Appearance Highlights: Birmans' silky, medium-to-long coats are remarkably manageable. Medium in size,
Birmans have sweet, rounded, brilliant-blue eyes, a firm chin and a heavy ruff around the neck.
Colors: Traditional colors accepted by CFA and TICA include seal, blue, chocolate and lilac. Nontraditional coats, also accepted by both organizations, include red, tortie and lynx varieties. TICA also recognizes all pointed colors, solid particolor point, lynx (silver and nonsilver) particolor, tortie, particolor point and smoke particolor point.
With crisp white "gloves," sapphire blue eyes and a light, golden dusting upon pointed Birmans' backs and sides, they are striking.
Personality Traits: Friendly and affectionate, the breed is considered a comfortable blend between energetic shorthaired breeds and more subdued longhaired breeds.
First Recognized for Show: Birmans were recognized in France in 1925. Fanciers believe the first Birmans arrived in the United States in 1925 and were accepted for show in both the United States and England in the 1960s.
Grooming Requirements: An occasional bath and weekly brushing keep Birmans looking regal.
Preferred Family Lifestyle: Companionship of any variety pleases this loving breed.