Felis catus
Bombay UK
Featured photobombay-uk.jpgThe Bombay UK (or Asian Black Self) is a jet-black cat of Burmese type developed in the United Kingdom and registered by GCCF as a variety within the Asian breed group. Unlike the American Bombay developed by Nikki Horner in the United States from Burmese-American Shorthair crosses, the UK Bombay is a product of the British Asian group program derived from the 1981 Burmilla foundation. Both are solid-black Burmese-type cats, but they have separate breed histories and are registered under different names by different registries.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- United Kingdom
- Origin period
- Developed from Asian group program 1980s-1990s; GCCF Asian group recognition
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Jet black (only accepted color for Bombay UK variety)
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 12-16 years
- Recognition
- GCCF 1994
Origin
The UK Bombay is not a separately developed breed but rather a specific color within GCCF's Asian group (Asian Self Black). It emerged from the Burmilla breeding program established in the UK in 1981. As the Asian program developed self-colored kittens in colors beyond the traditional Burmese range, jet-black Asian kittens appeared and were registered within the Asian Self class. The informal name 'Bombay' was applied by UK breeders in reference to the American Bombay's similar appearance, although the two are bred from entirely different programs.
UK vs American Bombay
The American Bombay was created by Nikki Horner in Kentucky from 1958 onward through crosses of sable Burmese with black American Shorthairs, seeking a cat that resembled a miniature black panther. CFA recognized it in 1976. The UK Bombay (Asian Black Self) is a product of the British Asian group program developed from Burmese-Chinchilla Persian crosses starting in 1981. Both have jet-black, close-lying, patent-leather-quality coats and Burmese-type conformations with golden or copper eyes. Their different origins mean they carry different genes and have different physical standards in fine detail.
Appearance
The UK Bombay (Asian Black Self) is a medium-sized, muscular, Burmese-type cat with a short, close-lying, jet-black coat that has an exceptional glossy, patent-leather sheen. The head is slightly rounded with a blunt wedge; the eyes are large and rounded, ideally vivid golden or copper in color. The coat must be a solid, even black throughout with no white hairs, tabby ghosting, or rusting. The body is firm and compact in the Burmese tradition. Nose leather and paw pads are black.
Sources & further reading (2)
- gccf-registry — accessed 2026-05-07
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-07
Frequently asked questions
How does the UK Bombay differ from the American Bombay?
Both the UK Bombay (Asian Black Self) and American Bombay are jet-black Burmese-type cats, but they were independently developed. The UK Bombay comes from the GCCF Asian group program founded in 1981; the American Bombay was created by Nikki Horner in Kentucky from 1958 onward. They are registered under different names by different registries and have separate breed standards, though their visual appearance is very similar.
Are the eyes always copper in the UK Bombay?
The GCCF Asian group standard accepts a range of eye colors from golden-yellow to copper, with warm, vivid color preferred. The American Bombay standard (CFA) specifically requires gold to copper eyes. Both standards emphasize the warm, deep eye color contrasting with the black coat as a key aesthetic feature of the breed.
Is the UK Bombay always solid black?
Within GCCF's Asian group classification, the Bombay designation refers specifically to the Asian Self Black variety. To be registered and shown as a UK Bombay, the cat must be a solid, even jet black throughout. Other self colors in the Asian group (Asian Self Blue, Asian Self Chocolate, etc.) are registered as their respective color variants, not as Bombay.
