CATALOG OF BREEDS
160
THIS EASYGOING BREED MAKES AN IDEAL COMPANION FOR OWNERS OF ALL AGES
TIFFANIE
Formerly called the Asian Longhair, and recognized as
the Burmilla Longhair in US in 2015, the Tiffanie originated
by chance as a longhaired variant of the Burmilla, a breed
that itself originated as a happy accident following an
unplanned mating between a European Burmese (p.39) and
a Persian Chinchilla (p.140). The Tiffanie is a gentle, cuddly
cat with a hint of mischief inherited from the Burmese side
of its family. This cat is good at amusing itself with its own
games, but is pleased if a human wants to join in. Sensitive
and intelligent, the Tiffanie is said to be highly responsive to
the moods of its owner.
Place of origin UK
Date of origin 1980s
Breed registries GCCF, TICA
Weight range 8–14lb
(3.5–6.5kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
All solid and shaded colors;
tabby and tortie patterns.
Thick ruff
around neck
Oval paws
Broad, wedge-
shaped head
Medium-long,
silky coat
darkens toward
base of tail
Fairly large,
wide-based ears
Long,
plumed tail
Strong,
medium-
length legs
Compact body
with straight,
muscular back
Blue-tipped
silver coat
Yellow-green eyes
set well apart
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161
LONGHAIRS
A RARE BREED WITH A SOFT, FULL, RICHLY COLORED COAT
CHANTILLY/TIFFANY
The history of the Chantilly/Tiffany starts with a litter of
chocolate-brown kittens born to two longhaired cats of unknown
origin. A once widespread belief that the Burmese was included
in the breed’s ancestry has now been discounted. The various
names under which these cats have been registered during
development of the breed—Foreign Longhair, Tiffany, and
Chantilly—caused much confusion, and the
dual name is now the most commonly
accepted. Although very attractive
and possessing a sweet personality,
the Chantilly/Tiffany has not yet
achieved great popularity. It loves
human companionship but asks
for it politely, attracting attention
with a soft trill.
Place of origin US
Date of origin 1960s
Breed registries Other
Weight range 6–11lb (2.5–5kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
Black, blue, lilac,
chocolate, cinnamon,
and fawn; various
tabby patterns.
Medium-
long body
Long tail is
thickly plumed
Nose slopes to
broad muzzle
Ears with
rounded tips
Silky, semi-long
chocolate coat
has minimal
undercoat
Longer ruff
around neck
Legs strong
but not heavy
High
cheekbones
Almond-shaped
eyes slightly
angled
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CATALOG OF BREEDS
162
THIS CAT IS QUIET AND GENTLE BUT HIGHLY RESPONSIVE TO AN OWNER’S ATTENTION
BIRMAN
With its distinctive colorpoints, this exquisite cat has
the appearance of a longhaired Siamese, but the two breeds
are unlikely to be closely related. According to a charming
legend, Birmans descend from the sacred white cats once
kept by priests in Myanmar (Burma), their coloring
bestowed by mysterious supernatural powers. In reality,
the breed was probably created in France in the 1920s,
though the foundation cats may have been acquired from
Myanmar. Long-bodied and sturdily built, the Birman has
silky textured hair that does not mat
like that of many longhaired cats.
Well-developed jaw
Strong,
elongated body
Thick ruff
around neck
Round
blue eyes
Paws have
white gloves
Roman nose
Sturdy legs
Full cheeks and
round muzzle
Place of origin Myanmar
(Burma)/France
Date of origin c.1920s
Breed registries CFA, FIFe,
GCCF, TICA
Weight range 6–9 lb (4.5–8 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
All colorpoints, with
white feet.
Silky blue
point coat
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PEACEFUL PET
Gentle and sweet, the Birman is an
exceptionally easy pet to live with. Even
the long coat is not difficult to groom,
since there is little undercoat to become
tangled or clogged with loose hair.
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CATALOG OF BREEDS
164
AN IMPRESSIVELY LARGE CAT THAT IS KIND-NATURED AND EASY TO KEEP
MAINE COON
Regarded as America’s native cat, the
Maine Coon is named after the state where
it was first recognized. How the breed
first arrived there has been explained
in various entertaining but mostly improbable
tales. Wilder versions of the Maine Coon’s
history put forward the theory that it descends
from Scandinavian cats brought in by the
Vikings, or claim that several cats of this type
were sent to the US by Marie Antoinette,
anxious to preserve her pets during the
French Revolution. The suggestion that the
Maine Coon was originally a hybrid between
feral cats and raccoons can definitely be
discounted as a scientific impossibility, though
the cat’s bushy tail makes it easy to see how
the idea might once have had credibility.
Huge and handsome, the Maine Coon has a
thick, shaggy, waterproof coat that served it
well in its earlier role as a farm cat, leading an
outdoor life through harsh North American
winters. Once highly regarded for its skills as a
vermin catcher, this breed has become a
popular pet since the mid-20th century. Maine
Coons have many endearing characteristics,
including a tendency to act like kittens all
their lives. Their voice, described by some as a
birdlike chirp, sounds surprisingly small for
such a big cat. These cats are slow to mature
and do not usually reach their full magnificent
growth until about their fifth year.
Place of origin US
Date of origin 1800s
Breed registries CFA, FIFe,
GCCF, TICA
Weight range 9–17 lb (4–7.5 kg)
Grooming
Colors and patterns
Many solid colors and shades
in tortoiseshell, tabby, and
bicolor patterns.
Long,
thick-furred
tail
Medium-long,
sturdy legs
Large, round,
tufted feet
Hair longer
on ruff
Large,
tufted ears
Oval copper-
colored eyes
Square
muzzle
Heavily built,
broad-chested
body
Red coat
with smooth,
silky texture
A Maine Coon in full coat has an immense
ruff, which is usually shaggier in males
than in females. This provides excellent
insulation and would have been a vital
cold-weather
accessory when
Maine Coons were
outdoor working
cats. The coat
changes
seasonally, much
of the thick
undercoat being
shed in summer.
SEASONAL COAT
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