The Burmese is a small shorthaired cat which is easily recognized on its golden eyes and silk shining fur. Burmese cats are extremely elegant and intelligent. They are very fond of children - almost too fond because they put up with the most incredible things - therefore it is important that you look after especially kittens who easily get hurt from children’s rough handling. The Burmese is a very lively and active cat, who has to participate in everything that goes on in the house - from "helping" cook dinner to lending a hand (paw) reading the paper! In short your Burmese is everywhere almost all the time... Except when it sleeps - which it prefers to do under your bedcovers - or at least on the bed, because Burmese cats love warm places. You also need a scratching post - a big one (from floor to ceiling with shelves is preferred) since the Burmese also enjoys watching the world from above...! If you do not provide your Burmese with this, the cat will find other places - perhaps not of your choice - to scratch and also it will find other ways to "look down on you", ie. your wardrobe closets, book shelves etc.

The Burmese is a very social cat who enjoys the company of other cats and humans very much (see photo), which is why I always recommend having at least two Burmese - or any other kind of cat, who likes cuddling... The Burmese is not suited for being alone 8-10 hours a day while "mom and dad" are at work.

The Burmese is in Europe available in 10 colours, of these 6 are fully coloured: The original brown/sable, chocolate/champagne (light cream chocolate-coloured), blue (steel grey), lilac/platinum (light dove grey with a pinkish sheen), red (mandarin-coloured) and cream (very light warm red). Besides there are 4 tortie colours, which are mixes of the full colours with red/cream spots: Seal tortie (brown w. red), chocolate tortie (chocolate w. red), blue tortie (blue w. cream) and finally lilac tortie (lilac w. cream). Since the tortie pattern is genetically defined to the female cats x-chromosomes it is only females that can be torties - with the occasional "slip" of genetics, which has created tortie (mostly infertile) males, they are very rare!...

There is a written standard (FIFe standard), which describes how a Burmese should look ideally - it is used by the judges at shows and can be a bit "cryptic" to read as it contains a lot of special terms.