Active: Burmilla cats are high energy felines, they love interaction and being playful with their human friends. They are also very sensitive and aware of their surroundings so when it is time to be affectionate or cuddle they are more than happy to oblige.
Size: Medium-bodied, Burmillas usually weigh approximately 8-12 pounds.
Characteristics: The Burmilla cat breed tends to have many similar features to Burmese cats, with medium-sized bodies that are both muscular and firm, with medium-size legs that are longer in the hind than they are in the front. Their heads are slightly rounded at the top with a taper towards a blunt muzzle. Their incredibly expressive, wide-set eyes will win over anyone and their beautiful shade, ranging from gold to green, is sure to dazzle. They naturally look fancy and "done up" because all of their facial features look like they have been outlined with eyeliner. Their most well-known feature, their coat, is very beautiful. What makes it truly unique is the sparkling silver background that is tipped or shaded in black, blue, brown, chocolate, caramel, cream lilac, or red, or a blue, brown black, chocolate or lilac tortoiseshell pattern.
Temperament: Burmilla cats are independent, silly, sweet, playful, quiet and laid back. This wonderful combination forms the personality that you are sure to adore in your Burmilla cat. One moment they will do something clownish and funny, just to amuse you, and the next they will be showering you with affection. Because they are very smart they enjoy games, toys and scratching posts. They love to be a part of the action and they are more than happy to play with the whole family including dogs and children.
Care: Regardless of the hair length, grooming Burmilla cats is relatively easy. They simply need to be combed once or twice per week to avoid or remove any tangles or mats in their beautiful coat. They very rarely need baths but they can use a little pampering in the form of weekly nail trimming, teeth brushing and ear cleaning.
Coat: The Burmilla coat can be short or semi-long and tends to be dense and silky.
Origin: The history of the Burmilla cat breed begins with a happy accident. A Burmese cat breeder, Miranda Von Kirchberg, purchased a chinchilla Persian male cat, Jemari Sanquist, as a gift for her husband in 1981. Through a twist of fate, a door was left open when Miranda and her husband were not home and her lilac Burmese cat, Bambino Lilac Fabergé, was joined by the new member of the family, Jemari. During their secret rendezvous, the two mated and, as fate would have it, produced a litter of 4 kittens that would be the beginning of the Burmilla breed. The sweet kittens that were born on September 11, 1981 were so adorable and intriguing that development of the breed was pursued. The Burmilla cat breed is considered an Asian cat breed and it quickly developed many admirers.
Von Kirchberg, along with fellow breeders who were intrigued by the new Burmilla breed pursued official recognition and in 1989 the GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) officially recognized the breed. The Burmilla cats have been strictly bred back to only pure Burmese cats to maintain the desired characteristics that Burmilla cats are now known for. While the breed is still relatively obscure, it is growing in popularity and today there are breeding groups in the United States breeding their own lines of Burmilla cats as well. In addition to the GCCF, the Burmilla cat breed is also recognized by the Europe’s Federation Internationale Feline. Also, the breed entered the Cat Fanciers Association Miscellaneous Class in February 2011 but is still not recognized by major registries or associations in the United States.