Birman

The Birman comes wrapped in legend. Known as the Sacred Cat of Burma, it stars in a temple myth in which a golden goddess turned a faithful white temple cat to gold and sapphire, leaving its paws white where they rested on a dying priest.

The look matches the story. A Birman wears a silky pointed coat in seal, blue, and other shades, deep blue eyes, and four pure white feet, the front pair like gloves and the back like gauntlets. The coat is long but silky enough to resist matting.

Its nature is as soft as its coat. Birmans are gentle, quiet, and affectionate, more placid than the Siamese they resemble, content to follow you around and settle nearby without making demands.

The breed nearly vanished in Europe during the Second World War, surviving in a tiny handful of cats before being carefully rebuilt. It should not be confused with the Burmese, a different breed entirely.

The Birman is a calm, gentle companion that suits a quieter home. It is affectionate without being demanding, gets on with children and other pets, and tends to greet its people softly and settle nearby rather than clamor for attention.

The silky single coat resists matting and needs only a couple of brushings a week. The breed is generally healthy, though some lines can carry the heart condition HCM and a kidney condition, so responsible breeders test, and the cat does best as a companionable indoor pet.