The Birman is still a relatively uncommon cat, most people think I mean Burmese, so I have taken to carrying photos of my boys around to show examples of what a Birman looks like. Fortunately Birmans are very photogenic!
Birman Information
Size: Birmans are large
cats, my two are around 5kg in weight, and Taj can stretch out to 1m length!
Type: Massive, Long Bodied, Medium Length Thickset Legs,
Plumey tail and a Neck Ruff
Coat Type: Long but easily cared for, does not mat
like Persians, it is quite silky to touch
Colours: Seal
(original) Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Red Cream (Tortie and Tabby also available)
Temperament:
In my experience Birmans are very characterful animals. They are not particularly vocal, and are very affectionate. They are extremely social animals, when we have a party it is in Taj's honour. Java does not like strange adults but adores children. We had John's 6 year old nephews for a visit and they spent the day chasing and being chased by Java around the garden. When I got home he was exhausted!
Both cats are playful, Java is as playful as any kitten and will run around for hours with a toy. Taj is more reserved but will let you know when he wants to play quite clearly. Both love to chase bits of string around the garden.
Health: Teeth has been the biggest problem for our cats, they get tartar very easily and to stop gum infection Taj has gone to the Vet to get his teeth cleaned once a year. Java's teeth can usually be manually scraped off OK. Taj has been hit by a car and survived minus a tooth and plus a broken jaw, and he gets into fights and has come home a bit worse for wear several times.
Environment: For the first 3 months we had Taj he lived inside and by himself. It was very touching to see him waiting for us to come home from work. Once he was old enough to go outside we made the front yard escape proof and installed a cat flap. Taj loved being outside and soon learned to climb the fence and discovered the rest of the neighbourhood. Birmans love being outside, but would be quite happy inside as well, as long as they were diverted enough. Bored cats can be as destructive as children or dogs, whatever the breed.
General Comments:
I love my boys and would never be without a Birman ever again. All our Birmans (3 full and one halfbreed) have had distinct personalities, and been members of the family. Taj was my first Birman and is nearly 10, and I love him dearly. Zen was his full brother from a later litter, who was hit by a car when he was only one. Shay was half Birman/Burmese and we sold her to friends after we moved into our new house. She (the only female cat I have had and the last!) began to catch birds and frogs at all hours and our friends had always liked her. Shay is now happy lying in front of their fire and stalking birds from the roof.
Java was our first Blue Birman, John decided our next purchase would be blue after seeing them at a Cat Show. We thought he would be huge, but after an initial growth spurt stopped growing slightly smaller than Taj. His fur is very different in texture, it is very soft and feels like kitten fur. It is very long and he has the most magnificent tail I have ever seen on a cat, we measured the hair on it and it is 4 inches long!!!
Taj is a much more reserved and dignified character than Java, Java has no shame at all which is obvious when you see him sleep. Legs and fur in all directions. Java is a glutton when it comes to food, he eats nearly anything and will force Taj away from his plate to eat Taj's food. Taj expects you to be appropriately honoured when he graces your lap with is presence. Java just jumps on it and purrs. Both follow us around the house and garden. Gardening is always supervised by Taj and new soil is christened ASAP. Java likes to lie in the way of the wheelbarrow.
If you want a cat who will become a member of the family and household, who will expect to be fussed and patted on demand and who will turn their back to you if offended then a Birman is the one for you!
Birmans have an interesting story and history - check out this version on the Taron Birmans Page.