Burmilla
The Burmilla domestic cat breed is a relatively new breed, and is not well known yet; but it has a growing following of enthusiastic owners and breeders around the world.
Burmilla cats originated in 1981 in Britain, when a Chinchilla Persian and a Lilac Burmese were unintentionally mated when a door was left open. The resulting four kittens were exceptionally attractive. The cross went on to become a new breed which was recognized with standards being published in 1984. Eventually, as numbers grew, breed championships began to be awarded in the United Kingdom, confirming the status of the Burmilla as a separate breed in its own right in cat shows and competitions.
The Burmilla has a distinctively dense soft and silky coat, inherited from its Chinchilla origins. The fur is tipped in a different color. The undercoat is most commonly silver or white, and sometimes golden. The tip coloring may be black, lilac, brown, chocolate or a blue shade. The coloring looks like a dusting over the cat.
Varying degrees of coloring are recognized, with tipped being under a quarter of the length of the hair shaft, shaded being quarter to half the length and smoke being over half the length.
The Chinchilla parent influences the shade of the undercoat and the Burmese parent the tip coloring. However, breeding through successive generations of Burmillas will emphasize the particular characteristics preferred by the breeder.
Most Burmillas are short haired, with a bushy tail, but longer haired variations also appear. The short haired gene dominates.
Coloring may show as tabby patterns around the head, and as rings around the legs and tail.
The head of a Burmilla is round with a short muzzle. It has attractive green eyes with a mascara-like eye lining. The nose leather is a brick red color.
Burmillas are medium sized cats, and more muscular than Burmese.
Apart from the attraction of its appearance and soft coat, the Burmilla also has a sociable temperament, which makes it popular as a pet.
It is a loyal and affectionate cat, that likes to be close to its owner. While an independent cat, a Burmilla readily adapts to living in a smaller home without straying far away.
A Burmilla will settle well into either a family home with children and other animals, or a quieter home with an elderly person.
Burmilla cats are playful, with even adults behaving like a kitten at times. They enjoy a daily play session, and will chase after blowing leaves with a great deal of energy.
With a gentle disposition and undoubted intelligence, a Burmilla can make a pleasant companion for its owner. They are clean and quiet by nature, and readily adapt to routines. With an owner it trusts, a Burmilla can be very relaxed when handled, almost resembling the Ragdoll breed in this characteristic.
A Burmilla is an excellent choice as a cat to have as a pet and companion.
