Felis catus
Mandalay
Featured photomandalay.jpgThe Mandalay is a cat breed developed in New Zealand during the 1980s through crosses of Burmese cats with domestic shorthairs. Recognized by the New Zealand Cat Fancy (NZCF) in 1990, the Mandalay is a medium-sized, self-colored shorthaired cat with a slightly less rounded head and less extreme conformation than the American Burmese. It is recognized in a wider range of solid colors than the Burmese and has a distinct personality and appearance profile.
Quick facts
- Origin country
- New Zealand
- Origin period
- Developed 1980s; NZCF recognition 1990
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Black, Blue, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Lilac, Fawn, Red, Cream, Tortoiseshell and torbie variants
- Size category
- Medium
- Average lifespan
- 12-16 years
- Recognition
- —
Origin
The Mandalay originated in New Zealand during the 1980s as a deliberate development program crossing Burmese cats with domestic shorthairs. Breeders sought to produce a broader-colored, slightly less extreme variant of the Burmese type suited to New Zealand conditions. The domestic shorthair crosses introduced additional color genes while maintaining the close, glossy coat and sturdy Burmese body. The New Zealand Cat Fancy (NZCF) accepted the Mandalay for championship competition in 1990 after evaluation of breeding records and physical standards.
Recognition
The Mandalay is recognized principally by the New Zealand Cat Fancy (NZCF) and, to a limited degree, by Australian cat registries. The breed is not recognized by CFA, TICA, GCCF, or FIFe. Its status as a distinct breed separate from the Burmese is maintained primarily within Australasian cat fancy circles. Breeders outside New Zealand and Australia are uncommon, and the breed's international profile remains limited.
Appearance
The Mandalay is a medium-sized, solid cat with a gently rounded head that is less extreme than the American Burmese. The eyes are large, round, and slightly slanted, ranging in color from yellow to gold. The ears are medium-sized, wide-set, and slightly forward-tilted. The coat is short, very close-lying, and has a high gloss finish. The body is muscular and compact. A wider range of solid colors is accepted than in the Burmese standard, including black, blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, red, cream, and tortoiseshell and torbie variants, making the Mandalay one of the more color-diverse self-colored shorthair breeds.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-07
- registry-breed-profile — accessed 2026-05-07
Frequently asked questions
How does the Mandalay differ from the Burmese?
The Mandalay was developed from Burmese crosses with domestic New Zealand shorthairs. It has a slightly less rounded head than the American Burmese and accepts a wider range of solid colors beyond the traditional Burmese sable, blue, champagne, and platinum. The Mandalay is recognized by the NZCF as a separate breed; internationally, it is not recognized by CFA, TICA, or other major registries.
Where is the Mandalay recognized?
The Mandalay is recognized by the New Zealand Cat Fancy (NZCF) and some Australian registries. It is not recognized by CFA, TICA, GCCF, or FIFe. The breed's geographic distribution is primarily limited to New Zealand and Australia.
What colors does the Mandalay come in?
The NZCF recognizes the Mandalay in a broad range of self colors: black, blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, red, cream, and all tortoiseshell and torbie combinations of the above. This is a wider color acceptance than the traditional Burmese standard, which typically recognizes four to ten colors depending on the registry.
