What You Don't Know About... European Burmese

Editor’s Note: A gracious thank you to Allene Keating, Mayonaka Cattery, and her pet parents, Al Donn and Dorothy Holle, of Tampa FL … also to Sue Runge, Breckinridge CO, and Karen and Carl Myers, Topeka KS, for sharing their loving experiences and stories!

- Candilee Jackson

The European Burmese has the charm and determination of his Siamese ancestors, and his voice is soft and sweet, belying his tendency to run the household with an iron paw sheathed in velvety fur. The “copper cat” of Burma, now Myanmar, is also a bundle of energy and surprises.

Before Allene Keating became a European Burmese breeder, she had “American” Burmese as pets. She knew they had loving, playful personalities and were happiest when sitting in an owner’s lap. While she was living in Europe, her Burmese died and Allene decided she wanted to become a breeder. She purchased her first European Burmese from Australia, and through this contact, she was introduced to a breeder in the Netherlands. After extensive interviews and educational sessions, Allene was allowed to purchase a male to go with her female. She was on her way to becoming a breeder!

Through the educational sessions, Allene learned of the physical and genetic differences between the Burmese and the European Burmese. However, she didn’t fully realize the personality trait difference until she had returned to the USA again and remarked to a friend who had been a Burmese breeder prior to becoming a European Burmese breeder, “There seems to be something different in their personalities. I can’t put my finger on it.” Her friend laughed and said, “Allene, you take the personality of the Burmese and tweak it up a notch or two or three and you have the personality of the European Burmese.” That was it! Allene believes the personality trait is because of the RED gene. The European Burmese is MORE in your face! Literally! MORE loving! MORE! MORE! MORE! They will not take NO for an answer. Two-year-old humans have nothing on these cats.