About the Breed

The first representative of Burmese breed became a small brown cat
named “Wong-May”, which was brought to USA from the Far East in 1930.
At that time there was no appropriate partner found, therefore
a well-breed Siamese Silpoint???, who looked quite similar to her
and was considered to be the best candidate. The kittens of the first
litter were hybrids that nowadays are known as Tokens??? Probably,
Wong-May was a dark variation of Tokens’ (Tokkians, Tocsins) breed 
herself, because when she was coupled with her own son, all the
kittens were dark-brown and resembled the mother. Exactly they
are considered to be the first true short-haired Burmese cats.
	With the help of genetics it became possible to rear many
types of Burmese cats that would differ in colouration. There were
some enthusiasts among British Burma’s breeders, who together with
a help of British Cattery Club’s followers developed and proceeded
with a well-structured plan of Burma’s rearing. We are currently
enjoying the achieved results: there are ten colour variations of
Burma – all of them are healthy, strong, and tough and each has
type has preserved the unique type and character of their
ancestor – “ a small brown kitty” that appeared 60 years ago
in the USA.
	
Colours

Brown

The characteristic colour of this type is a deep, regular, warm
brown colour, without any obvious stripes among grown-ups; hence
kittens are allowed to have some very weak signs of stripes.
The coat should be shaded with a lighter colour of the undercoat.
The nose and pads should be dark-brown.

Blue

This type has a warm silver-grey colour. The brighter variation
with a pale shade of the undercoat is also permitted. The pads
and nose should be gray.

Chocolate:

The colour is very warm: chocolate and milk, nevertheless,
the muzzle, legs and tail could be a bit darker, but not 
so dark as the brown Burma has. The nose and pads should
be chocolate brown colour.

Lilac or violet:

A lilac Burma has the most attractive colouration. It should be
bright, dove-coloured grey with a slight rosy shade, which shows
its perfection. A bit darker shades are allowed on the end-parts
of the body. The tip of the nose and pads should be of a lilac-rosy
 colour.

Red:
 
An orange or scarlet is the best definition for the red Burmese cat.
The tip of the nose and pads should be pink.

Cream:

Cream – coloured Burma is similar to the colour of bright, condensed
cream, with a characteristic “powdered” ends of the ears and head.
It looks as if the cat is strewed with talc. The tip of the nose and
pads should be pale-pink.

Turtle-brown:

For this variety the combination of brown, red and cream colours is
very typical.the tip of the nose and pads are pink, brown or the
 mixture of both.

Turtle-blue:

This type combines two colours: blue and cream. The pads and the tip
of thenose is a mixture of blue and cream.

Turtle-chocolate:

The coloration of coat should consist of well-mixed chocolate and
cream colours. The tip of the nose and pads should be the same colour.

Turtle-lilac

The coat of a turtle-lilac Burma is lavender with cream, while the
pads and the tip of the nose are of warm-grey colour.

The Type and Standard

All Burmese species have an equal type and build. The Burmese are
middle-seized, slim and strong cats. They should not be such huge
and big-boned as British nor should they be such long and thin
as Siamese.
	The top of the head should be round as in profile as well
as in en face, with wide-apart-set ears. The nose has a special
deepening and the chin should be strong. The eyes are almond-shaped
with any shades of deep and rich yellow. The typical Burma that
corresponds to these standards possesses a specific “cruel” Burmese
appearance or look.
	The tail should be proportionate to the length of the whole
body. It should not have any visible defects and curves. The fur is
short and close-fitting of a pure and clear colour. The coat is soft
to the tough that led a tradition of calling Burma: “a silky stone”.