Burmilla

The Burmilla is a recent breed that arrived by accident. From this, a whole new range of Burmese-shaped cats developed. This is known as the Asian group.

The result of an accidental mating in London between a lilac Burmese female and a male Chinchilla, this breed has a romantic origin. The two cats grew up together, designated for different breeding programs. The Burmese was locked into the study, ready to meet her Burmese mate, when the housekeeper heard the Chinchilla scratching at the door. Thinking the two had been accidentally separated, she opened the door. Nature took its course, and in 1981 the first Burmillas arrived!

A cat of Burmese type, well muscled, sturdy but elegant. The difference is the coat, which has inherited the tipped shading of the Chinchilla ancestor. The undercoat is pale, with even tipping over the rest of the body and with a distinct "M" on the forehead. Colors are black, blue, chocolate, lilac, caramel and apricot, in both full and Burmese expression.

Origin: Britain

Grooming: 2/5

Activity: 4/5

GCCF Group: Foreign Shorthairs

This was the first breed to have “temperament” written into its Standard of Points — when the breeding program was set up, the aim was to produce a cat that would be both beautiful and sweet-natured. Intelligent, lively and friendly, it is quieter than the Burmese, but more outgoing than the Chinchilla.

The Burmilla makes a great family pet. It gets on well with other breeds and other family pets. In a rural environment it is a great hunter.