At a glance the quick version
Medium-sized but feels heavy for its size.
Coat and looks how to spot one
shorthair (semi-longhair in the Tiffanie variety)
Built along Burmese lines: a lithe, muscular body, a gently wedge-shaped head, fairly large rounded ears and big, well-spaced eyes in green, yellow or amber. The short coat is fine, close-lying and has a glossy, satin sheen.21
Personality what they are like
An outgoing, bright and inquisitive cat that likes to be part of whatever its owner is doing and will happily reply when talked to. It usually gets along with other cats, and with dogs and children after a proper introduction.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Energetic and playful; enjoys games and interaction but adapts to different homes when given attention.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Low maintenance: a weekly brush suits the shorthaired varieties.1
Company who they like around
Needs owners who have time for interaction; suits both busy family homes and older people looking for a devoted companion.1
The story where it all began
The group began by accident in 1981 when a Chinchilla Persian male and a lilac Burmese female belonging to Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg produced four kittens. Those kittens became the foundation of the Burmilla, and the programme grew into a family of Burmese-type cats in many colours, patterns and two coat lengths.12
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The Asian group offers more than 400 colour and pattern combinations.1
- 2
The Asian Smoke has a pale silvery undercoat that flashes through the darker top coat as the cat moves.1
- 3
The foundation parents were named Sanquist (the Persian) and Faberge (the Burmese).2
- 4
It is a minority breed: only 160 kittens were registered with the GCCF in 2023.2
Recognised by the official bits
- GCCF
- Championship status for all five varieties (Self incl. Bombay, Smoke, Shaded/Burmilla, Tabby, Tiffanie) by 2003; placed in the Burmese section1
- LOOF
- Recognised2
Popularity 160 kittens registered with GCCF in 20232
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Asian. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Nail trimevery 3 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- Litter scoopevery day
- Litter changeevery week
- PlayDaily playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 11every year
You might also like
Burmese
Burmilla
Bombay
Asian Semi-longhairLike what we are building? Buy us a coffee.
The breed atlas is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show ads. If it helped you, a small tip keeps the research going. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Asian - GCCF gccfcats.orgused for recognition, weight, lifespan, colours, temperament, care, history
- Asian cat - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, body type, LOOF recognition, registrations, facts
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.