Originally from Burma, the Birman cats were long haired cats known to be the companion cats of Kittah priests. Birmans ideally are strong, large, long haired cats with an elongated body and small pointy ears. These are often referred to as stocky cats, given that their bodies are neither svelte nor cobby.

They are color pointed but have pure white feet and long hair, which is extremely silky. Whilst the hair of the Birman cat is not as silky as the Persian one, it is of a type which does not require much care or grooming. The coat is often light colored, usually with a golden cast. Most Birmans have color points on their coats, which could be seal, blue, lilac, cream, chocolate or red. Recently, Australian breeders have been trying to create Birmans with other point colors like cinnamon or fawn. The eyes of the Birman are characteristically blue in color and remain so throughout their lives.

It is important to note that there are three basic kinds of Birman cats, each dependent on the color of their points. These three types include the Point cats, the Tortoiseshell point cats and the Lynx point cats. The Point cats usually have seal, lilac, red, cream, chocolate or blue color points. The Tortoiseshell point cats have seal, chocolate and lilac points while the Lynx ones come in a greater variety including, seal, chocolate, lilac, lilac cream, red, blue, seal tortoiseshell,  chocolate tortoiseshell and blue cream.

The most amazing aspect of these cats is that whatever be their point colors, their feet are always white. In fact, their feet have a glove like look, which is largely due to the reason of their genes. It is important to note that while the white color is allowed and accepted on their feet or gloves, it is not so anywhere else. In other words, if any other part of the body of a Birman cat is white, it is to be attributed to some genetic fault. Fingers of the feet have to be white but the white color should not extend beyond the place where the toes change into metacarpals.

It is, however, interesting to note that Birman kittens are born white and start developing color anywhere from 1 week to14 days, depending on the kind of point color they are developing. Tail, ears and nose are the first parts of the Birman body that develop color. However, the true color of a Birman cat is seen only after it reaches the age of 2 years.

Birman cats are found to be more active than Persian cats but less than the Siamese ones. Whilst these cats are extremely individualistic, they are extremely loyal as well and have a gentle disposition. They are extremely docile cats with a loving personality, and quiet demeanor. Being affectionate and social cats, they love spending time with humans and get along with other pets in the household. Being intelligent cats, they take a keen interest in their surroundings and happenings.