Burmilla & the Asian Group
The Burmilla began with a famous accidental mating between a Burmese and a Chinchilla Persian, then expanded into a wider family of related Asian cats in British breeding programs.
From Accident to Cat Group
Subtype
| Subtype | Coat/Look | Core Influence | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burmilla | Silver shaded or tipped | Burmese + Chinchilla Persian | Best-known branch |
| Asian Self | Solid colors | Same breeding family | Burmese style without silver shading |
| Asian Smoke | Smoke undercoat effect | Asian family | Color reveals with movement |
| Tiffanie/Asian Longhair | Semi-long coat version | Asian family | Longer coat expression |
Why These Breeds Matter
| Understand that 'Asian' can mean a whole British cat-group, not a geographic origin label | |
| Expect Burmillas to balance Burmese sociability with a somewhat softer expression | |
| Ask breeders which branch of the Asian group they produce | |
| Watch coat quality and eye expression, not just color novelty | |
| Expect rarity outside UK-centered breeding circles | |
| Assume Burmilla and Burmese are interchangeable | |
| Treat 'Asian' as one single fixed look | |
| Ignore genetic diversity just because the origin story is charming |
The Burmilla's origin is one of the great cat-breed accidents: a mating that was never meant to happen but produced kittens people wanted to preserve. The later Asian group is what happens when a breeding experiment turns into a broader family tree.
Because the terminology is British and family-based, these cats can confuse buyers outside the UK. A breeder should be able to explain whether they're producing Burmillas specifically or other Asian-group variants.
The Burmilla originated in 1981 from an accidental cross between a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese in England, producing cats with silver-tipped or shaded coats, green eyes, and the easygoing Burmese temperament combined with the Chinchilla's refined appearance. They are the best-known members of the Asian cat group, which includes Asian tabbies, Asian selfs (solid-colored), the Bombay (solid black), and the Tiffanie (semi-longhaired). All share Burmese temperament traits: social, vocal (less so than Siamese), and strongly people-oriented.
Burmilla Appearance and Coat
Burmillas are medium-sized (6--12 pounds) with the rounded Burmese body type and a coat that comes in two expressions: shaded (heavier color overlay) and tipped (color only at the very tip of each hair). The base coat is silver or golden; overlay colors include black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, and tortoiseshell. The kohl-like dark outline around the eyes gives them a naturally 'made-up' appearance. Short to semi-longhaired variants exist.
Temperament
Burmillas inherit Burmese sociability with some tempering from the Chinchilla Persian's slightly more reserved quality. They are less demanding than pure Burmese but still seek regular human interaction. They do well in multi-pet households and adapt to children. Unlike the Chinchilla Persian, they are active and playful well into adulthood. They follow their people around the home and vocalize with soft, musical voices rather than the louder Siamese-style.
Asian Group Varieties
The Asian group includes all the genetic combinations possible when crossing Burmese with Chinchilla Persians: Asian Tabby (all four tabby patterns in shaded/tipped expression), Asian Self (solid colors including the jet-black Bombay variant), Asian Smoke (silver undercoat with solid-colored outer layer), and the Tiffanie (semi-longhaired Asian). In the US, 'Asian' cats are relatively uncommon compared to the UK, where the Asian Cat Association maintains standards. They are recognized by GCCF in the UK but have limited recognition in American registries.
Health
Burmillas inherit the Burmese predisposition to Burmese head defect (cranial deformity causing kitten mortality in homozygous Burmese-typed individuals) and elevated HCM risk from the Burmese side. Reputable breeders aware of these risks breed away from the craniofacial gene concentration and health-test for HCM. The Chinchilla Persian contribution has not added significant new health concerns, though polycystic kidney disease testing (inherited via Persian lineage) should be verified in breeding cats.
Burmilla breed history from the Burmilla Cat Club UK and GCCF breed standard documentation. Asian group genetics from feline genetics resources (Lyons, 2010). HCM and Burmese head defect from Malik et al. (1999) and Noden (1984).