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Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese Cat Breed Comparison

"Find similarities and differences between Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese" Compare Birman and Burmese. Which is better: Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
 
 
 
Name Birman Burmese Tonkinese
OriginsFrance flagFrance Thailand flagThailand Canada flagCanada
Cat Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group Crossbreed Natural Crossbreed
Popularity Rank192118
Reviews000
User Ratings

Other Names
What other names do they have?
Sacred Birman, Sacred Cat Of Burma Burmese Cat Tonk
Price
Which one is cheaper, Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese cat?
$700 to $1500 $1000 to $1500 $600 to $1000
Cost Of Ownership Moderate Low Moderate
Breed Recognition The International Cat Association (TICA)
Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA) 		No data available The International Cat Association (TICA)
Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)
American Cat Fanciers Association (ACFA)

Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese Size, Appearance and Physical Traits Comparison

Size
Which is bigger, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese cat?
Medium
The medium-sized cats usually weigh 10-15 pounds and are 8-11 inches long from the nose down.
Small
The small-sized cats usually weigh 5-11 pounds and are 7-10 inches long from the nose down.
Small
The small-sized cats usually weigh 5-11 pounds and are 7-10 inches long from the nose down.
Weight
Which is heavier, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
Male: 9 - 15 pounds, Female: 6 - 10 pounds Male: 8 - 12 pounds, Female: 6 - 10 pounds Male: 8 - 12 pounds, Female: 6 - 8 pounds
Bite ForceWeak Bite Strength: Less than or around 10 PSI Weak Bite Strength: Less than or around 10 PSI Weak Bite Strength: Less than or around 10 PSI
Body Type Semi-cobby
This body type is a mix between the cobby and foreign types.
 Semi-cobby
This body type is a mix between the cobby and foreign types.
 Semi-foreign
Tonkinese have a moderate build, more elongated than cobby cats but not as slender as foreign cats.
Ear Shape Medium
Rounded
Wide-set 		Medium
Rounded
Wide-set 		Pointed
Medium
Wide-set
Eye Color Blue Gold
Green 		Blue
Hair Color and Pattern Red
Blue
Seal
Chocolate
Lilac
Cream 		Blue
Sable
Champagne
Platinum 		Mink pattern, which is a combination of Siamese colorpoint and Burmese solid colours; base coat is cream or fawn with coloured points on ears, face, paws, and tail; point colours include natural (sable), champagne, blue, and platinum.
Coat
What is the difference between Birman, Burmese and Tonkinese coats?
Long Hair Short Hair Medium-short
Leg Lenght Medium Medium Medium
Whisker Length Long Medium Medium
Musculature Solid Solid Slender
Head Shape Round Round Round
Toe Count 5 front
4 back 		5 front
4 back 		5 front
4 back
Eye Shape And Orientation Round Oval Oval
Night Vision
Paw Size Medium Medium Medium
Nose Structure Concave Convex Straight
Neck Length Medium Medium Medium
Fur Texture Short
Dense 		Short
Dense 		Silky
Long
Bone Density Medium Medium Medium
Flexibility
Medium
High
High
Bone Structure Sturdy Fine Slender
Fine
Tail Length Plumed Long and Tapered Long and Tapered
Sleep Patterns Calm
More Sleep 		Active
Less Sleep 		Active
Less Sleep

Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese Special Abilities Comparison

Attention Span Moderate, enjoys companionship Long, highly social and focused Long, social and playful
Guarding Instinct Low Low Moderate
Protection Instincts Low Low Moderate
Climbing Ability Moderate Moderate Moderate
Jumping Ability Good Good Good
Swimming Ability Poor Poor Poor
Water Affinity
Rescue Capability Moderate Moderate Poor

Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese Health Comparison

Litter Size 4-6 Kittens 4-6 Kittens 4-6 Kittens
Special Needs Social
Moderate grooming
Gentle 		Social
Affectionate
Moderate grooming 		Affectionate
Vocal
Requires attention
Breeding Requires grooming knowledge, moderate litter size Requires experienced breeders, small litter size Requires grooming knowledge, small to moderate litter size
Dietary Preferences Balanced diet High protein, balanced diet Low fat, high fiber
Solo Time Tolerance Medium High Medium
Noise Sensitivity Moderate Moderate Low
Genetic Diversity Low Low Low
Sensitivity To Changes
Medium sensitivity
High sensitivity
High sensitivity
Food Motivation Low Low Moderate
Feeding Schedule Two to three times a day Twice a day
Morning and Evening 		Three times a day
Morning, Afternoon, and Evening
Maintenance Level Moderate Moderate Low
Exercise Needs Medium High Medium
Life Expectancy
Which will live longer, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
14-15 years 15-16 years 14-16 years
Energy Level
Which is more energetic, Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese cat?
The Birman cat has an average energy level.
The Burmese cat has a higher energy level than other cat breeds.
The Tonkinese cat has a very high energy level.
Hypoallergenic
Which cat is hypoallergenic, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
No
Birman cats don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing an allergic reaction.
Yes
Burmese cats do well with allergy sufferers by causing fewer allergic reactions.
No
Tonkinese cats don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing an allergic reaction.
Common Health Issues
Which cat is healthier, Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese?
High
Birmans tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
High
Burmeses tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
High
Tonkineses tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.
Health Problems Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Corneal Dermoid
Congenital Hypotrichosis 		Diabetes Mellitus
Hypokalemia
Feline Orofacial Pain Syndrome (FOPS) 		Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Upper Respiratory Infections
Asthma
Climate Temperate Temperate Temperate
Cold Tolerance Medium High Medium
Heat Tolerance Medium High Medium
Breeding Difficulty Medium Easy Medium

Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese Characteristics and Personality Comparison

Common Vocalizations Soft and quiet meows Talkative and loud Social and playful meows
Interaction With Other Pets Excellent, very sociable Excellent, very social and affectionate Good, very social and friendly
Facial Expression Gentle and affectionate People-oriented and energetic Social and playful
Tail Behavior Soft tail movements Energetic tail movements Social and playful tail movements
Explorer Instincts Moderate Moderate Moderate
Attention Needs Moderate High High
Protectiveness Low Low Moderate
Territoriality Low Low Moderate
Independence Low Low High
Response To Commands Moderate High High
Adaptability To Indoor Life High High High
Hunting Drive Low High High
Play Style Social
Playful
Gentle 		Active
Social
Playful 		Curious
Social
Playful
Escape Tendencies Low High High
Curiosity Moderate High High
Hunting Skills Low ⬇️ Moderate ⏺️ Moderate ⏺️
Reaction To Strangers Friendly 😊 Friendly 😊 Friendly 😊
Stalking Behavior Low High High
Aggression Level Moderate Moderate Low
Training Difficulty Easy Easy Moderate
Agility Moderate High High
Travel Compatibility High High High
Activity
Moderately Active
Highly Active
Moderately Active
Compatibility With Other Animals Playful
Medium 		High
Friendly
Tolerant 		Playful
Medium
Household Noise Tolerance Medium High Medium
Playfulness
Balanced Playmate. Birman have a balanced playfulness.
Active Adventurer. Burmese are quite playful and enjoy frequent play sessions.
Active Adventurer. Tonkinese are quite playful and enjoy frequent play sessions.
Trainability
Moderately Trainable: Birman cat breeds require more patience, repetition, and reinforcement to learn new commands and behaviors, but can still be trained successfully with consistent efforts.
Average Trainability: Burmese cat breeds are less interested in training and obedience, but can still learn basic commands and routines with enough practice and rewards.
Highly Trainable: Tonkinese cat breeds are the most intelligent, responsive, and eager to learn, making them excellent candidates for training, obedience, and tricks.
Lap Cat
Which cat is lap type, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
Yes
This cat loves to sit on his owner's lap.
Yes
This cat loves to sit on his owner's lap.
Yes
This cat loves to sit on his owner's lap.
Temperament
Which one has a better personality, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
Affectionate Curious Curious
Adaptability
Which cat has a higher adaptability potential?
Birman cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Burmese cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tonkinese cats adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate cat breed: Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese?
High: Birman cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers.
High: Burmese cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers.
High: Tonkinese cats are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate cats toward their handlers.
Child Friendly
Which cat is more kid-friendly, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
The Birman cat is a child-friendly breed.
The Burmese cat is a child-friendly breed.
The Tonkinese cat is a child-friendly breed.
Dog Friendly
Which cat is more dog-friendly, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
Very dog-friendly: Birman owners often find that their cats get along very well with the family dog.
Very dog-friendly: Burmese owners often find that their cats get along very well with the family dog.
Very dog-friendly: Tonkinese owners often find that their cats get along very well with the family dog.
Intelligence
Which cat is smarter, Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese?
Average: the Birman cat has an average level of intelligence.
Outstanding: Burmese is one of the brightest cat breeds.
Outstanding: Tonkinese is one of the brightest cat breeds.
Social Needs
Which cat is more social, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
Above-average: they need more social interaction than average cats.
Lots: this cat breed needs lots of social interaction.
Lots: this cat breed needs lots of social interaction.
Stranger Friendly
Which cat is more stranger friendly, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
Average: this cat breed gets on relatively well with strangers.
Very: this cat breed gets on very well with strange people.
Very: this cat breed gets on very well with strange people.
Vocalization
Which cat is the loudest, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
Low
Low vocalization cats are a category of cats that typically make less noise than other cats.
Frequent
This cat breed meows very often.
Frequent
This cat breed meows very often.

Birman vs Burmese vs Tonkinese Grooming Comparison

Seasonal Shedding Moderate Low Low
Grooming Tools Needed Brush
Comb
Deshedding Tool 		Brush
Nail Clipper
Comb
Deshedding Tool 		Brush
Nail Clipper
Comb
Deshedding Tool
Dental CareModerate High Moderate
Grooming
Which is easier to groom, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
Moderate Maintenance
Grooming your Birman cat is an essential part of caring for their health and well-being.
Low Maintenance
Occasional grooming is recommended to keep the Burmese coat in good condition.
Low Maintenance
Occasional grooming is recommended to keep the Tonkinese coat in good condition.
Shedding
Which cat sheds less, Birman or Burmese or Tonkinese?
Moderate
This cat breed is of average shedding.
Minimal
This cat breed sheds much less than the average.
High
If you're looking for a cat that won't leave a trail of fur everywhere they go, you might want to rethink your choice of pet.

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