Tiffanie cat breed: facts, temperament and care
A semi-longhaired British cat of Burmese type, created in the 1980s as the longhair counterpart of the Asian Shorthair and Burmilla.
Also known as Asian Semi-longhair, Asian Longhair, Burmilla Longhair, Tiffanie cat
Quick facts
| Origin | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Size | Medium |
| Typical weight | Roughly 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | Typically 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Medium |
| Coat | Semi-long, fine, silky coat |
| Colours and patterns | Any Burmese or Asian colour and pattern in most registries; some limit it to silver or golden tipped and shaded |
Recognition
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Not recognised by the CFA |
|---|---|
| How common | Rare |
Temperament and care (1 low, 5 high)
| Affection | 4 |
|---|---|
| Energy | 3 |
| Playfulness | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 3 |
| Shedding | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 |
| Trainability | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 4 |
Best suited to
| Suits | A household that wants a gentle, adaptable longhaired cat with the Burmese character and a modest amount of grooming. |
|---|---|
| Less suited to | Anyone who wants a very active or very quiet cat, or who needs a kitten easy to find outside the UK. |
Registries that recognise it
- GCCF
- LOOF
About the Tiffanie
The Tiffanie is a semi-longhaired cat that was developed in the United Kingdom in the 1980s, from the same Burmese and Persian chinchilla background as the Burmilla. It is the longhaired version of the Asian Shorthair, a British group of Burmese-type cats that carry many colours. In some places it is known as the Asian Semi-longhair or the Asian Longhair. Where a registry limits it to silver or golden tipped and shaded colours, it may be registered as a Burmilla Longhair.
The name causes confusion with the Chantilly-Tiffany, also called the Foreign Longhair. That is a different North American breed, descended from chocolate-brown cats of unknown origin, and it is described under Chantilly-Tiffany. The two are unrelated.
The Tiffanie has a semi-foreign build, a medium-sized body, a soft silky coat and a plumed tail. Recognition is uneven: the GCCF and LOOF recognise it, and TICA holds it for registration only.
Temperament and living with one
Descriptions of the Tiffanie lean on its Burmese heritage: a friendly, adaptable cat that likes company, plays often and settles well in a family. Documentation on the breed is thin, so treat these descriptions as a guide and expect individual cats to differ. Give it interactive play, perches and company.
Care: coat, food and play
The fine semi-long coat tangles less than a Persian's. Combing once or twice a week is usually enough, with more attention during the seasonal moult, and under the legs and on the britches. Check ears and teeth and trim nails. Feed a complete diet in measured meals, and keep it lean.
Health
No breed-specific problems are well documented. As the Tiffanie draws on Burmese and Persian lines, ask the breeder about screening for inherited conditions in those breeds, including kidney and heart disease, and ask your vet for a routine care plan. Small gene pools can raise risks, so ask about the pedigree.
Is it right for you?
A Tiffanie suits a family that wants a soft, calm and sociable longhair of medium size. It is rare outside the UK, so expect a wait. For the shorthaired version, look at the Asian or the Burmilla. For a Burmese-type cat with a short coat and a similar nature, see the Burmese.
Profile last reviewed November 7, 2026