Description: Asian
The Asian cat, also known as the Asian Group, is not a single breed but a group of cat breeds developed in Asia. Cats within this group resemble the Burmese but display a wider range of colors, patterns, and coat types. Their origins can be traced back to Burmese breeding programs, and they are known for their muscular build, round faces, and affectionate nature. Asians are sociable and vocal, often seeking human interaction and forming strong bonds with their owners. They are intelligent, playful, and retain their kitten-like energy well into adulthood. This breed group includes varieties like the Asian Self, Asian Tabby, Burmilla (a cross between the Chinchilla Persian and the Burmese), and others.
Properties
The Asian cat breed, often confused with the Burmese, originated in the United Kingdom during the 1980s. This breed is a result of a deliberate breeding program aimed at creating a cat that retains much of the Burmese's traits but features a wider range of colors and patterns. The Asian cat is not widely known outside the United Kingdom, but it has a dedicated following among cat enthusiasts who admire its unique qualities and charming personality.
The Asian cat is medium-sized with a muscular build that belies its elegant structure. The head is rounded, and the eyes are large and expressive, contributing to the cat’s overall appealing appearance. Typically, their coats are short, fine, and glossy, making them easy to groom and maintain. The variety in coat color and patterns is one of the defining characteristics of the Asian breed. These range from self (solid colors), smoked, shaded, to the distinctive Burmilla (silver shaded), which originally initiated the breed’s development.
The personality of the Asian cat is similar to that of the Burmese—affectionate, engaging, and playful. They are known for their ability to form strong bonds with their owners and often seek out human company, displaying levels of loyalty and affection that make them excellent companions. They are also known for their vocal nature, often engaging in long conversations with their owners. Their intelligence is high, and they can be trained to perform tricks or learn various commands, making them a delightful addition to any home.
This breed is relatively healthy, but as with many pure breeds, it can be prone to some genetic health issues, including those inherited from its Burmese ancestry such as cranial deformities and hypokalemia. Prospective owners should ensure they obtain their pets from reputable breeders who conduct appropriate health screenings.
Overall, the Asian cat is a beautiful, intelligent, and loving cat, perfect for families and individuals alike who are looking for a pet that truly wants to be part of the family circle. Their charm and good nature make them suitable for a life both in apartments or houses with or without gardens.
Appearance
The term 'Asian' broadly refers to individuals originating from the Asian continent, which is extremely diverse, including East Asians (Chinese, Japanese, Korean), Southeast Asians (Thai, Vietnamese, Filipino), South Asians (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi), and Central Asians (Kazakh, Uzbek, Turkmen). Due to this diversity, the appearance features of Asians can vary significantly.
East Asians are often recognized for their typically lighter skin tones compared to other Asian groups. They commonly have straight, dark brown or black hair and almond-shaped eyes. Eye color predominantly ranges from dark brown to nearly black. A distinctive feature often attributed to East Asians is the epicanthic fold (an additional skin fold on the eyelid), which can give the eye a characteristic narrower and elongated appearance.
Southeast Asians typically have a darker skin tone compared to East Asians. This group represents a wide range of ethnicities and thus exhibits more variation in facial features and skin tones. Hair is usually dark and straight or wavy. The climate and the close proximity to equatorial lines influence the physical characteristics of people from this region, generally giving them a robust ability to handle tropical temperatures.
South Asians from regions like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh generally have a wheatish to dark complexion. They tend to have dark brown to black hair, which can be straight, wavy, or curly. Eye colors are typically brown, ranging from light to very dark shades. South Asians might share some facial features with Middle-Eastern people, reflecting the historical migrations and genetic diversity.
Central Asians exhibit features that mix both East Asian and Caucasian traits, reflecting the historical Silk Road's role as a melting pot of various ethnicities. Their skin tones can range from light to olive, and they may have facial features that are less commonly associated with East Asians, including rounder eyes and less prominence of the epicanthic fold. Hair color can vary significantly, from light to dark, and hair texture can range from straight to curly.
Overall, the physical appearance of individuals labeled as 'Asian' can vary extensively, influenced by genetic heritage, environmental factors, and historical migrations. This diversity is a testament to the rich mosaic of cultures and histories represented across the Asian continent.
History
The Asian cat, also known as the Asian Group, is not just a single breed but a category of domestic cats that includes a variety of breeds such as the Burmese, Bombay, and other similar hybrids. This group of cats originated in the United Kingdom in the late 20th century. The genesis of the Asian cat breed can be closely linked to the work of British breeder Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg.
Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg was engaged in a breeding program aimed at reproducing cats similar to the Burmese with the same sable coat color but, inadvertently, a litter produced a kitten of a different color due to the Burmese’s hidden genes. This occurrence ignited interest in creating a new breed that would encompass these unique varieties. This marked the beginning of the breed known later as the Asian.
The initial unexpected kitten was a result of Baroness von Kirchberg mating a lilac Burmese to a Chinchilla Persian, aiming to create a cat with the Burmese body type but with different coat colors and patterns. The outcome was the first Bombay (black Asian Self) and then other varieties followed, including the Asian Self (solid colors) and Asian Smoke. In 1981, this breed was officially recognized by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF).
Over the years, the Asian breed expanded to include not only the Bombay and Burmese but also other types such as the Tiffanie, which is particularly noted for its semi-long fur. The Asian Tabby was introduced to include those with tabby patterns. Each variety adheres to specific breed standards according to their respective registry organizations, ensuring the maintenance of health, temperament, and physical attributes that are typical of the breed.
Today, the Asian cat is admired for its expressive eyes, short and luscious coat, and its affectionate nature. Breeders continue to respect the heritage of the breed while enhancing its health and characteristics. Enthusiasts of the breed cherish it for its sociable demeanor, intelligence, and playful spirit, which make it an excellent companion in many households.