GENERAL BREED
STANDARD The Birman is a medium to large strong-boned,
muscular semi-longhaired cat. It is slightly longer in all its
component parts than a Persian or Exotic Shorthair. It has
medium-sized, flared ears, almost round eyes, roman nose and rounded
muzzle. It has himalayan markings, but with white paws and gauntlets
added; both strongly defined. Males are generally larger than
females.
HEAD
-
strongly-boned and broader than high. Forehead slopes well back,
slightly convex in profile, with flatter appearance in front of and
between the ears. Broad cheeks and slightly rounded in the muzzle.EARS
- medium in
height, almost as wide at the base as tall. Modified to a rounded
tip and set as much to the side as into the top of the head.
Slightly flared.
EYES
- almost round,
set well apart, not bold. In repose, the upper lid should appear to
be flatter, less rounded than the lower lid. The outer corner tilted
very slightly upward.
NOSE
- broad, medium
length. Starting just below the eyes, a slight dip is essential, but
a definite stop is not acceptable. A downward change in angle below
the dip makes the nose slightly roman in profile, setting the nose
pad a little low.
CHEEKS
– full and
broad, helping create the broader than high head.
JAWS
- strong and
broad, with a somewhat rounded muzzle.
CHIN
- firm, full
and strong, in a vertical line with the tip of the nose.
NECK
- strong and
medium length, in proportion to the head and body.
BODY
- medium length
solid and muscular, with no appearance of fragility. Chest broad.
Males more robust than females.
TAIL
- sufficiently
long to reach to just before the shoulders. Bushy, wider at base,
tapering in boning to an oval tip.
LEGS
- strong and
heavily-boned. Medium length, so that although the body is long, the
cat does not stand high on its legs. The hind legs are slightly
longer than the front legs.
PAWS
- large, round
and firm.
TEMPERAMENT
– should be
placid, allowing easy handling at all times.
SCALE OF POINTS
|
Head (incl. size and shape of eyes) |
25 points |
|
|
Body (including tail size, shape, size, bone &
length) |
25 points |
50 points |
|
Coat Length and texture |
10 points |
|
|
Coat Colour |
10 points |
|
|
Gloves and Gauntlets |
20 points |
40 points |
|
Eyes Colour
|
5 points |
|
|
Overall Condition |
5 points |
10 points |
|
|
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|
|
Total: |
100 points |
|
FAULTS
REFER TO
GENERAL LIST FOR ALL BREEDS, PLUS: -
|
PENALISE: |
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small, rounded ears
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lack of width in head
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strongly almond eyes
|
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a second downward dip or slight bump near
the end of the nose (called a bee sting) is a fault.
|
|
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weak chin
|
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lack of length in tail
|
|
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fine boning
|
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hooding
|
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white whisker pads
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no contrast between point and body
colouring
|
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tabby barring, though ghost markings
acceptable on kittens.
|
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runners (streaks of white) up the
legs.
|
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WITHHOLD: |
|
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Siamese or Persian type
|
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green eyes
|
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areas of white in point colour
|
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spots or patches of white (excluding
gloves and gauntlets) anywhere on the body, particularly on
chin, chest or stomach.
|
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coloured spots on gloves or
gauntlets
|
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coloured toe/s
|
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grossly uneven foot markings
|
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lack of white on the hock/s or one or
both back legs |
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NOTE:
A cat may have
slightly imperfect gloves and/or gauntlets, small areas of
white around the genitals and still be eligible for awards. |
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