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Australian mist |
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TranslationFrancis Vandersteen |
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OriginThe Australian Mist, also known as the Spotted Mist, is a breed of cat native to Australia. |
| This medium-sized cat is characterized by its short-haired coat with a spotted tabby or blotched tabby pattern. |
A brief historical overview |
| The origins of the Australian Mist go back to the late 1970s, when an Australian woman from near Sydney, Dr. Truda Straede, began crossing Abyssinians, Burmeses and local domestic cats. The aim was to create a very gentle, affectionate breed unique to Australia, which until then had no breed of its own. Abyssinians were chosen for some of their colors and especially for the ticking of their coat, burmeses for their gentle, placid character and for certain diluted colors not found in Abyssinians, and finally, spotted tabbies to obtain the sought-after coat. In 1980, the breed was accepted into a register of experimental breeds, and six years later, after four generations of cats, the breed was officially recognized under the name spotted mist (a name referring to the only coat accepted in the breed). In 1997, the breed took on its current name when the blotched tabby coat was accepted. In 2004, the breed was recognized for the first time outside its country of origin by the WCF. To this day, however, the breed remains virtually unknown outside Australia, with the exception of a few English kennels. |
General appearance |
| The Australian Mist is a well-balanced cat, which must remain moderate in all its physical traits, none of which tend towards extremes. Cross-breeding is still accepted in Australia, but the cat must never have more than half Burmese blood, a quarter Abyssinian and a quarter Domestic Cat. Cats that could carry the genes for silver, red or semi-longhair are absolutely forbidden. |
Important proportions |
| This breed is of medium size, weight and length. |
Behavior / characteristics |
| The character of the Australian Mist is one of the most important points in the breed's development. It is described as calm and affectionate, intelligent and eager to follow its owner. They are also said to be patient, and readily accept cohabitation with other animals or children. These traits, however, are entirely individual and depend on the history of each cat. |
Head |
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Cranial region |
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Head |
The head of the Australian Mist is very expressive and rather large. It is slightly round. | |
Facial region |
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Nose |
The nose is fairly broad and a little hollowed, without having a break. | |
Muzzle |
The muzzle is well defined. | |
Eyes |
The eyes are large and expressive. They give the impression that the cat is always on the alert. The upper eye line descends towards the nose, while the lower eye line is well rounded. The only accepted color is green in all its shades. | |
Ears |
The ears are set fairly far apart on the head. They should be medium to large with a broad base and well rounded tip, pointing forward in profile. | |
Body |
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Chest |
The chest is round, with powerful muscles and medium to strong bones. When lifted, the cat's weight can be surprising. | |
Tail |
| The tail is of medium length, thick at the base and with the finest tip possible. |
Limbs |
| The legs are proportionately long in relation to the body, with oval paws. | ||
Forequarters |
Hindquarters |
Coat |
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Coat and texture |
The coat is short and the color must be intense, except on the lower part of the body where it may be lighter, and in kittens and young cats up to two years of age. Accepted colors are blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon and fawn in spotted tabby and blotched tabby patterns only. | |
Size and weight |
English (United Kingdom) 
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