The Burmese cat is a distinctive breed, captivating admirers with its unique combination of a rounded head, expressive eyes, and a surprisingly robust build for its medium size. This breed standard outlines the ideal characteristics of the Burmese, emphasizing its overall impression, physical attributes, and specific colorations. The breed is characterized by substantial bone structure, excellent muscle tone, and a weight that often surprises those unfamiliar with its presence. The ideal Burmese is a picture of perfect physical condition, free from any signs of obesity, weakness, or apathy.
Head, Ears, and Eyes: The Expressive Countenance
The head of an ideal Burmese is pleasingly rounded, maintaining its contour whether viewed from the front or the side, with no flat planes. The face is full, with a notable breadth between the eyes that gently transitions into a broad, well-developed, short muzzle. This preserves the head’s rounded contours. In profile, a distinct nose break is visible. The chin is firmly rounded, indicative of a proper bite, and the head is supported by a well-developed neck. The ears are medium-sized, set wide apart, broad at the base, and rounded at the tips. They tilt slightly forward, contributing to an alert and engaging expression. The eyes are large, set far apart, and possess a rounded aperture, enhancing the breed’s characteristic sweet and expressive gaze.
Body, Legs, Paws, and Tail: A Compact and Muscular Physique
The Burmese possesses a medium-sized body that is well-muscular and presents a compact appearance. Males may naturally be of a larger size. An ample, rounded chest is a key feature, complemented by a level back that extends from the shoulders to the tail. The legs are in good proportion to the body. Paws are round, with five toes on the front and four on the rear. The tail is straight and of medium length, completing the breed’s balanced silhouette.
Coat: Sleekness and Texture
The coat of the Burmese is fine, glossy, and possesses a satin-like texture. It is short and lies very close to the body, emphasizing the cat’s muscular form.
Penalties and Disqualifications: Defining Breed Purity
Certain characteristics are penalized or disqualified to maintain the integrity of the Burmese breed. Distinct barring on the outer legs (front or rear) is a fault, though faint barring may be permitted in kittens and young adults. An elongated muzzle with severe narrowing, leading to a wedge-shaped head that detracts from the rounded contours, is also penalized. Green eyes, an abnormal tail, kinked tails, lockets, spots, blue eyes, crossed eyes, incorrect nose leather or paw pad color, and significant malocclusions of the jaw (resulting in visual prohibition of the described profile, protruding teeth, or a wry face/jaw) are grounds for disqualification. Distinct barring on the torso and any color other than the four accepted colors—sable, champagne, blue, and platinum—will also lead to disqualification.
Burmese Colors: A Spectrum of Richness
The Burmese breed is recognized in four distinct and beautiful colors:
- Sable: The mature sable Burmese is a rich, warm sable brown. It shades almost imperceptibly to a slightly lighter hue on the underparts, but is otherwise free from shadings, barring, or markings. Kittens may be lighter in color. Nose leather and paw pads are brown, while eye color ranges from yellow to gold, with greater depth and brilliance being preferred.
- Champagne: This color presents as a warm honey beige, shading to a pale gold tan underside. Slight darkening on the ears and face may be permissible, though less shading is preferred. Older specimens may show slight darkening, with an emphasis on evenness of color. Nose leather is light warm brown, and paw pads are a warm pinkish tan. Eye color ranges from yellow to gold, with depth and brilliance being ideal.
- Blue: The mature blue Burmese is a medium blue with warm fawn undertones, shading almost imperceptibly to a lighter hue on the underparts. It should be free from shadings, barring, or markings. Nose leather and paw pads are slate gray, though paw pads can range from slate gray to warm pinkish blue. Eye color is typically yellow to gold, with depth and brilliance being desirable.
- Platinum: This color is a pale, silvery gray with pale fawn undertones, shading almost imperceptibly to a lighter hue on the underparts. Like other colors, it should be free from shadings, barring, or markings. Nose leather and paw pads are lavender-pink. The eye color ranges from yellow to gold, with greater depth and brilliance being preferred.
This detailed breed standard ensures that the unique characteristics and beauty of the Burmese cat are preserved and appreciated across generations.
