The Sacred Birman is genetically defined by obligate colourpoint homozygosity (cs/cs) combined with the breed-exclusive white-gloving gene (Sb, a dominant allele producing the characteristic white mittens and laces), which is distinct from the standard white-spotting (S) locus bicolor alleles. Valid FIFe EMS codes for Birman are bounded to seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, and tortie-point variants, all expressed with the gloving pattern — registries do not recognize non-gloved Birmans as conforming to standard. Feline genetics programs for SBI must maintain the Sb allele while managing B-locus recessives (chocolate, b) and the dilution locus (d) to predict all color-point combinations using an EMS color calculator.
Common recessive carriers
All Birmans are cs/cs (colourpoint homozygous). Chocolate (b) is a well-established recessive in Birman lines; heterozygous carriers (Bb) appear seal-pointed. Dilution (d) carriers (Dd) appear non-dilute. Lilac-point Birmans (b/b + d/d + cs/cs) are produced only from appropriately matched carrier pairs. The white-gloving gene (Sb) is maintained as Sb/+ in most individuals; Sb/Sb homozygotes may show excessive white.
Breed-specific restrictions
All Birmans must be cs/cs and must carry the gloving gene (Sb). Non-pointed Birmans and non-gloved pointed Birmans are disqualifying faults. Cinnamon (bl) is not recognized in the Birman standard. Ticked tabby (25) is not accepted. The gloving pattern must be symmetrical and must not extend above the ankle/wrist joints — this is a show standard requirement enforced at the phenotypic level.
Pattern quirks
Tabby-point (lynx-point, 21 series) overlaid on any base point color is fully accepted. The gloving pattern (Sb locus) is not reflected in EMS notation — all SBI are assumed to carry it by standard. Tortie-point Birmans are hemizygous (O/o) females at the O locus. Tabby overlay in tortie-points produces torbie-point variants, coded as combined EMS entries.
SBI n 33Seal Colourpoint (Seal-Point Birman)SBI a 33Blue ColourpointSBI b 33Chocolate ColourpointSBI c 33Lilac ColourpointSBI f 33Seal Tortie ColourpointSBI n 21 33Seal Tabby-Point (Seal Lynx-Point)Free online tool to predict kitten coat colors based on Mendelian genetics. Select the breed and appearance of sire and dam to see color probabilities.
Enter the appearance of both parents to calculate color predictions.