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Birman
The "Sacred Cat of Burma" — a colour-pointed longhair with deep blue eyes and pure white "gloves" on every paw.
How to spot it
A medium-to-large cat 4–6 kg with a silky, semi-long coat that resists matting, a pale body with darker points, deep blue eyes and — its signature — four white "gloved" feet. It has a single coat with no woolly undercoat.
Personality
Gentle, affectionate and quietly companionable — it follows its people about and enjoys company, but is calmer and less vocal than a Siamese. Good with children and other pets.
Grooming & coat care
Because it has little undercoat, the coat mats less than a Persian's; a comb two or three times a week keeps it silky.
Health & lifespan
Usually 12–16 years. Watch for HCM and some kidney and blood conditions; buy from breeders who screen.
Living with one in India
The single, undercoat-free coat copes with heat a little better than a Persian's, but a Birman is still a longhaired indoor cat that needs a cool spot in summer and regular combing through humid months.
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