The Burmilla/Tiffanie Program

A new Breed in North America, the Burmilla originated in Britain in 1981, from an accidental mating of a Lilac, (Platinum), Burmese and a Chinchilla Silver Persian. The progeny was so pleasing that a controlled breeding program followed. Standards emerged in 1984 and the Breed was granted championship status in Britain in 1994. Burmillas reached CCA Championship status in Canada, in 1998.

The Burmilla is a cat of Burmese type and temperament with coat colours not found within the Burmese. It is a medium-sized cat with a short and dense coat that has a bit of a "lift" to it! An easy-going and relaxed cat, the Burmilla has an affectionate and playful nature. This Breed is similar in nature to the Burmese.

CH. Horizons Aurora Red Tipped Silver female Burmilla

Possible colours are Black, Sable, Champagne, Platinum, Blue, Red, Cream and the Tortie version of Black, Sable, Champagne, Platinum and Blue.

These kittens are called Tiffanies in Britain (not to be confused with the North American Chantily/Tiffany, which has no Burmese in its' background).

GD CH. Horizons' Dream Catcher Sable Shaded Silver Tortie female Burmilla (Tiffanie)

The Long Haired Burmilla is a medium-sized cat with a fine and a silky coat, longer at the ruff and with a flowing plume-like tail. Colours and Patterns are the same as the Short Haired Burmilla Although longer in length, the long haired coat does not tangle and requires little grooming.

Like its' Burmese ancestors, the long haired Burmilla is energetic and loving, making it an excellent pet.

CH. Strathkirk Not-So-Shy-Boy Sable Ticked Tabby Silver male Burmilla (Tiffanie)

The process of producing a full Burmilla (or Asian using the English terminology) from a foundation breeding is complex, not for the faint hearted, and is as follows.

Step 1: Burmese x Chinchilla This gives 1st generation, (F1), Burmillas.

This results in Shaded or Tipped varieties or occasionally Ticked Tabbies if the Chinchilla carries Golden.

Step 2: F1 Burmilla back again to Burmese This gives 2nd generation, (F2), Burmillas.

At this stage you can expect to get Tabbies, Selfs and Smokes as well as Shaded or Tipped varieties.

Step 3: F2 Burmilla to an unrelated Burmilla (any variety) This gives 3rd generation, (F3), Burmillas.

Again any variety is possible, including longhaired Burmillas, (Tiffanies), if the F2 cats both carry the longhair gene.

Step 4: F3 Burmilla should be mated back to Burmese.

This gives the 4th generation, (F4), or full Burmillas.

After that, matings should mainly be Burmilla to Burmilla but can at any time, go back to the Burmese, which is an allowable outcross to the full Burmilla.