Birman Cat

Birman Cat Photo

Here is a great Helmi Flick Birman cat photo:

Photo of Brita copyright © Helmi Flick

Blue Point Birman Cat

Another great Helmi photo of a blue point Birman – I think!

Photo copyright © Helmi Flick

Appearance and Character

This cat has the standard colorpoint pattern and in addition white feet. This is very similar to the Snowshoe Cat in terms of coat color and pattern. It would be useful to have a look at the Snowshoe cat on this website, as the same genetics are at work.

The Piebald gene (white spotting gene) produces the white (gloved) feet in association with a “pattern gene”. The pattern gene is sometimes called the “gloving gene”. The gloving gene is naturally important to Airman breeders and the breeding programs are managed to retain it.

The white feet should ideally have a nice clean edge and be symmetrical. For the front feet the white “gloves” end across the top of the paws and for the back legs the white fur extends up the back of the legs ending about half way up hock. The white fur on the hind legs is referred to as “laces”. Laces and gloves should be evenly matched ideally.

Apparently, in the past, the gloving would ride up the legs. These “defects” were referred to as “runners”. They have been bred out over the years by breeding Airman to Airman.

The coat is not as long as the Persia’s (it has been bred long in the Persian – too long in some cases, I believe) and is therefore easier to maintain but grooming is still required regularly ideally. Apparently, the texture is such that it doesn’t mat so easily. The coat is described as being, “silky”¹.

In short, the Birman cat is a semi-long haired cat breed. The torso of the cat has a color that is lighter than the points. This is somewhat disguised I think by the fact that the pointing is sometimes of low contrast to the background and the pointing itself can be (
for want of a better term) rather complex as for example in the seal lynx point (broken pointing). The background color should have a “golden cast” (Legend of the Cat)

Helmi’s great photographs show you the texture and color of the coat.

In terms of the CFA breed standard the colors are seal, blue, chocolate and lilac for the solid (self) colours. Under the CFA Lynx Point Color Classes, the colours are: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, seal-tortie, chocolate-tortie, blue-cream, lilac-cream. Under the Parti-Color Colors Class, the colours are: seal-tortie, blue-cream, chocolate-tortie, lilac-cream. Unde the Other Solid Point Colors Class, the colours are: red and cream. Seal is the classic Birman colour as it is for Siamese cats.

The lilac and chocolate where one of the first new colours to be accepted¹.

The lynx points have the clear M mark on the forehead (tabby mark), spotted whisker pads and “spectacles” (white around the eyes).

The Birman Cat has almost round, blue eyes and a cobby (stocky) large body. It is the character that some might find the most appealing feature of this cat; intelligent, companionable, playful and pleasant.