Birman

The Birman (Sacred Birman) is a friendly pedigree cat that can sometimes be somewhat selective in its affections. It is a true companion animal and does not cope well with being alone. Its coat is long to semi-long and requires regular grooming. The Sacred Birman is recognisable by its distinctive ‘point’ markings.

Temperament

The Sacred Birman is a calm cat. It enjoys human interaction and does not like being left alone. Its personality falls between that of a Persian and a Siamese. Key traits include charm, intelligence, modesty, tolerance, and gentleness. The Sacred Birman enjoys being around people but can also be selective, forming a strong bond with a single owner. It is sociable with other cats and dogs and makes a great companion for children.

Physical Characteristics

A medium-heavy cat weighing between 4.5 and 8 kilograms. Its coat is long to semi-long with ‘point’ markings on the face, ears, legs, genitals, and tail. The Sacred Birman has white paws.

Colour

The Sacred Birman has uniform ‘point’ markings, which appear on the face, ears, legs, genitals, and tail (extremities). These markings contrast with the rest of the body. The paws are white. The back is golden beige in all colour varieties, while the belly is a very light shade. This breed comes in the following colours:

• Seal Point (dark brown)
• Chocolate Point (milk chocolate brown)
• Blue Point (blue-grey)
• Lilac Point (light blue-grey)
• Red Point (red)
• Cream Point (light red)

Within these colours, the following patterns may occur:

• Tabby Point (striped)
• Tortie Point (tortoiseshell spotted)
• Tabby Tortie Point (a combination of both)

Kittens are born almost white. Their final colour and markings only develop as they reach adulthood.

Body, Legs, and Tail

The Sacred Birman has a relatively long and heavy body. Its legs are medium-length and sturdy. This breed has strong bones and well-developed muscles. The paws are round and firm, with tufts of fur between the toes. The tail is of medium length, carried upright, and has a plume-like appearance.

Head, Ears, and Eyes

The Sacred Birman has a strong, broad, and fairly round head. The forehead is slightly domed. Additionally, this breed has full cheeks and prominent high cheekbones. The muzzle is well-developed with a strong, firm chin. The ears are medium-sized with rounded tips. They are moderately to widely spaced and have well-furred inner surfaces. The Sacred Birman’s blue eyes are large, almost round, and set wide apart.

Coat

The Sacred Birman has a semi-long to long, silky coat. It requires regular grooming, with brushing once or twice a week being sufficient. During the moulting period, daily brushing is necessary.