Breed of shorthaired cat, originally developed by crossing a brown cat from Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) with a Siamese. All modern Burmese cats are descended from a walnut-brown female, Wong Mau, who was brought to the United States in 1930 from Yangon (formerly known as Rangoon), the Myanmar capital. Wong Mau's unusual colour intrigued her owner, Dr. Joseph Thompson, who began a careful breeding programme to investigate her genetic makeup. Dr. Thompson's work confirmed that a distinct gene, dubbed the Burmese gene, produced Wong Mau's unique colouration. Dr. Thompson and other U.S. breeders developed the Burmese as a pedigreed breed.

The Burmese is now recognized in the U.S. in a variety of colours, including sable (brown), champagne (beige), blue, and platinum. In Europe, the Burmese is recognized in additional colours, including lilac and tortoiseshell. The eyes are gold; green eyes are considered to be a fault. The cat is medium-sized, muscular, and surprisingly heavy for its size. Its head is rounded and in profile displays a noticeable break at the nose. 

The Burmese is calm and adaptable, with a quiet voice and an affectionate nature.

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