Tiffany
Other names: Asian Longhair, Chantilly Tiffany
The Tiffany, a fairly rare breed originating from the UK, is the long-haired version of the English Burmese and the Asian. These cats have a mid-length coat and are blessed with a certain elegance, marrying the calm and serene character of the Persian with the vivacity of the Burmese.
Key facts about the Tiffany
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Origins and history
In the UK in 1981, Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg’s cats - a European Burmese and a Chincilla Persian - had a litter of kittens. They had the features of a Burmese, but the silver coloring of the Chinchilla Persian, which inspired the Baroness to create the Burmilla breed. The breeding programme then proceeded to develop and other English breeders produced kittens of colours other than silver (chocolate, blue, tabby, etc.), or kittens with long hair, thus creating two new breeds: the Asian (for the short-haired variety) and the Tiffany (for the long-haired variety).
Physical characteristics of the Tiffany
Adult size
Female : Between 10 and 12 in
Male : Between 11 and 14 in
The Asian Longhair reaches adult size around the age of 9 to 12 months.
Weight
Female : Between 13 and 18 lb
Male : Between 13 and 26 lb
Coat colour
Blue / slate grey, chocolate, sable, lilac, red, cream, tortoiseshell
All colours are recognised except white.
Type of coat
Mid-length
Eye colour
Golden yellow, green
The eye colour depends on the coat pattern: golden yellow for solid or sepia patterns, and green for silver patterns.
Description
Medium in size, they have a heavy body with a strong frame, ending with a tail that is fairly thick at the base and quite furry. Their legs are thin, with the hind legs being higher than the front ones. Their fur clings to their body and is longer at the collar, belly, breeches and tail. The head is shaped like a short triangle, medium in size, has large cheekbones and a slightly rounded snout. Their eyes are large and well spaced and their ears are medium-sized, broad at the base and rounded at the ends.
Good to know
The Tiffany is not to be confused with another breed whose status is still experimental: the Chantilly. This cat was known as the Tiffany during the 80s, and then later on, the Chantilly-Tiffany in the 90s, before it took its current name.
Temperament
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Affectionate
Soft and affectionate, these are cats that love to be cuddled.
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Playful
They aren’t the biggest fans of playing, but they will enjoy one or two interactive sessions a day to use up their energy.
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Calm
Owing to their Persian heritage, the Asian Longhair is happy to take a bit of time out when they feel the need to.
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Intelligent
Being curious and moderately active, they are not averse to discovering new forms of stimulation from time to time.
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Fearful / wary of strangers
These cats are known for being very sociable. They adapt to strangers very well if they are introduced gently.
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Independent
Tiffanies show an equal appreciation for the presence of their humans and for periods of solitude.
Behaviour of the Tiffany
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Chatty
Just like their cousin, the Burmese, they won’t hesitate to use their voice to get your attention.
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Need for exercise / Sporty
In terms of their need to get rid of energy, they are about average. A couple of interactive play sessions per day will be enough to keep them in good shape.
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Tendency to run away
These are cats that adapt very well to indoor living, but they can easily be tempted by life outside.
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Greedy / Gluttony
Asian Longhairs will quickly compensate for a lack of attention or stimulation with a voracious appetite.
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Is the Tiffany right for you?
take the testCompatibility
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Tiffany and cats
An introduction that is done in the right way will be the determining factor of a happy cohabitation between a Tiffany and other feline friends.
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Tiffany and dogs
If they’ve been well socialised with the canine species while still a kitten, they can have a beautiful relationship with dogs, perhaps even playing together eventually. Just be sure to provide high spots where the cat can take refuge if they aren’t in the mood to deal with a dog.
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Tiffany and children
They will willingly interact with children as long as they respect the cat’s needs for solitude and calm.
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Tiffany and the elderly
Being both calm and playful, the Tiffany will enjoy the company of a tranquil person who makes sure to provide them with the stimulating activities they need to stay occupied between cuddling sessions.
Price
The average purchase price of a Tiffany kitten is between £230 and £350, with this varying depending on the lineage, breeding, age or even the sex. For your monthly budget, you should allow around £25 per month to meet their needs by providing them with a high-quality diet and ensuring you keep them in good health.
Grooming
Despite the length of their coat, these cats only need a weekly brush since they only have a small amount of woolly undercoat.
Shedding
Although it will increase during malting periods, the hair loss in this breed is generally not very pronounced.
Nutrition of the Tiffany
It is important to give these cats a quality diet that is tailored to their age and their daily energy expenditure.
Health of the Tiffany
Life expectancy
The life expectancy of a Tiffany is between 12 and 15 years. Although it’s not uncommon for them to live to be as old as 17.
Strong / robust
Since they have little undercoat, these cats are better equipped for temperate climates than cold ones.
Tendency to put on weight
Their mid-length coat can often hide a little extra weight. It’s important to ensure that you control their caloric intake and their level of activity.
Common illnesses
These cats are fairly robust, but they can have a predisposition to polycystic kidney disease, a hereditary condition originating from the Persian. The disease causes the development of liquid-filled cysts in the kidneys, ultimately causing incurable renal failure. Tiffanies can also develop the same conditions as other cats, such as oral diseases.
Reproduction
Beyond pairings with other Tiffanies, crosses are also allowed with some other breeds - this includes the Asian, the Burmilla and the English Burmese.