Burmese, Asians & Bombay cats
The Burmese cat is a breed of domesticated cats split into two subgroups: the American Burmese and the British Burmese (and are not to be confused with "Sacred Cat of Burma," in respect of which, see Birman). Most modern Burmese are descendants of one female cat called Wong Mau, who was brought from Burma to America in 1930. Most cat registries do not recognise a split between the two groups, but those that do formally refer to the type developed by British cat breeders as the European Burmese.
Originally, Burmese cats were exclusively brown (sable), but years of selective breeding have produced a wide variety of colours. Different associations have different rules about which of these count as Burmese. Burmese cats are known for being sociable and friendly with humans, as well as intelligent. They are very vocal, and often call to their owners. The accepted eye colour for the breed is gold or yellow. The coat is known for being glossy, with a satin-like finish. The Asian is a cat breed similar to the Burmese but in a range of different coat colours and patterns. The breed was developed in Britain, starting with a litter of kittens bred in 1981 by Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg. Asian Shorthairs are classified in four different varieties: the Asian Self (including the Bombay, which is a black Asian Self), the Asian Tabby, the Asian Smoke and the Burmilla (which is a shaded Asian). Longhaired Asians of all varieties are called Tiffanies. Asians are grouped in the foreign section at cat shows.
The Asian Group describes a group of cats developed primarily in England. These cats are of European Burmese type but differ in color, patterns, and coat lengths. There are both shorthairs and semi- longhairs in this group.
The Asian cat must conform in every way to the Burmese Type Standard. A tendency to Siamese type or the cobbiness of the British should be regarded as a fault. In Asians the females are smaller and much daintier than the males. The Bombay is the parlor panther of the cat fancy, the "patent-leather kid with the copper penny eyes." This lovely breed of cat is the result of the dream of a long-time cat breeder and exhibitor, Nikki Horner of Louisville, Kentucky. The Bombay is a man-made breed, a cross between a black American Shorthair and a sable Burmese. The Bombay was accepted by CFA in 1976. Outcrossing to both sable Burmese and black American Shorthairs is still allowed by CFA, although the Bombay is a true breed with its own particular look and characteristics.
While sable kittens may be produced in litters, especially if one of the parents is a sable Burmese, this quintessential black cat is only allowed to be shown by CFA in black. The Bombay is the blackest cat in the cat fancy.
Once the cat is mature, the coat is black to the root, short, tight and extremely shiny. Even the paw pads are black. The Bombay cat has copper penny eyes and a shiny black coat. The combination is absolutely striking.