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Burmilla breed guide
The Cat Fanciers' Association describes the Burmilla as one of the cat fancy's newer breeds, with a shaded silver coat from Chinchilla Persian ancestors and a sociable nature from the European Burmese.
Dark make-up lines trace the nose, lips and eyes and the eyes are some shade of green.
Temperament
Outgoing and mellow in equal parts, the Burmilla is gregarious yet independent enough to be left alone during the work day. It gets along with dogs, other cats and children and quickly welcomes complete strangers into its inner circle.
Personality
It is energetic but not hyperactive, content to nap on the couch between bursts of spirited play. It is impish and lively but also quiet and gentle, loving without being needy.
It is not overly vocal or demanding. An intelligent breed, it wants toys, things to climb and perches.
Care
Grooming is simple for both coat lengths, since the longhair is a semi-longhair with an easy-care single coat. Groom at least once a week with a stainless-steel comb or small slicker brush and add regular nail trims, ear cleanings and dental care.
Health
Burmillas may share some health issues with their parent breeds, so responsible breeders test breeding cats to prevent passing on genetic diseases. Because the gene pool is small, breeders keep adding unrelated cats through new lines, outcrosses and imports from other countries.
History
The breed began with an accident in 1981, when a pet Chinchilla Persian male met a precocious lilac European Burmese female shortly before he was neutered. The litter was four shorthaired females, all black shaded silver. Their owner Baroness Miranda Von Kirchberg started a breeding program.
CFA accepted both coat lengths for registration in 2011 and advanced them to championship in 2014.