Burmilla Cat: Silver Sheen, Green Eyes, and an Unexpected Breed Origin
The Burmilla arose from a Burmese–Chinchilla Persian cross, and modern lines vary in coat length and expression depending on registry and breeding program.
How the Burmilla Came Together
Trait
| Trait | Burmilla | How It Usually Differs | Owner Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Started from an unplanned cross that breeders preserved | More recent breed history than many classic breeds | Expect some registry differences in accepted type |
| Coat | Short to semi-long with silver-tipped appearance | Not the same look as a solid-color Burmese | Coat effect is a major draw and should be paired with good structure |
| Temperament | Affectionate, social, usually moderate rather than extreme | Often less intense than some highly vocal breeds | Good for homes wanting interaction without constant demands |
| Health Focus | General screening plus line-specific awareness | No breed is automatically low-risk | Choose breeders who discuss health beyond beauty |
Burmilla Owner Checklist
| Ask which registry standard the breeder follows | |
| Brush lightly and regularly to maintain coat finish | |
| Provide interactive play and social contact | |
| Monitor weight in less active indoor cats | |
| Ask about family history, longevity, and chronic issues | |
| Assume unusual color alone proves quality breeding | |
| Prioritize appearance over documented health work | |
| Treat the breed as maintenance-free because the coat looks tidy |
The Burmilla is a reminder that accidental origins can still produce a refined breed — but modern owners should evaluate health, type, and temperament with the same rigor as any long-established line.
Rare-looking cats can attract impulse buyers. If the breeder cannot explain the line, health work, and registry standard, walk away.
The Burmilla is a British breed created by an accidental mating between a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese in 1981. The result -- semi-longhaired or shorthaired cats with a silver or golden tipped coat, vivid green eyes, and a Burmese-adjacent personality -- was striking enough that a breeding program was formalized. Burmillas are affectionate, moderately active, social cats that bond closely with family but adapt reasonably well to changes.
The Accidental Creation of a Breed
In 1981, Baroness Miranda Von Kirchberg in the UK kept a lilac Burmese female named Fabergee and a chinchilla Persian male named Jemari Silver Lambkin. The two were housed separately pending the Burmese's spay appointment. Through an unlocked door, an accidental mating occurred. The resulting kittens -- with the Burmese body type but the Chinchilla's silver-tipped coat and Chinchilla-influence green eyes -- were striking enough that the Baroness collaborated with Therese Clarke to develop the breed formally. The Cat Association of Britain recognized the Burmilla in 1990; GCCF recognition followed in 1994. The accidental foundation litter thus became one of the better-documented breed creation stories in cat breeding history.
Appearance
The defining Burmilla feature is the coat: a silver or golden base with darker tipping that gives the coat a 'shaded' or 'shell' effect. The tipping can be black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, or tortoiseshell in pattern, producing numerous color variants. Eyes are vivid green -- the Chinchilla influence is clear. The face shows 'mascara' markings: dark lines around the eyes from the tipped hairs. Body type follows the Burmese: medium-sized, rounded, muscular -- neither as cobby as a British Shorthair nor as fine-boned as an Oriental. Two coat varieties exist: shorthair (plush, close-lying) and semi-longhair (softer, with a plumed tail). Shorthair is more common.
Personality: Burmese Sociability, Moderated
Burmillas inherit the Burmese's strong social orientation -- they want to be near their family, follow people through the house, and participate in household activities. They are not as intensely demanding as Burmese; the Chinchilla Persian influence introduces a degree of independence. They are playful and retain kitten-like curiosity well into adulthood. They generally get along with other cats and with dogs. They adapt reasonably to new situations compared to more anxious breeds. Burmillas do not do well with long periods alone; a companion animal or engaged owner is important for their wellbeing.
Health Considerations
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD): Chinchilla Persians carry PKD1 gene mutations; responsible Burmilla breeders DNA-test breeding stock and breed only from PKD-negative animals. Ask breeders for documented PKD test results. Burmilla-specific genetic health data is limited due to the breed's relative rarity. General feline health maintenance: dental disease is common in all cats; annual dental assessments are recommended. Weight management: medium-sized cats prone to obesity if sedentary. Burmillas are not reported to have species-specific cardiac or metabolic issues at elevated frequency, but cardiac screening (echocardiogram) at breeding age is good practice given the Burmese heritage and HCM prevalence in that breed.
Finding a Burmilla
Burmillas remain uncommon in North America -- more established in the UK, Australia, and parts of Europe. Expect a waitlist. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) and TICA both recognize the breed; their breeder directories are the most reliable starting points. Verify PKD-free testing, socialization practices, and health guarantees before committing to a purchase.
Sources: Breed history from Burmilla Cat Club historical records and GCCF breed standards; PKD inheritance in Chinchilla Persians from Lyons et al. (2004) Human Genetics; Burmese personality research from Serpell (1988) Companion Animal Behaviour; general feline health maintenance from AAFP guidelines.