Welcome to BirKist Birmans, a small CFA registered cattery located in south central Pennsylvania.

We have been breeding Birmans since 2006, focusing on temperament and good health. Our kittens receive lots of love and attention as we raise them so that they are well socialized and make wonderful companions. We are committed to providing a healthy environment with proper veterinary care. Each kitten is seen by our vet at 8, 12 and 16 weeks for vaccination and examination.

CH D’Elo’s Bit-A-Honey of BirKist, DM

Honey is our foundation queen. She is enjoying retirement living with Carmella DeBiasi in Moosic, PA where she is treated like royalty. Special thanks to Diane Coppola for breeding this special girl, allowing us to have her for our breeding program and for becoming a dear friend and mentor. Honey is the mother of GC, RW BirKist’s Diesel Doodle, DM; GP, RW BirKist’s Fantom-of-the-Opurra; GC, GP, RW BirKist French Vanilla Fudge Swirl, GC BirKist’s Fancy Pants and Paws and CH, GP BirKist Desire-of-My-Heart of D’Elo.

The initials DM following Honey’s name stand for Distinguished Merit, the most prestigious title CFA awards. It is earned when a female produces 5 offspring that achieve the title of GC (Grand Champion) or GP (Grand Premier) or a male produces 15 offspring that achieve the title of GC or GP.

 

The Birman is considered to be a medium size breed with a long stocky body. It is a long hair breed but does not require the maintenance of a Persian or Himalayan as the Birman coat rarely mats. The ideal Birman has almost round sapphire blue eyes and symmetrical white gloving on all 4 paws with white laces forming an inverted V on the hocks of their hind legs. It has a strong face with heavy jaws, full chin and a Roman nose which is slightly convex in appearance. It is an intelligent and affectionate breed whose origin is shrouded in mystery, originating in Burma and coming to the United States via France. CFA (The Cat Fanciers’ Association) first recognized the Birman breed for competition in 1967. Birmans today come in a wide variety of point colors and patterns, including solid, lynx (tabby) and party-color.

Birmans today like to spend time with their human family members often greeting them at the door and sitting beside them or in their laps while they read or spend time on the computer. They are inquisitive often ‘helping’ with whatever their owners are doing. Birmans love to play with a variety of toys even as adults and often come running when they hear the rustle of a favorite toy. They are light on their feet and sometimes appear out of nowhere at their owner’s feet. In short, they are simply delightful in every way.

Birman breeders in the United States have a tradition of naming their Birmans based on the letter of the alphabet designated for the year. For example kittens born in 2013 will have names starting with the letter K. National Birman Fanciers, a CFA national breed club, awards the Circle Award to Birman breeders who have bred around the alphabet, which means they have had at least one litter a year for 26 consecutive years. The award is presented at the NBF – NAR (North Atlantic Region) cat show held in October each year.