Birman feline is a type of domestic cat with a unique physical appearance. This striking appearance includes white paws which makes them totally different. Also, blue eyes make them look adorable and cute. The main thing about these cats is their coat which are absolutely silky. Feline lovers often comes with a question can a Birman cat have short hair. So its simple answer is that yes it is possible and mostly seen in a breed known as temple cat.
Their appearance made them look totally different among the groups of different fluffy cat breeds. The breed gains popularity just because of its distinctive looks. White paws look like gloves worn by a cat. You can easily recognize this breed after looking at its paws, eyes, and also their coat structure. Cat lovers love to keep such breeds in their homes due to the behavior of the feline.
The article is based on the hair length of the Birman. It includes the factors depending on their hair length and also includes how cross-breeding affects their physical appearance.
Understanding the Birman Cat’s Coat
Birman Coat Characteristics
The most difficult task for the busy owners is to maintain the cat. But Birman does not require such activity. The silky hairs on the body keep them saved from being matted. The silkiness prevents the hairs from being in conflict. Due to the lack of a flat coat, they are saved from being mixed up with hair. That is why the Birman feline does not require as much maintenance. These felines are available in medium as well as in long hairs. Some big associations like CFA and TICA fix the texture and moderate length of the felines as their stamp of authentication.
Why the Long Coat Matters
Nothing is more important than taking the ancestor’s significance alive. Long hairs keep alive the Myth of legends from where they actually belong. Cat Breeders try to maintain these characteristics so that Pure breeds can survive more and more. Long hairs are not only a source of beauty but also a sign of cultural properties from the sacred cats of Burma. The short hair Birman felines are not considered pure breeds because their properties are different from the Sacred cats.
Can Purebred Birman Cats Have Short Hair?
Genetic Basis For Coat Length
The formation of long hair is due to the strong recessive genes from both parents. But for short hair Birman breed, it is necessary to take over the stronger dominant gene. which might be from only one parent or from both the parents? This is the only possible way to get the Birman with short hair. But to keep the key features of the ancestors, breeders breed the long-haired felines with each other. So you can say that it is rare to get the shorthair Birman but it is possible to have them. Just like the other short–hair cat breeds, these felines require less grooming.
Templecats: The Shorthaired Birman Variant
There is one more breed available that is less prominent and less popular among the class of breeds. But have the features of Birman having short hair. Such a breed is called a templecat breed. The rare condition in which the short-haired breed of Birman is obtained is actually a templecat breed. Due to less hair, it requires even less maintenance or grooming than the purebred.
Mixed Breeds and Birman Ancestry
Crossbreeding Possibilities
Crossbreeding does not transfer all the properties to the next generation. It takes some properties from both breeds. For example, if a Birman feline is crossbred with a shorthair domestic feline then the kitten will get some characteristics from the Birman like light blue eyes while some will be obtained from the domestic cats like their behavior. So in such a case, you can not say that the cat is the original Birman.
Identifying Birman Traits in Mixed Breeds
The main key features of Birman to identify in a crossbreed cat is listed below:
- Eye color: Blue/light blue
- Paws: white color(Gloves)
- Pattern: Color-point texture(Face, tail,legs,ears)
- Behavior: caring, social, calm and polite
Grooming For Different Coat Lengths
Long-Haired Birmans
Silky hairs require less grooming needs but if a feline is not groomed for a long time then its hairs can come into conflict so groom them once a week so that they meet less. This keeps their coat looking healthy and neat and increases its beauty.
Short-Haired Birmans/Templecats
Short hair gives the advantage of less grooming and also can be groomed in a very short time due to silk and short hair. It does not take you much time to care for them.You can brush them in a week or two weeks. Easy for the owners you have less time to groom your pets.
FAQs
Can a purebred Birman have short hair?
Not at all, purebred birmans can have medium hair or long hair. They don’t exist in shorthairs. Shorthairs are only possible when crossbreeding proceeds. Or recessive genes inherited to form the templecat cat.
What are Templecats?
A Birman cat with short hair is actually known as a templecat. Not popular like purebred but have the same features and personality as the original one.
How can I recognize Birman traits in short-haired cats?
Look for the stamp of authentication to recognize the Birman traits. Like Glove type paws with the blue color of eyes. A pattern of coat having color points on different parts of the body. DNA testing can also be performed to recognize such breeds.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the answer to the question can a Birman cat have short hair is that despite the Birman cat’s reputation for having a luxuriant, semi-long coat, Birmans with shorter hair can be produced through genetic variances or crossbreeding with short-haired breeds. These cats might not, however, be accepted as original Birmans as they don’t match the breed criteria set up by cat associations. Because of their kind disposition, gorgeous blue eyes, and endearing attitude, Birmans make excellent companions regardless of coat length. Your Birman will make a wonderful and affectionate friend regardless of whether they have a long, flowing coat or a shorter, easier-to-manage one.
