The Tiffanie is the long-haired counterpart to the Asian Group, originating from the same 1981 Burmese x Persian cross by Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg. Long-haired offspring of Burmilla and Asian breedings carry the recessive longhair gene introduced through the chinchilla Persian foundation. GCCF recognized the Tiffanie in 1991 as a separate breed. The standard describes a medium-sized, semi-foreign cat with the Burmese body type and a silky semi-long coat. CFA, TICA, and FIFe do not maintain separate Tiffanie registers.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- United Kingdom
- Origin period
- Long-haired counterpart to the Asian Group; GCCF recognition 1991
- Coat type
- Long
- Coat colors
- All Asian Group colours and patterns: solid, smoke, tabby, silver-tipped (Burmilla pattern)
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 12-18 years
- Recognition
- GCCF 1991
Origin
The Tiffanie originated from the same 1981 Burmese x Persian cross by Baroness Miranda von Kirchberg that produced the Burmilla and the broader Asian Group. The chinchilla Persian foundation cat Sanquist contributed the recessive longhair gene (l), which segregated through subsequent generations to produce long-haired offspring with the Burmese body type. These long-haired cats were initially registered as Asian variants before being recognized as a separate breed.
Recognition
The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy recognized the Tiffanie as a separate breed in 1991 under that name. CFA, TICA, and FIFe do not maintain separate Tiffanie registers. Some long-haired Asian-type cats are registered internationally under the Burmilla Longhair name. The breed name has caused historical confusion with the unrelated North American Chantilly-Tiffany breed, which has separate origin and lineage.
Standard
The GCCF standard describes a medium-sized, well-muscled, semi-foreign cat with the Burmese body type and a silky semi-long coat. The head is a moderate wedge with rounded contours; the eyes are almond-shaped. The coat is medium-long, fine, and silky with a slight ruff at the neck. All Asian Group colours and patterns are recognized: solid (Self), smoke, tabby, and silver-tipped (Burmilla pattern). The Tiffanie standard parallels the Asian Group standard except for coat length.
Sources & further reading (3)
- gccf-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
How does the Tiffanie differ from the Chantilly-Tiffany?
The Tiffanie and the Chantilly-Tiffany are unrelated breeds with separate origins. The Tiffanie is a British breed developed by Baroness von Kirchberg from 1981 Burmese x Persian crosses. The Chantilly-Tiffany is a North American breed first registered in New York in 1967 with unknown foundation stock. GCCF recognizes only the Tiffanie; ACFA and CCA recognize the Chantilly-Tiffany.
When was the Tiffanie recognized?
GCCF recognized the Tiffanie in 1991. CFA, TICA, and FIFe do not maintain separate Tiffanie registers. Some long-haired Asian-type cats are registered internationally under the Burmilla Longhair name.
Is the Tiffanie a long-haired Burmilla?
The Tiffanie includes the long-haired equivalent of the Burmilla as one of its recognized varieties (the silver-tipped pattern). The Tiffanie also includes long-haired equivalents of the Asian Self, Asian Smoke, and Asian Tabby varieties. In international registries that don't recognize the Tiffanie name, all of these long-haired cats are sometimes called Burmilla Longhair.
