Australian Tiffanie Cat Breed Review

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AUSTRALIAN TIFFANIE

Once upon a time in a far flung part of the world there was a handsome Chinchilla Prince and a lively Burmese Princess … in love but forever separated by a forbidding door. One day the Queen left the door ajar … and the rest is history. Soon little Burmillas spread all across the lands … beautiful little creatures with amazing temperaments, black mascara eye lining and lovely short manageable coats of silver - tipped with subtle shades of colour. Lo and behold, there appeared a little semi-longhaired version … all fluffy and gorgeous … and the people rejoiced … a new breed was born … the Australian Tiffanie.

Well, that's the story of how the Australian Tiffanie came in to being. Soon, a group of Burmilla breeders in Sydney decided that this new little creature was too precious to ignore - so they worked out a breeding program and applied for permission to develop a separate semi-longhair breed calling it the Australian Tiffanie. Within a year many new breeders came on board and the Silvertails Cat Club was formed. As of today this Club has 15 registered breeders working together and united in their aims of providing kittens of the highest caliber in terms of health, temperament and beauty.

The Australian Tiffanie
For those who love the Chinchilla look (but don't want the high maintenance) … and for those who love the Burmese (but want a more mellow cat that's happy to live indoors) … the Australian Tiffanie is perfect.

Their 'Look'
They probably resemble most the old style Chinchilla with a slightly longer nose but with the same sweet expression. The eyes have it! With incredible apple green eyes and black mascara - type lining … they prompt the question "How long does it take for her to put on her makeup?" Their luxurious silver coat is tipped or shaded in an ethereal mantle of black, blue, brown, chocolate and lilac and this is complemented by a magnificent plumed tail.

Temperament
In each litter we find kittens that express the temperament (more or less) from both sides of their ancestry … some are more laid back like the Chinchilla and some are more outgoing and demanding - like the Burmese. Generally though they represent the middle ground. It's wise to speak with the breeder and the right kitten will be selected for any given situation.

For families, apartment dwellers, young couples and single people … this is the ideal cat. Like their Persian ancestors they are quite content to sit on a bed and contemplate their beauty in the mirror … but then their Burmese ancestry surfaces and they will bound around non-stop playing soccer with a ping pong ball. Highly intelligent, they seem to know when the children are coming home from school … or the imminent arrival of their carer … and it's quite usual to find them sitting at the door waiting for a cuddle or hoping for a play. Tina Teasdale, breeder and Secretary of the Silvertails, has found them incredibly easy to clicker train - and other members have succeeded in teaching them to walk on a lead.

Their voice is soft and musical but they will always let you know what they want … but in a sweet way. As with all kittens they will do the naughty things like trying to cover the house in toilet tissue … or using Mum's best leather lounge to sharpen their little claws. This is where we need to discipline - saying firmly "NO" … but at the same time having a scratching post and lots of toys for distraction - especially whilst you're at work or the kids are at school. As adults they're quite happy at home alone but I always leave the TV running as a companion to a single cat.

Sibling kittens are the ideal choice if you have the resources since they will be bonded for life, have constant companionship (ideal for working owners) and give you hours of enjoyment watching their antics - especially when they're little kittens.

Coat and Maintenance
The coat of the kittens being produced from the first generation onwards has shown itself to be low maintenance. This means that they need to be groomed regularly - but not necessarily every day. Grooming any kitten or cat builds up a close bond, saves loss of hair on the furniture - and helps prevent hair balls. Washing isn't necessary if you keep your cat indoors (highly desirable) and groom regularly.

With a comb through every three or four days the coat will stay beautiful and silky. If not groomed it will build up with excess coat … but is unlikely to matt like the Persian coat. Clipping the claws, wiping the eyes and ears completes the beauty treatment. Exquisite!

How to adopt one
The Australian Tiffanie can only be adopted through a breeder registered with the Silvertails Cat Club of Australasia (visit our web site).The Silvertails breeders are committed to providing a kitten which is desexed, microchipped, registered, has had two vaccinations and comes with a comprehensive health warranty. All breeders within the Silvertails Cat Club have had their breeding stock screened for all the nasties such as Leukaemia and Aids, Polycystic Kidney Disease and other inherited diseases. We give a Silvertails written health guarantee with every adopted kitten … along with a kitten pack and follow up advice if needed.

We have an active e-list, host stalls at cat shows and generally are totally committed to promoting this amazing new breed. Besides exhibiting our cats at shows, we have a theatre party group and regularly go for weekends away in the country .

First published in 2003 Kittens & Cats Annual, Australia
www.arabianhorse.com.au

Testimonials
"I think the Australian Tiffanie is a "No fuss - personality plus kitten/cat" easy to care for … no-knotting luxurious coat, beautiful in temperament and beautiful to look at. They are everything warm and cuddly, trusting, loving, alert, easy to train, playful, funny, entertaining … they are just so sweet. A sheer pleasure, a delight to be owned by. The only thing better than one Australian Tiffanie is to have TWO Australian Tiffanies … or more!"
Maria Lister - Austiff breeder

"The best features of the breed?? Their beauty, strength, curiosity, intelligence, 'photographability' and the colour of those eyes … they look straight inside you and hit you directly in the heart - you are powerless to resist!"
Jaclyn Power - Austiff pet owner

From Hawaii:
"My little Meli is so wonderful and continues to be quite a character! Can't hardly get myself out of the house any more … just don't want to be apart from him for a minute. He has such a strong life force … reminds me of the Eveready battery.. He just keeps going and going and going … of course now and again he crashes … then we all rest. We have toys all over the house and he plays with them all. Every morning I awake to find the most wonderful gift - Meli! I couldn't love a cat more, what a joy he brings to my life. Robin Holiday Welsh -
Hawaiian pet Austiff owner.



Colleen Walters
President Silvertails Cat Club of Australasia
Web: www.silvertails.com.au

Last Update: 25/03/07 07:50