History of the Australian Mist Cat

These delectable short-haired cats were the brain-child of Dr. Truda Straede (Nintu Cattery) and were developed from the idea to full register over nine years from 1977. This wholly AUSTRALIAN breed of cat is now recognised by governing councils Australia wide. Australian Mist have a large gene pool, derived from over 30 foundation cats, half Burmese, and a quarter each Abyssinian and Australian Moggy. Burmese contributed the dilution for the colours, the ‘laid back’ nature, four of the colours and some of the pattern, as well as general size and conformation. From the Abyssinian came the beautiful ticking to develop the pattern, two colours, and a touch of lively intelligence. Moggies contributed to the best spots, but primarily to vigour, with a dose of ‘uncosseted’ cat genes improving teeth, kidneys, mothering qualities, and helping to stabilise litter sizes around the feline average of four. Sound husbandry and selection, combined with genetic insight, and the perseverance of the experimental breeders has led to a pleasingly uniform, but genetically broadly based population of cats, which are now available to any interested cat buyer. The first breeding population to be established outside Australia will be in the UK.

Appearance of the Australian Mist

There is nothing extreme about Australian Mist, they are of moderate size, medium boned, rounded of head, with large eyes and ears. The coat is short, but resilient, the tail is plumply furred. The colours are warm brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, gold and peach; the pattern is of delicate spots or intricate marbled swirls against a misty ground, with legs and tail ringed and barred, and the face lined. Eyes are large and expressive in a range of greens. The nose, chin and whiskerpads are broad giving the face a generous expression. Very popular with first time pedigree cat buyers, their well bred but not extreme appearance appeals as essentially cat.

Temperament of the Australian Mist

Australian Mist are full of love and fun, bright but relaxed,  excellent mothers, moderate breeders, and superlative studs. Desexed cats, females and kittens fit in easily with all sorts of other pets. Their conviction that no person or animal could do anything but love them leads to ease of integration with any but the extremely aggressive. Temperament is such that even many males are able to live in small groups with other males. Selection has ensured that they are perfectly happy to live permanently indoors – provided that they have the company of other humans, or felines.

Also see:

Australian Mist cat breeders