Shape: The head is strong, broad, and rounded from frontal view; slightly longer than wide in profile. Cheeks are full.
Ears: The ears are almost as wide at the base as they are tall. They should be open at the base, have a slightly rounded tip, and be medium in size, and placed moderately far apart with furnishings.
Eyes: The eyes are medium to large, moderately rounded, and set fairly wide apart. They are blue in color, the deeper the better.
Chin: The chin has good depth, forming a perpendicular line with upper lip.
Muzzle: The muzzle has medium length, with enough width to prevent a pinched look.
Nose: The nose is medium in length and is roman in shape withnostrils set low.
Profile: The forehead is sloped back with a slight transverse flat spot in the middle of the forehead just above the eye ridge. There is a change of direction between the forehead and the roman nose.
BODY:
Torso: The Birman is a fullbodied, medium long, sturdy cat with a level back. The overall size is medium to large. The neck is strong
and well-muscled, thicker on breeding males. In all respects, males are generally larger than females.
Legs: The legs are medium in length, heavily boned, well- muscled, and in good proportion to the body.
Feet: The feet are large, rounded, and firm.
Tail: The tail is full and in good proportion to the body.
Musculature: Firm and strong.
COAT:
Length: Semi-long to long.
Texture: Silky with no undercoat.
Miscellaneous: Heavy ruff is desirable, especially in males. Fur can be slightly curly on the stomach. Seasonal changes should be
considered when judging coat length.
PATTERN:
Gloves and Laces: All Birmans should have white feet.
Front paws have white gloves, preferably ending in an even line
across paws at third joint (where toes meet paws).
The back paws have white gloves covering the front of each paw, extending up the back of
the legs ending in a point approximately half way up the hock ("laces").
Evenly matched gloves and laces give a more balanced look,
but variations are allowed.
The paw pads may be all pink or spotted with color the same as the points.
Gloves and Laces are weighted equally in
evaluation.
Although the Gloves and Laces are important aspects of the Birman, they are secondary to conformation.
COLOR:
Birmans are pointed in all colors. Coat color and point color are weighted equally in evaluation.
OTHER:
Balance: The Birman is a wellbalanced cat, not extreme in any way.
Condition: The Birman should be in top health condition, with a clean, well-groomed coat and body.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The Sacred Cat of Burma (Birman) is a semi-longhaired pointed cat with white feet. He is imposing in
appearance, medium to large in stature, with heavy boning in proportion to size. Females are appreciably smaller than males. The
Birman is to be healthy, muscular, and in good balance. The coat has a tendency not to mat or tangle. The Birman is accepted in all pointed
colors with distinctive white gloves and laces.
ALLOWANCES:
Age may produce shading or darkening of the coat color, which is acceptable. Freckling on the lip and/or ear areas in the Red
Factor points is allowed. Paw pads spotted with color is allowed.
PENALIZE:
Areas of white extending above the level of the dew pad on the rear of the front leg, lack of one or both laces, free spots of
point color in gloves or laces (excluding the paw pads).
WITHHOLD ALL AWARDS (WW):
Lack of any white on any foot, and free areas of white in the mask, ears,or tail.
– – – – –
Temperament must be unchallenging; any sign of definite challenge shall disqualify. The cat may exhibit fear, seek to flee, or generally
complain aloud but may not threaten to harm. In accordance with Show Rules,
ARTICLE SIXTEEN,
The following shall be considered
mandatory disqualifications: a cat that bites (216.9), a cat showing evidence of intent to deceive (216.10), adult whole male cats not
having two descended testicles (216.11), cats with all or part of the tail missing , except as authorized by a board approved standard
(216.12.1), cats with more than five toes on each front foot and four toes on each back foot, unless proved the result of an injury or as
authorized by a board approved standard (216.12.2), visible or invisible tail faults if Board approved standard requires
disqualification (216.12.4), crossed eyes if Board approved standard requiresdisqualification (216.12.5), total blindness
(216.12.6), markedly smaller size, not in keeping with the breed (216.12.9), and depression of the sternum or unusually small
diameter of the rib cage itself (216.12.11.1).
See Show Rules, ARTICLE SIXTEEN formore comprehensive rules governing
penalties and disqualifications.