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Asian vs Tiffanie
The Tiffanie is the semi-longhaired counterpart of the Asian; the Asian is a livelier short-coat, the Tiffanie a calmer cat that needs combing.
Verdict
These two are close. The Tiffanie is the semi-longhaired counterpart of the Asian, so the Burmese-type character, affection and playfulness are similar. The Asian is sleeker, livelier, a little more vocal and needs almost no grooming. The Tiffanie has a fine, silky semi-long coat that needs combing, a calmer pace and a quieter voice. Both are rare British breeds that dislike being alone, and kittens are hard to find outside the United Kingdom. The one thing that decides it is coat length.
Choose the Asian if
- You want almost no grooming.
- You want a livelier and more vocal cat.
- You like a glossy, satiny short coat.
- You want a sleek, athletic build.
Choose the Tiffanie if
- You like a silky semi-long coat and will comb it.
- You want a calmer and quieter cat.
- You want a gentle, adaptable cat with Burmese character.
- You accept a rare breed with thin availability.
Where they are alike
Both are medium-sized, sociable cats with light to moderate shedding and a good record with children and other pets. Both do best when someone is home much of the day.
Side by side
| Asian | Tiffanie | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Longhair and semi-longhair |
| Origin | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 8-15 lb (3.5-7 kg); males are larger | Roughly 6-12 lb (2.7-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | — | Typically 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Medium |
| Coat | Fine, short, satiny coat with a glossy sheen | Semi-long, fine, silky coat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Not recognised by the CFA |
| How common | Very rare | Rare |
| Affection | 4 | 4 |
| Energy | 4 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 4 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 3 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 3 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 4 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 2 | 2 |
| Trainability | 4 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 4 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The short coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to an Asian. | — |
| Suits | A home that wants a lively, people-focused cat with a sleek coat and little grooming. | A household that wants a gentle, adaptable longhaired cat with the Burmese character and a modest amount of grooming. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who is away much of the day, or who expects to find an Asian easily outside the United Kingdom. | 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 |
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| Health conditions to watch |
| — |
Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026