amongst Cat Fanciers worldwide. She was also the past editor of the prestigious Journal of the Canadian Cat Association "THE QUARTERLY". Her husband, Mr. Bob Gleason was the President of the Canadian Cat Association (CCA) for two terms; currently he serving another term as the Associations President (1997) and is the Burmese Breed Section Secretary. The CCA's duties to the Canadian Cat Fancy encompass the combined activities of the SA Cat Register and Governing Council.

(Elaine Gleason, accompanied by her husband Bob, was invited to be one of the two international judges to officiate at the "Cat of the Year" judge off in August 1996.)

Fortunately, Hullabaloo Burmese are bred exclusively from healthy, traditional lines. When the genetic problems surfaced in America, the CCA very sensibly banned the showing of all Burmese who may have been bred from or have questionable connections to the so-called "New Look" or "Contemporary" Burmese that had been bred in the United States.

2) It is still too early to comment objectively and impartially on the far reaching effects of the 'new Canadian blood'; kittens from the first queen have appeared only recently at shows.*

However, the outcross and injection of "pure" Burmese blood must ultimately benefit local breeding programmes as most of the cats imported from either Great Britain or Europe share a considerable number of common ancestors. It would seem possible that some European lines may have been 'contaminated' by breeders unwittingly importing American stock whose lines may have been affected. Canada remains one of the few localities where the purity of Burmese can be guaranteed.

(* In 1995 the first of the Canadian progeny gained a Supreme Title, Sp. Ch. Gitalaya Sable Sensation, bred from Sp. Ch. Gitalaya Gunga Din and Gitalaya Hullabaloo Spellbound. She is also only the second brown female to do so.)

(So, what was all the fuss about?)