Burmilla
Burmillas come from England and their name is linked to their origin, as a cross between a Burmese and a Persian Chinchilla. The first Burmilla was the result of accidental cross-breeding in 1981 between a lilac English Burmese and a silver Persian Chinchilla. The breed was then manipulated in order to develop a new breed of cat, which would cross the phenotype of the Burmese and the character of the Persian Chinchilla. The Burmilla is a member of the Asian group of cats, and has a good reputation for being easy to look after and maintain.
Key facts about the Burmilla
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Origins and history
In 1981, the accidental mating of "Fabergé", a female lilac Burmese, with "Sanquist", a silver Persian chinchilla, who both belonged to Baroness Miranda Von Kirchberg, gave birth to the first 4 Burmilla kittens. The Baroness then decided to have a litter by mating another of her Burmese cats with Sanquist. These first kittens are at the origin of many lineages of this new breed. Cross-breeds have been specifically made to get particular physical characteristics such as short hair, as well as improving the quality of the tipping on their fur!
Physical characteristics of the Burmilla
Adult size
Female : Between 8 and 12 in
Male : Between 9 and 14 in
Reaches adult size around the age of 1.
Weight
Female : Between 9 and 11 lb
Male : Between 9 and 13 lb
Coat colour
Silver / golden shades / black / blue / chocolate / cameo (red with silver tips) / lilac / tortoiseshell.
All colours are possible except for white. Their coat is always tipped. Their undercoat is silver and their hair is tipped with a chocolate brown colour, which varies depending on their age (brighter in kittens and darker in adults).
Type of coat
Short
Eye colour
Gold/yellow, green
Description
Burmillas are generally heavier than you’d expect, thanks to their muscular bodies and bone structures. Their chests are broad and powerful, and they have medium-sized, triangular heads. They have broad cheekbones, and a nose break, which forms a vertical line with their pronounced lower jaw. Their ears are medium-sized, angled forward and are slightly rounded at the tips. Their eyes are big and bright, and their tail tapers and ends with a rounded tip.
Good to know
There is a type of Burmilla with mid-length hair, called the "Longhaired Burmilla" by the US Federations, TICA and CFA, and "Tiffany tipped" by the European Federations.
Temperament
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100%
Affectionate
This cat knows how to be affectionate with humans. Burmillas are famous for their ability to get cuddles!
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66%
Playful
They like the company of children and will happily play with them.
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66%
Calm
Burmillas are less boisterous than Burmese cats, but they do need to expend energy.
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66%
Intelligent
As they like to be the center of attention, these cats are curious and reactive to what is happening around them.
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33%
Fearful / wary of strangers
In general Burmillas are very sociable cats.
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33%
Independent
These cats love attention.
Behaviour of the Burmilla
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Chatty
These cats have a reputation for being very chatty, as they want to make sure they’re the centre of attention!
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100%
Need for exercise / Sporty
These cats are quite active. Their indoor and outdoor environment must offer them the necessary space to play, run and climb.
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33%
Tendency to run away
Burmillas are very attached to their owners.
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100%
Greedy / Gluttony
Burmillas tend to be overweight so you have to be wary of their natural greediness!
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Is the Burmilla right for you?
take the testCompatibility
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Burmilla and cats
In general, Burmillas prefer the company of cats from other breeds rather than their own, but they are perfectly capable of getting along with other Burmillas if the introductions are done in the right way.
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100%
Burmilla and dogs
Their calm nature makes them the ideal companion for other animals.
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100%
Burmilla and children
As they need to expend their energy, the presence of children (who know how to play respectfully with animals) will often bring Bumillas joy.
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33%
Burmilla and the elderly
The energy levels of these cats makes them more suitable for families with an active lifestyle rather than an elderly person.
Price
Their price ranges from £500 to £650. Price varies depending on their gender, lineage (parental pedigree) and their conformity to the breed standard.
It costs on average £25 to £30/ month to provide for its needs, to provide it with a good quality diet and keep it in good health.
Grooming
Fur maintenance is easy as their short hair does not require daily brushing. It is necessary, however, to keep and eye on the condition of their eyes and ears.
Shedding
Aside from their hair moulting with seasonal changes, Burmillas don’t lose their hair, meaning no special attention needs to be paid to their grooming.
Nutrition of the Burmilla
Burmillas are known for their predisposition for obesity. It is therefore key to ensure a balanced diet while keeping energy expenditure levels reasonably high.
Health of the Burmilla
Life expectancy
Life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years.
Strong / robust
Due to their light undercoats, Burmillas prefer warm weather to cold weather.
Tendency to put on weight
High activity levels must be maintained to avoid the cat becoming overweight.
Common illnesses
Although they are generally healthy cats, Burmillas can still develop the same illnesses as all other cats. They can be prone to periodontal diseases (gingivitis and tartar) and therefore dental care is highly recommended.
Also, Burmillas are prone to polycystic kidney disease (PKD), which is an inherited disorder from the Persian side. It is therefore advisable to have genetically tested the cats during breeding.
Reproduction
The breed was recognised in Europe around 1990 by the International Feline Federation and the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. In the United States, the breed was provisionally recognised in the 2000s. Cross breeding is permitted with the English Burmese, Asian and Persian breeds.