Birman
Colourpointed like a Siamese but with white gloves on every foot, and the gloves have to match. Deep blue eyes, and far quieter than the Siamese.
Photo by JasonParis, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Birman is a pointed, semi longhaired cat with white gloves on all four feet, and the gloves are the whole difficulty of breeding one. They must be symmetrical, must stop at a particular place, and no amount of good type makes up for getting them wrong.
The origin story involves temple cats of Burma and is almost certainly a good deal more romantic than the truth, which appears to run through France in the 1920s.
Temperament
Gentle, quiet and companionable. The Birman is the calm one among the pointed breeds, without the Siamese voice or the Siamese intensity.
They follow people from room to room and settle nearby rather than demanding a lap. They are tolerant of children and of other animals, and they are among the easier pedigree cats to live with.
Care and grooming
Much less work than the coat suggests. There is effectively no undercoat, so it does not mat, and a comb through twice a week is enough.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy occurs in the breed, as it does in most, and Birmans have also been reported with a form of inherited kidney disease. A breeder who scans hearts and can talk about what they screen for is the one to buy from.
Living and exercise
An indoor life suits them. They are moderately active, they like a high perch, and they are not escape artists.
They are a good choice for a quieter household or a first pedigree cat, and they do better with company than alone. Twelve to sixteen years is normal.
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