Felis catus
Asian Self
The Asian Self is the solid-colour (self) division of the GCCF's Asian Group, a family of Burmese-derived breeds developed in the United Kingdom from the 1980s. The GCCF recognized the Asian Group collectively in the 1990s. The standard describes a medium-sized, muscular, Burmese-type cat in solid self colours including the distinctive Asian Self black (Bombay type).
Quick facts
- Origin country
- United Kingdom
- Origin period
- Developed from Burmese crosses in the UK from the 1980s; GCCF recognition 1990s
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Black (Bombay type), Blue, Chocolate, Lilac, Red, Cream, Caramel, All Burmese-derived self colours
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 12–16 years
- Recognition
- GCCF 1995
Origin
The Asian Self was developed within the UK's Asian Group breeding programme that originated with 1981 Burmese × Chinchilla crosses. Selectively breeding for solid-colour expressions produced cats with the Burmese conformation but in fully self-coloured coats. The black Asian Self is functionally identical in appearance to the American Bombay but is bred through different foundation stock and is registered as a separate breed division within the GCCF's Asian Group.
Standard
The GCCF standard for the Asian Self describes a medium-sized, muscular cat with the Burmese type: a rounded head, large eyes (typically golden to yellow in most colours; green in some caramel expressions), medium ears, and a compact, well-muscled body. The coat is short, fine, glossy, and close-lying in a solid self colour with no tabby ghost markings or tipping. The black Asian Self should have a jet-black coat with no rusting.
Asian Group and the 'British Bombay'
The Asian Self (black) is sometimes informally called the 'British Bombay' because of its visual similarity to the American Bombay. However, the two are genetically and historically distinct: the American Bombay was developed in the US from Burmese × American Shorthair crosses in the 1950s and recognized by CFA in 1976; the Asian Self emerged from UK Burmese × Chinchilla crosses in the 1980s and is recognized as a division of the GCCF's Asian Group. They are not the same breed.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-27
- gccf-registry — accessed 2026-05-27
Frequently asked questions
Is the Asian Self the same as the American Bombay?
The Asian Self (black) and the American Bombay are visually very similar — both are solid black Burmese-type cats. However, they are separate breeds with different origins. The American Bombay was developed in the US from Burmese × American Shorthair crosses in the 1950s and is recognized by CFA. The Asian Self (black) emerged from UK Burmese × Chinchilla crosses and is recognized by the GCCF as a division of the Asian Group.
Which Asian Group divisions does the GCCF recognize?
The GCCF's Asian Group includes the Burmilla (shaded/tipped), Asian Smoke, Asian Tabby, Asian Self, and the longhaired Tiffanie. All share the Burmese conformation with different coat patterns and lengths.
What colours are accepted in the Asian Self?
The GCCF accepts all Burmese-derived self colours in the Asian Self: black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, and the dilute modifier permutations including caramel. The full range of Burmese base colours applies. Tortoiseshell patterns are considered Asian Smoke or Asian Tabby territory rather than Asian Self.
