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Burmese vs Russian Blue
The Burmese is a devoted, talkative, playful cat that wants you home; the Russian Blue is a quiet, reserved cat that copes better with time alone.
Verdict
These two shorthairs differ on voice, play and company. The Burmese rates 5 for affection and play, 4 for voice and 1 for independence, so it wants someone home and scores 5 for children. The Russian Blue rates 1 for voice and 4 for independence, suits a quiet routine, and can be reserved with visitors. Both need little grooming. Choose the Burmese for a loving, lively family cat and the Russian Blue for a calm household or a single owner who wants a gentle, loyal cat.
Choose the Burmese if
- Your household has children, since it scores 5 against 3.
- You are home a lot and want a playful, talkative cat.
- You want a very short glossy coat that needs almost no grooming.
- You want a cat that stays kittenish for years.
Choose the Russian Blue if
- You want a quiet, devoted, clever cat, with intelligence at 5.
- You are out for part of the day, since independence is 4.
- You keep a regular routine in a calm home.
- You live in a small flat, with apartment living at 5 against 4.
Where they are alike
Both cats are short-coated, rate 2 for grooming or lower, and are uncommon breeds. Each is affectionate and bonds closely with its people.
Side by side
| Burmese | Russian Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | Burma (Myanmar), developed in the United States and Britain | Arkhangelsk region, Russia |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 9-13 lb (4-6 kg); males are larger | About 5-12 lb (2.3-5.4 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | 12-16 years | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Very short, fine, glossy, satin-like coat | Short, dense, plush double coat; the guard hairs have silver tips |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | Championship breed since 1936 | — |
| How common | Uncommon | Uncommon |
| Affection | 5 | 4 |
| Energy | 4 | 3 |
| Playfulness | 5 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 4 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 1 | 2 |
| Shedding | 2 | 3 |
| Good with children | 5 | 3 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 3 |
| Happy alone | 1 | 4 |
| Trainability | 4 | 5 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The very short coat sheds lightly, but people who react to cats may still react to a Burmese. | — |
| Suits | An owner who is home a lot and wants a loving, playful cat that stays kittenish for years. | A quiet household or a single person who wants a gentle, loyal, clever cat and keeps to a regular routine. |
| Less suited to | Anyone who is away for long hours, or who wants a quiet, independent cat. | A noisy house with many visitors, or anyone who wants a cat that greets every guest. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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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