Burmese Cat Picture

Ancient Burmese Cat picture galleries can be found on the territory of modern Burma, Thailand, and Malaya. The breed originated from Thailand, then known as Siam. Burmese soldiers invaded Siam in the 18th century and took Siam temple cats with them. In the late 19th century, these cats were taken to Europe. For over a century, Burmese Cats have been imported to Europe along with Siamese that left the Burmese at the shade because of their striking coat pattern. Burmese Cats were known as Chocolate Siamese and were not very popular. Many cat fanciers of that time believed the Burmese Cat to be a color variation of the Siamese. Breeders crossbred Burmese and Siamese cats to make the Burmese look much like the Siamese. Lack of popularity caused breed extinction from Europe.

In 1930, a Burmese Cat was imported to the USA and bred to a Sealpoint Siamese. There were both Sealpoint Siamese and brown kittens in the litter. Though inbreeding, darker kittens were created and the American variety of the Burmese Cat was established. The new breed was recognized by the CFA in 1936. You can find early Burmese Cat picture galleries on the websites of breed fanciers.

The history of the breed in the USA was difficult. In 1947, the recognition of the breed was suspended by the CFA, but other registries continued to register these cats. In 1954, the suspension was lifted, and in 1958, a uniform breed standard was adopted by the UBCF (United Burmese Cat Fanciers.) All purebred Burmese Cats in the USA are judged by that standard. European registries have adopted their own standards. The difference can be seen on Burmese Cat picture galleries.

In Europe, the Burmese Cat revived in 1945, when British soldiers returned from Burma and took cats with them. In 1952, the Burmese was recognized by the GCCF (UK Governing Council of the Cat Fancy.) From 1949 to 1956, many Burmese Cats were imported to England from the USA. The gene pool of the Burmese Cat in England was very limited till in 1969, many cats of this breed were introduced to Europe through Canada. Nowadays, this breed is rather popular, you can find Burmese Cat picture galleries on numerous websites.