Birmans were, as legend goes, companions to the priests of the Temple of Lao-Tsun. During an attack on the temple, the Birman was magically transformed into what it is now and given its characteristic white paws. There is conflicting information and opinions on how the Birman breed came about, which only adds to its mystery, but nevertheless, they somehow managed to make it to France in the early twentieth century where their early documented history began. In 1959, the first Birman was imported into the United States.The Birman is a very quiet and undemanding cat. They love the company of humans and are often labelled as "velcro-kitties." Birmans also get along with other pets and enjoy attention. Birmans have a semi-long to long, single layer coat that is of a non-matting texture unlike other long-haired breeds. They are color-pointed cats meaning that they have light bodies with darker points on the face, ears, legs, and tail. The points can come in a huge variety of color: from the traditional seal to the new red factor. Birmans are unique in that they possess what is called gloving: white front and back paws with white "laces/gauntlets." |