Australian Mist
Discover the Australian Mist, a uniquely Australian breed with a misty coat, green eyes, and a history spanning four decades of selective breeding.
The Australian Mist is a medium-sized, short-haired cat developed in Australia in 1977 by Dr. Truda Straede, resulting from a cross between Abyssinian, Burmese, and domestic shorthair spotted tabby cats. This specific combination creates a unique coat that looks like a faded, misty veil over a spotted or marbled tabby pattern, with eyes that are always green.
How the breed was created
The breed was established in 1977 using a gene pool of approximately 30 foundation cats. Dr. Straede aimed to create a cat with specific colourings: black, blue, chocolate, and lilac. The distinctive 'misty' appearance was achieved by combining the sepia point gene from the Burmese, the ticking gene from the Abyssinian, and the spotted tabby coat from domestic shorthairs. The first generation was accepted into the experimental category of the Royal Agricultural Society of New South Wales Cat Club in May 1980. By April 1986, the fourth generation was recognized as the 'Spotted Mist'.
The breed underwent a significant change in 1997 when the marbled variety was accepted. This led the Co-ordinating Cat Council of Australia and the Australian Cat Federation to unanimously rename the breed to the Australian Mist. The name change reflected the new variety and the breed's distinct identity.
Coat patterns and colours
The coat is the defining feature of the Australian Mist, consisting of three distinct aspects: a paler background colour, a tabby pattern in the darkest base colour, and a 'misted veil' caused by random ticking in solid colour areas. This ticking breaks up the solid colour, giving the cat a sand-like appearance. The legs and tail are ringed or barred, and the face and neck feature lines of colour. There are two accepted pattern types: the original spotted coat with symmetrical spots, and the marbled coat with swirled patches and streaks. Both varieties must display the characteristic 'M' shape on the forehead and a ringed tail with a dark tip.
Colour development is a slow process. The distinctive misty appearance may not fully develop until the cat is at least two years old. The base colours are limited to eumelanistic shades: black, blue, chocolate, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, and caramel. Phaeomelanistic colours are not permitted in any registry. The under-parts of the body are paler, which enhances the misty effect. The allowed patterns for these base colours are spotted or blotched tabby, along with sepia point colouration.
Physical appearance
Australian Mists are medium-sized cats with a round, medium-sized head and a broad nose. Their eyes are large and green, ranging in shade from chartreuse to aquamarine. The ears are moderately large with rounded tips. The coat is short to medium in length, feeling smooth and silky to the touch. This physical structure supports the breed's active and playful nature, which is typical of the Abyssinian and Burmese ancestors.
Recognition and distribution
The breed has achieved championship status in several major cat registries. It received championship status with the New Zealand Cat Fancy on 1 January 1999. The World Cat Federation accepted the breed in August 2004. The first Australian Mists were imported into the United Kingdom in 2007. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy gave preliminary recognition in October 2011, followed by championship status in February 2017. The International Cat Association granted championship status on 1 May 2014. However, the breed is not yet recognized by the Fédération Internationale Féline.
Due to its novel status outside Australia, most catteries are located within Australia. However, there are a few established catteries in the UK and USA, and breeding cats have also been sent to Norway. This limited distribution makes the breed relatively rare in international show circuits compared to more established breeds.
Health considerations
Breeding Australian Mists involves screening for specific genetic conditions to maintain the health of the population. Commonly screened conditions include pyruvate kinase deficiency, feline hypokalaemic polymyopathy, neonatal isoerythrolysis, and progressive retinal atrophy. Responsible breeding practices focus on eliminating these hereditary issues to ensure the longevity and well-being of the cats.
The Australian Mist is a distinct breed with a clear genetic history and specific physical traits. Its development from three different cat types resulted in a unique coat pattern that sets it apart from other spotted or ticked breeds. The breed's recognition in major registries confirms its stability and the success of the breeding program initiated by Dr. Straede.