Burmese cats are known for being loyal, loving, and gorgeous and becoming attached to their pet parents. There are a few color variations of the breed, including the Black Burmese, which is a gorgeous cat in their own right.

The Black Burmese has a glossy coat and a playful attitude. These cats are medium-sized and stocky and look lighter than they are. Like other colors in the Burmese breed, the Black Burmese is known for being friendly and has been compared to dogs because they act much like them.

Breed Overview

If you’re considering adopting a Black Burmese, you’ll want to know the history of these beautiful cats, if organizations have recognized them for show status, and a few unique facts about the cat you might not have known.

The Black Burmese is a color variation of the Burmese cat. Other coat colors include sable, fawn, blue, platinum, champagne, lilac, chocolate, red, cream, and cinnamon. Some variations might be easier to find than others, but they are all lovable, gorgeous cats with the most amazing eyes.

We discuss all you need to know about the Black Burmese cat here!

Black Burmese Cat Breed Characteristics

The Earliest Records of Black Burmese Cat in History

While there are no early records of the Black Burmese, the Burmese cat first made an appearance in 1930, when one made their way from Burma (now Myanmar) to America with a man named Dr. Joseph C. Thompson. The cat’s name was Wong Mau. Eventually, the Burmese were bred with a Siamese cat, which resulted in the many color variations we see today.

Many people thought that Wong Mau was just a Siamese, but that was proven wrong when the cat was bred with a Siamese, and the kittens ended up appearing to be Burmese/Siamese hybrids and pure Siamese. While it isn’t known exactly when the Black Burmese cat appeared, it is one of the most popular coat colors of the breed today.

How the Black Burmese Cat Gained Popularity

The Black Burmese Cat is popular due to their glossy black color. However, the Burmese breed gained popularity because they don’t take up much space and live for quite a long time. In fact, Burmese Cats usually live between 18 and 25 years if they are properly cared for in the right environment.

Another reason for their popularity is that they are incredibly playful, being compared to dogs often because of their canine-like behavior. They are also a laidback breed, which means pet parents don’t have to worry that the cat will destroy their furniture and homes while they are working.

Formal Recognition of Black Burmese Cat

Burmese Cats are recognized by the CFA, ACFA, FIFe, and TICA. However, in 1947, the breed had become extremely popular, and people were putting hybrids in shows instead of the pure Burmese. This caused the CFA to pull their recognition.

The recognition wasn’t restored until 1953, after the Burmese Cat Society of America assured the registries that the behavior would not continue. The Black Burmese is recognized by these organizations, as are all colors of the Burmese breed.

Top 3 Unique Facts About Black Burmese Cat

Now that you know a bit about the history of the Black Burmese cat and the Burmese breed, here are a few unique facts about this gorgeous cat.

1. The Burmese Was Surrounded by Controversy

The recognition for the Burmese was pulled by the CFA in 1947. This led to a rule that only cats born from three generations of a purebred Burmese could be recognized as authentic.

2. The Burmese Has Created Other Popular Breeds

The Burmese cat is responsible for the Bombay cat and Burmilla.

3. Burmese Cats Love to Play

Burmese are more playful than many breeds, and it’s unlikely that you’ll encounter one that doesn’t want to climb all over you. They’ve been compared to dogs because they love to play and become quite attached to their pet parents.

Does a Black Burmese Cat Make a Good Pet?

The Black Burmese makes an excellent cat for a laidback family or anyone looking for a loyal, loving pet. They become quite attached to their pet parents and could suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.

If you have a job that takes you away from home often, the Black Burmese might not be the best breed for you. Also, if you have children and pets, the cat will get along fine with them if they are socialized and trained when they are a kitten.

Conclusion

The Black Burmese Cat is a gorgeous cat with glossy fur. These cats have been around for quite some time now and even temporarily lost their recognition with the CFA because hybrids were entered at cat shows. While the Black Burmese isn’t a breed of their own, they are one of the most popular of the Burmese cat family. You’ll love having one in your home, as they are loyal, loving, playful, and attached to their family.

See also:

• Lilac Burmese Cat: Facts, Origin & History
• Sable Burmese Cat: Facts, Origin & History

Featured Image Credit: izmargad, Shutterstock