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The Scratching Post
Birman 
The Birman is a large, long and stocky cat with long silky hair and four pure white feet. The head is strong, broad and rounded. The nose is medium in length and width. The cheeks are full and somewhat rounded and the jaws are heavy. The strong chin is well-developed. The ears are medium in length and are as wide at the base as they are tall. The round eyes have a sweet expression and are set wide apart. The tail is medium in length. The coat is medium long to long and has a silky texture. There is a heavy ruff around the neck and the hair is slightly curly on the stomach. The fur does not mat. The striking paws on this breed are round and firm with pure white gloves. There is a penalty if the white does not run across the front paws in an even line and a disqualification if there are no white gloves on any paws.
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Temperament
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The Birman is gentle, playful and active; however, they can be quiet and unobtrusive if you are busy doing other things. They love to be around people and can sometimes get underfoot. This affectionate cat likes a lot of company. They tend to be very curious and will investigate everything. They can be a bit mischievous. This cat is very soft-voiced and does not mind being handled.
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Weight
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Male 8-12 lbs. ; Female 7-9 lbs.
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Health Problems
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The Birman is a generally healthy cat with no breed-specific health problems but some are sensitive to anesthetics.
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Living Conditions
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Birmans are not outdoor cats preferring to be inside with their family present.
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Exercise
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This breed is very active and loves to get underfoot. They get plenty of activity indoors.
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Life Expectancy
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Up to 15 years
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Grooming
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Birmans love to be touched. Unlike Persians, their coats do not mat. They lose their kitten coat when they are around a year old, and then, a beautiful ruff grows around the neck. There is also a darker mask and point color and a beautiful ivory body. You only need to groom once a week. Birmans shed seasonally; therefore, more frequent grooming is necessary to remove loose hair. More grooming is necessary if showing the cat.
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Origin
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The name Birman is from the French spelling for Burma. The modern history of the Birman is shrouded in mystery. It is believed that in 1919, pair of Birman cats were shipped from Burma to France. Though the male cat did not survive the journey, the then pregnant female did. From this birth, the Birman was established in the western world. Birmans were recognized by England in 1966 and by the CFA in 1967.
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