Mandalay
The Mandalay is a New Zealand breed developed from Burmese cats crossed with New Zealand domestic shorthairs to expand the colour range and introduce new genetic diversity.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
New Zealand
Lifespan
14–16 years
Weight
3–6 kg (6.5–13 lbs)
Height
23–30 cm (9–12 in)
Exercise
15 to 25 min/day
Diet
Obligate carnivore — high-quality wet and dry food.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Felidae
Genus
Felis
The Story
The Mandalay is a New Zealand breed developed from Burmese cats crossed with New Zealand domestic shorthairs to expand the colour range and introduce new genetic diversity. It retains the Burmese's characteristic people-oriented, dog-like personality and satiny coat but in a wider range of colours than either the American or European Burmese standards allow. The breed is recognised in New Zealand and Australia but not internationally by the major registries.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
Similar to the European Burmese in body type — medium-sized, well-muscled, with a slightly rounded head and vivid golden-yellow eyes. The coat is short, fine, and satiny. Available in a wider colour range than other Burmese types including tabby and tortoiseshell patterns.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Low
Coat Length
short
Coat Type
smooth
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Rarely
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Same as the Burmese — intensely people-oriented, dog-like, vocal, and affectionate. One of the most human-bonded cat breeds.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
4/5Attention Need
5/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
5/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
Apartment
Daily Exercise
15 to 25 min/day
Ideal Weather
18°C to 35°C
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor-Preferred
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
40%
Attention
50%
Playfulness
50%
Communication Style
Vocal Profile
chatty
Stress Signals
clinginess, excessive vocalisation, over-grooming, pica
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •Minimal grooming. High social needs — pairs recommended. Regular dental care.
Nutrition Notes
New Zealand's Burmese with expanded colours. Same Burmese health profile — diabetes, FOPS, craniofacial defect. Generally healthy.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Same as Burmese — diabetes, FOPS, HCM. New Zealand breed with expanded Burmese colours. 15-18 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
350 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
250 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Same health profile as Burmese — HCM, FOPS, diabetes mellitus. The additional domestic shorthair genetic diversity may slightly improve overall health compared to the narrow Burmese gene pool.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
NZ Burmese with expanded colours. India: suits climate.
Purchase Price
$600 to $1,500
Adoption Fee
$50 to $300
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Mandalay is one of very few cat breeds developed in the Southern Hemisphere to gain formal breed recognition — most internationally recognised breeds originate from Europe, the USA, or Asia.
The name Mandalay references the Burmese heritage of the breed — Mandalay is the second-largest city of Myanmar (Burma) and one of the country's most culturally significant cities.
