Burmilla Cats
The Burmilla is a breed which originated in the United Kingdom in 1981. It was a cross between the Chinchilla Persian and Burmese. The Cat Fanciers' Association does not currently recognize the Burmilla Breed. However the ACF, CCA, and FIFe do. The Burmilla were said to have been created by accident. It is said that a Chinchilla Persian named Sanquist, and a lilac Burmese named Feberge, were both awaiting a partner of their own breed in different rooms. One night the cleaner left the door open and the pair were allowed to breed. The result was 4 kittens in 1981.
History of Burmilla Cats
Physical Characteristics
The Burmilla can have a variety of coat colours, including black, blue, brown, chocolate and lilac. Although red, cream and tortoishell (calico) varieties have been bred, these colours are not recognised by most judging bodies. In addition the undercoat is either Silver or Golden, depending on the colour in the Persian heritage. The Burmilla's shading comes in three major coat patterns which relate to the depth of colour. These are Tipped, Shaded and Smoke. Tipped Burmillas have at least 3/4 of their fur in the underlying colour (Silver or Golden) and the remainder is a light dusting of "colour" over the top. In the case of Silvers, these cats appear almost white. Shaded Burmillas have 1/4 - 1/2 as their colour, and Smoke have almost all colour with only a faint pale base to each hair. The cats have nose leather which is red to pink (smoke cats have solid colour corresponding to their coat). In addition their paw pads correspond to the coat colouring: Black cats have black paw pads, Chocolate have brown-black, Brown cats have brown, both Blue and Lilac have pink.
Temperament
The Burmilla has the best features of both the Burmese & the Chinchilla. They have the playful nature of the Burmese without being overly active, and the quiet, laid back nature of the Chinchilla. Burmillas love to play, and access to toys & scratching posts are important, as is daily attention from their owners as they are an affectionate cat & enjoy being a part of the family.
Words used to describe the Burmilla include: intelligent, playful, affectionate, gentle, sweet-tempered.