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Q. Is the Bombay a black Burmese?
A. No. A Bombay is usually a little larger cat with a slightly longer body than the Burmese. The head of a show quality Bombay should not as extreme (short muzzled) as the Burmese ideal. Ideally the Bombay has the short, close laying, silky coat of the Burmese. The Bombay ears can be a little larger and not so rounded at the tip. Both breeds are surprising heavy for the size. The Bombay gets most of its wonderful purr-sonality from the Burmese. Those who have both breeds, claim that the Bombays are more laid back than their Burmese cousins.
Q. What is the difference between the black American Shorthair and the Bombays?
A. The Bombays get their black color and copper eyes from the Americans. Because of the very plush American coat, that is "hard" or more course than the Bombay's, we breeders usually outcross to the Burmese instead of the Americans. The kittens from an American that is bred to a Bombay or Burmese, will have a full coat. Although these cats have won in the show ring, it takes a lot of effort to properly groom them. Such a cat needs to be bred back to the Burmese to improve the coat. In profile the nose of an American should be a steep slope, whereas the Bombay will have a distinct change in direction between the forehead and nose. Even so, we Bombay breeders still covet a good American Shorthair for our breeding program, so that we can improve in the genetic diversity of a rare breed. In that we also can get improved health, better coat and eye color, and a cat that does not resemble a Burmese too much.
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