Burmese Breed Standard

GENERAL: the overall impression of the ideal Burmese would be a cat of medium size with substantial bone structure, good muscular development and a surprising weight for its size. This together with a rounded head, expressive eyes and a sweet expression presents a totally distinctive cat which is comparable to no other breed. Perfect physical condition, with excellent muscle tone is expected. There should be no evidence of obesity, paunchiness, weakness, or apathy.

HEAD, EARS, and EYES: The head pleasingly rounded without flat planes whether viewed from the front or side. The face is full with considerable breadth between the eyes and blends gently into a broad, well-developed short muzzle that maintains the rounded contours of the head. In profile there is a visible nose break. The chin is firmly rounded, reflecting a proper bite. The head sits on a well-developed neck. The ears are medium in size, set well apart, broad at the base and rounded at the tips. Tilting slightly forward, the ears contribute to an alert appearance. The eyes are large, set far apart, with a rounded aperture.

BODY: The body medium in size, muscular in development, and presents a compact appearance. Allowance to be made for larger size in males. There should be an ample, rounded chest, with a back that is level from shoulder to tail.

LEGS: Are well proportioned to body.

PAWS: Are round with five toes in front and four behind.

TAIL: Is straight and medium in length.

COAT: Is fine, glossy, with a satin-like texture.  It is short and very close lying.

PENALIZE: Distinct barring on either the front or rear outer legs. Trace (faint) barring is permitted in kittens and young adults. Elongated muzzle with severe narrowing, resulting in a wedge-shaped head which detracts from the rounded contours of the head. Green eyes. Abnormal tail.

DISQUALIFY: Kinked tail, lockets or spots. Blue eyes. Crossed eyes. Incorrect nose leather or paw pad color. A malocclusion of the jaw that results in a severe underbite or overbite that visually prohibits the described profile and/or malformation that results in protruding teeth or a wry face or jaw. Distinct barring on the torso. Any color other than the four accepted colors of sable, champagne, blue and platinum.

BURMESE COLORS

SABLE: The mature specimen is a rich, warm, sable brown; shading almost imperceptibly to a slightly lighter hue on the underparts but otherwise without shadings, barring, or markings of any kind. (Kittens are often lighter in color.) Nose leather and paw pads: Brown. Eye color: Ranges from yellow to gold, the greater the depth and brilliance the better.

CHAMPAGNE: The mature specimen should be a warm honey beige, shading to a pale gold tan underside. Slight darkening on ears and face permissible but lesser shading preferred. A slight darkening in older specimens allowed, the emphasis being on evenness of color. Nose leather: Light warm brown. Paw pads: Warm pinkish tan. Eye color: Ranging from yellow to gold, the greater the depth and brilliance the better.

BLUE: The mature specimen should be a medium blue with warm fawn undertones, shading almost imperceptibly to a slightly lighter hue on the underparts, but otherwise without shadings, barring or markings of any kind. Nose leather and paw pads: Slate gray. Paw pads: Ranging from slate gray to warm pinkish blue. Eye color: Ranging from yellow to gold, the greater the depth and brilliance the better.

PLATINUM: The mature specimen should be a pale, silvery gray with pale fawn undertones, shading almost imperceptibly to a slightly lighter hue on the underparts, but otherwise without shadings, barring or markings of any kind. Nose leather and paw pads: Lavender-pink. Eye color: Ranging from yellow to gold, the greater the depth and brilliance the better.