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miaomap.com · Breed atlas021 / BML
Burmilla
Shorthaired black shaded silver with a silver-white base and green eyes
✳ miaomap.comBreed atlas · 021
Feline breed atlas021 / BML
Burmilla
Origin
United Kingdom
Coat
Silky short coat; also a semi-longhair variety
Developed in Britain, the Burmilla traces its beginnings to an accidental 1981 mating between a chinchilla-colored Persian and a lilac European Burmese.
Developed in Britain, the Burmilla traces its beginnings to an accidental 1981 mating between a chinchilla-colored Persian and a lilac European Burmese. Four black shaded silver, shorthaired female kittens inspired Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg to begin a breeding program. Persian ancestry also introduced semi-long hair; the shorthaired and semi-longhaired forms are coat varieties of the same breed, not separate ancestral lines.
02Burmilla appearance and coat
The Burmilla has a medium, muscular body, slender but strongly boned legs, and slightly longer hind legs. Its softly rounded head narrows to a blunt wedge, with medium-to-large, forward-tilting ears. Large, widely spaced green eyes have dark outlines. Silky fur contrasts pale roots with colored tips; the medium-to-long tail tapers to a rounded end. Appearance alone cannot establish pedigree.
03Burmilla temperament and interaction
Burmillas are often described as sociable, curious and playful, with bursts of activity balanced by quiet rest. Some enjoy being nearby without constantly seeking attention. Compatibility with children or other animals depends on individual temperament, early experiences and gradual introductions; breed descriptions cannot guarantee any cat’s behavior.
04Grooming and everyday care
Comb a shorthaired Burmilla gently at least weekly; the semi-longhaired variety needs closer attention to tangles. Both shed despite relatively manageable coats. Maintain nail trims, dental care and ear cleaning when needed, and provide climbing opportunities and daily play. Some inherited concerns from the parent breeds may occur, so ask breeders about screening and discuss individual care with a veterinarian.
Burmilla · Common questions before choosing a cat
How is the Burmilla related to Burmese and chinchilla Persians?
The founding cross combined a European Burmese with a chinchilla-colored Persian. Subsequent breeding developed the Burmilla as a breed with its own characteristics, rather than simply a label for either parent’s appearance. Silver fur or dark eye outlines offer clues, but reliable pedigree records are needed to confirm ancestry.
What is the difference between tipped silver and shaded silver Burmillas?
Both patterns combine a pale base with colored hair tips. CFA describes tipping as approximately one eighth of hair length and shading as approximately one third, making shaded silver look darker overall. The representative cat shown is black shaded silver with green eyes, not a depiction of every Burmilla color.
Is the longhaired Burmilla a separate breed, and does the shorthair shed?
The longhaired form is a semi-longhaired variety of the same breed, not a separate origin. Its fine, silky coat has a fuller tail without a woolly undercoat. Shorthairs also shed. Groom both at least weekly, increasing checks and combing for semi-longhaired cats when tangles or heavier shedding appear.
Sources and production notes
Text is based on the association sources below. AI-assisted original illustrations depict one coat variety, not every individual. Health and care information is general and does not replace veterinary assessment.
Based on the association sources listed on each profile. Illustrations do not establish pedigree. Independently produced by miaomap, without association endorsement. Numbers are catalog IDs, not rarity ranks.
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