Birman

The Birman is a color-pointed longhair domestic cat breed that was developed in France.

Temple legends trace the cat to Burma, but documented breeding began in France during the early twentieth century. The Cat Club de France first recognized the breed in 1925. World War II nearly eliminated European stock, leaving only two surviving cats, Orloff and Xenia de Kaabaa, at the end of the war. French breeders outcrossed these survivors with Persians and Siamese to restore numbers by the early 1950s. The Fédération Internationale Féline accepted the breed in 1949, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy in 1966, the Cat Fanciers' Association in 1967, and The International Cat Association in 1979.

Adult males reach 4.0-5.5 kg (9-12 lb) on an elongated, stocky frame with heavy bone structure. Distinctive physical traits include deep sapphire-blue eyes, a Roman profile nose, and four immaculate white feet with symmetrical gloves and rear laces. A semi-long to long silky coat forms a full ruff around the neck and curls on the abdomen. Gentle, placid, and soft-spoken, the Birman is affectionate and does well with household company and handling.

Because the coat lacks a thick undercoat, it rarely mats and stays clean with weekly combing. Clean ears and trimmed nails complete routine handling. Health disorders noted in clinical literature include hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, feline audiogenic reflex seizures, congenital hypotrichosis, corneal dermoids, and chronic kidney disease.