January 2008 Newsletter - United Burmese Cat Fanciers

No one knows how much time will pass before the
genetic marker(s) for the Head Defect are found. It may
be next month, or it may take years. When it is found, I
think the most important use of the test will be to verify
which lines and cats are free of the defect. That is critically
important to the Burmese breed. Should the lethal defect
spread into all lines of Burmese, it would weaken the health
of the breed and might eventually lead to the end of the
Burmese cat.
Even with a genetic test in hand, I fear it may be unlikely
that most breeders who work with contemporary
lines are going to make changes in their breeding programs,
if it turns out that the “contemporary look” invariably carries
with it the lethal gene. They breed their cats because
they prefer that look, and they like the show hall success
they have experienced for decades. Many are also deeply
invested in their contemporary lines, both financially and
over many generations. There may be some who choose to
spay and neuter their lines and start over, and I personally
will do all I can to applaud and support their decision.
A Great Responsibility
Thanks in part to exchanges on the Traditional Burmese
Breeders list, but mostly thanks to the energy and commitment
of its members, a decision was made to revive
the United Burmese Cat Fanciers Club, whose history is
included in this newsletter. Key to the revival of UBCF is
the decision to include all colors and variations of Burmese,
American and European, and to promote healthy Burmese
throughout the world.
All cat breeders deal with health problems, be they
genetic, congenital or environmental, and all breeds of cats
carry health problems to a greater or lesser degree. We can
never solve or breed out all of those health problems without
severely limiting gene pools and thereby endangering
the existence of the breeds we love. However, my personal
feeling is that a key ethical defining line is crossed when
breeders knowingly promote or continue severe and/or lethal
health problems, when other alternatives are available.
Ever since the contemporary Burmese cats and their
descendents first appeared, they have come to dominate the
show ring. But thanks to the hard work and perseverance
of many breeders, traditional line Burmese have become
increasingly competitive, achieving significant regional
and national wins, and I predict they will continue do so in
the future.
But this will only happen if we work together to produce
and promote the healthiest and best Burmese that we
can, mentor new breeders to join us in this effort, and aim
to inform the general public, show judges, and everyone
involved in cat registries around the world, how critically
important their choices are to the future of the Burmese
breed.
I feel proud to participate in the renaissance of UBCF,
with its rich history of accomplishments. The club and
its members also bear a great responsibility. I believe we
may hold the very existence of the Burmese breed in our
hands. As members of UBCF, dedicated to the health and
well being of the Burmese cat, let us stand together and do
all we can to help the Burmese breed flourish now, and for
the future.
CH Burma Pearl’s Petite Princesse
©Chanan Photography
Nancy L. Reeves
Burma Pearl Cattery
UBCF January 2008 Page 3