Burmese

Lore & Background

The first deliberate attempt to develop the Burmese in Britain in the late 19th century resulted in what were known as chocolate Siamese, and the breed slowly died out in Britain. Wong Mau was bred with a seal point Siamese and then with her son, producing dark brown kittens that became the foundation of a new strain.

Reader's Guide

The Burmese cat holds significance as a breed developed from a single imported female, Wong Mau, and shaped by divergent breeding standards in the United States and Britain. American breeders produced a stockier cat with a broad head and round eyes, while British breeders favoured a more slender, wedge-headed type. Most modern registries do not formally recognise these as separate breeds, but those that do refer to the British type as the European Burmese. The breed's original dark brown colour (black sepia) results from the Burmese colourpoint gene, which reduces pigment production. Over time, a wide variety of sepia colours emerged, including blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, and tortoiseshell patterns, though recognition varies by standard. Burmese cats are notably people-oriented, maintaining kitten-like energy into adulthood and forming strong bonds with owners, often described as puppy-like. They are persistently vocal with softer voices than Siamese. The breed contributed to the development of the Tonkinese, Bombay, and Burmilla breeds.

Did You Know?

• The breed's original standard colour is a rich dark brown, genetically called black sepia.
• The two versions of the breed (American and British) are not formally recognised as separate by most registries, but those that do refer to the British type as the European Burmese.
• The Burmese colourpoint gene can combine with the Siamese gene to produce the Tonkinese-type 'mink' expression.

Common Misconceptions (Editorial)

Some believe the Burmese cat originated in Thailand, as part of the Siamese breed family, but its origin is in Burma, near the Thai–Burma border. Others think the breed was always recognized by its modern appearance, but in fact, early British attempts in the late 19th century produced "chocolate Siamese" that eventually died out, and the modern strain began with a cat named Wong Mau bred with a seal point Siamese. A common misconception is that all Burmese cats are the same worldwide, but the American and British versions are considered separate by some registries, with the British type called the European Burmese.

Why It Matters (Editorial)

The Burmese endures not only for its striking dark sepia coat but for its uniquely engaging personality—combining a playful, social nature with a persistent vocalization that makes it feel more like a companion than a pet. Its roots near the Thai–Burma border and its genetic link to the Tonkinese breed also remind us how a single cat, Wong Mau, can become the foundation of an entire strain, highlighting the influence of deliberate breeding on domestic cat history.