Ask a dozen different breeders just what they prefer for a "look" in the Birman, and it's entirely possible that you'll get a dozen different answers. The "look" means different things to different people. There are areas of the world in which the Birman has taken on a particular appearance,and it can differ from other countries.

My foundation queen had superb type and pretty decent markings. Over her breeding career she produced a number of champion show cats, all carrying the same nice body confirmation. I kept one of her first daughters for breeding, and another daughter sired by a lilacpoint. After much looking around at what other people were breeding and showing, I decided my preference was for a return to the "original" style Birman, a good-sized, shorter-legged, stocky bodied cat, with the luxurious coat, and of course, those incredible blue eyes. Correct balance of the body was also important, as was a strong chin, broader face,and especially a good width between the eyes, and correctly placed ears. I had a good start on this path with what I had kept from my first girl.

In March of 1997 I acquired Picard, Jean-Luc of Carraig, a CFA champion sealpoint stud.

The progeny of Luc and Tosca, the first daughter of my foundation queen, more than matched what I wanted to see in my Birmans. Their first litter produced Supreme Ch. Carraig Kandaha Unteag, now one of the top Birmans in South Africa. After that, came Ch. Carraig's Vagnerian Phat Lady, Best Allbreed Kitten, ACFA's Eastern Canada Region, for 1998-99.

In 1998 our cattery grew with the addition of Ch. Nirmanakaya's Uzykiah of Carraig, a blue carrying chocolate stud, who went on to his ACFA grand championship, and sired Ch. Carraig's Vagnerian Phat Lady, Best Allbreed Kitten 1998-1999, ACFA-EC; Ch. Carraig's Westminster Abby, and Carraig's Waltzing with Bears, #2 and #4 Best Allbreed Kittens,1999-2000, ACFA-EC;G.Ch. Carraig's Xavier Coolcat, Best Allbreed Kitten, ACFA-EC 2000-2001, G.Ch. Carraig's You Gotta B Kitten, 7th Best Allbreed Cat, 2002-2003. Uzi has sired many ACFA regional winners, and in 2001, was awarded ACFA's Legacy of Achievement title for three regional wins of his own. He was the first Birman to claim the title, and was followed in 2003, by his son, G.Ch./G.Pr. Carraig's Xavier Coolcat, who also achieved three regional wins. They are the first dam or sire and offspring, to be awarded the title. Uzi is also the sire of CFA G.Ch. Carraig's Zee Big Mac (BPM), and G. Pr. Carraig's Xavier Coolcat (BPN).








We have moved into the new millenium with imported lines from Germany and England, as well as a great-grandson of our foundation queen, Ch. Denebir's Yakima of Carraig (CPM). This has allowed our cattery to expand its focus on chocolates and lilacs, while using daughters of Uzi, including Ch. You Gotta B Kitten (CPF) and Ch. Carraig's Xi Lucevan le Stelle (LPF), dam of the kitten pictured here, Carraig's Ahhhnold of Beckn (CPM).

Carraig's quest for excellence continues!