Bombays... The first Bombay cats were bred in Kentucky USA in 1958 by a lady called  Nikki Horner. She wanted to create a cat that resembled a miniature black panther and crossed a Sable (Brown) Burmese with a black American shorthair. In this country during the early 1980's a few dedicated British Breeders started to develop a British Bombay cat by crossing a Blue Burmese queen, Lochibank Blue Viola, with an unregistered shorthaired tom. This mating produced a black short hair of Burmese type, later registered as Lochibank Princess (72). Princess was mated to a brown Burmese and the work of crossmating to gain pure black cats and securing Burmese type through the generations to produce the breed as we know it today had begun.   Bombay's are solid black cats, though through the breeding programme other colours were born. These colours cannot be called Bombays, (you cannot buy a red Bombay for example - only black cats can have the title "Bombay"), but are known as Asian Self's. These colours are Blue 72a, Chocolate 72b, Lilac 72c, Red 72d, and Cream 72f. In 1990 The Bombay breed gained preliminary recognition by the GCCF. In 1994 they were followed by the full expression Selfs when they gained full recognition. Once breed recognition had been established Bombays and Asian Selfs were shown in Asian Assessment Classes and able to gain Merit Certificates. The breeds success in side classes proved it's viability against more established breeds, many of which held Championship Status. The Bombays and Asian Selfs progressed to Championship status themselves in June 2000.   For more  information on the history of the breed please go to www.bombaybreedclub.org.   Today our Bombay cats continue to be shown and bred as part of the Asian cat group and they are genetically the nearest possible to a "Black Burmese". Bombay cats, breed number 72, are most recognised for their shiny patent leather coats, which are sound to the roots, and their big golden eyes - a striking combination. It is important to maintain the Burmese type in the breed, so Bombay to Burmese as well as Bombay to Bombay breeding is allowed. Bombay cats share many of the characteristics and behaviours of a Burmese. They are lap loving, heat seeking, affectionate and just love attention. They make ideal family pets, they are intelligent, playful, outgoing, friendly and loyal, they have an absolutely wonderful temperament. The short tight coat of the Bombay requires little or no grooming, to stay in tiptop condition. No need to groom daily although petting your cat is always a joy. These magnificent cats, which resemble the black leopards of India, would make a lovely companion to anyone

Asians An Asian cat is a cat of Burmese type and temperament, but not of Burmese colour or pattern.   The Asian Breed was first established in 1981 when an accidental mating between a male Chinchilla Persian, Jemari Sanquist, and a female lilac European Burmese, Bambino Lilac Faberge, produced 4 black Shaded Silver shorthaired kittens of good Burmese type.   Their breeder, Miranda von Kirchberg, prefix Astahazy, had the prudence to understand that these kittens could be the foundation for a new and exciting breed group. At that time there was a gap in the Cat Fancy, these kittens filled that void and were the Silver and Tabby equivalents of the Burmese.   The new breed was to be known as the Burmilla. From that very first litter Astahazy Galatea became a pioneer as Miranda embarked on an experimental breeding programme.   Through this breeding programme to produce Burmillas it became clear that there was a whole variety of patterns and colours within the breed. Seeking the advice of many leading Burmese breeders at that time and with their support the Asian group of cats was born. It was decided to develop all five varieties and now many years on from the blissful mistake we recognise the following groups within the Asian breed   Asian Self (which includes the Bombay), Burmilla Asian Smoke Asian Tabby Tiffanies (Semi Long Hair).    Burmillas and tabbies can have either a silver or standard base to their coat. In the silver In the undercoat should be pure white and the standard undercoat should be anything from a pale ivory to a warm beige. In all varieties there are an exciting number of colours varying from pale lilac to black Sadly Miranda died in 1997 just as her inspired dream was on the verge of reality, the Burmilla’s were on the threshold of competing for the first time at Championship status in GCCF, almost 16 years after the birth of the first kittens.   Joyce Dell was a Burmese breeder who became interested in Asians. Joyce bred the first Asian Grand Champion and UK Grand Champion, a silver Burmilla - UK Gr Ch Kupro Lilac Mayqueen owned by Karen Robinson.   The first Imperial Grand Champion Burmilla in the UK was Imperial Grand Champion Honpuss Elanay Tukana, bred by Sandra Woodley, another Burmese breeder who began breeding Asians alongside the Burmese breed.   The quality of the Asian breeding programme has led to resounding success for the breed on the show bench, with many Asians gaining Best in Show.   The Asian cats are inquisitive, intelligent, have a great sense of fun and an outgoing nature, and they are ideal as family pets. Gentle, loyal and devoted they are bred for their exceptionally good temperament.

Burmese Burmese cats love people, true lap loving companions quick to learn and extremely loyal. They are active and intelligent - a kitten that never grows up! The breed originated in the 1930’s when a “little brown cat” arrived in America from Burma.    The breed came across to the UK in 1949 and since then has grown in popularity.    The ranges of colours now recognised are Brown, Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Red and Cream. Torties can be Brown, Blue Chocolate or Lilac.