Birman
Long
Persian
Long
Choose the Birman if you want…
- a family with children
- a dog or cat that learns quickly
- less hair around the house
- less time spent grooming
- an active companion for long walks and play
Choose the Persian if you want…
- a quieter companion
- a calmer companion
Side by side
| Trait | Birman | Persian |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 3–7 kg (7–15 lb) | 3–5.5 kg (7–12 lb) |
| Height | 20–30 cm (8–12 in) | 25–38 cm (10–15 in) |
| Life span | 12–16 years | 12–17 years |
| Origin | Burma (developed in France) | Persia (Iran) |
| Energy | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Trainability | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Good with children | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Good with other pets | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Suits a flat | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Shedding | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Grooming needs | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Barking / vocal | 2/5 | 1/5 |
Quick answers
Which lives longer, the Birman or the Persian?
Their typical life spans are about the same. Birman: 12–16 years; Persian: 12–17 years.
Is the Birman or the Persian better with children?
The Birman scores higher in our profiles (4 vs 3 out of 5). Always supervise young children with any pet.
Other comparisons
Tailwise is for general information and is reviewed by veterinary professionals, but it is not a substitute for advice from your own vet, who knows your pet. How we check facts