Domestic Longhair Cat Breed Information
Also known as: Moggy (longhaired), Mixed-breed longhair
The longhaired non-pedigree cat. Hugely variable in coat, colour, size and personality. After the Domestic Shorthair, the second most common cat in NZ households.
A highly affectionate, great with young children cat. On the practical side: minimal drool. The trade-off is sheds plenty.
About the Domestic Longhair.
The Domestic Longhair is the longhaired sibling of the Domestic Shorthair. Both are non-pedigree mixed-ancestry cats; the longhair version has the recessive longhair gene expressed. After the shorthair Moggy, the Domestic Longhair is the second most common cat in NZ.
Coats range from short-medium to truly long, with the densest coats inherited from Persian, Maine Coon or Norwegian Forest Cat ancestors generations back. Personality and appearance vary widely between individuals.
Personality and behaviour
Hugely variable. Most are affectionate, adaptable and tolerant of household life. As with the shorthair Moggy, meeting the individual cat at the rescue or shelter matters more than reading breed traits.
Care and grooming
Twice-weekly brushing handles most longhair coats. Older cats and overweight cats lose flexibility for self-grooming and benefit from more attention to the trousers and chest. Watch for grass seeds and parasites in cats that go outside.
Indoor vs outdoor in New Zealand
Same standard NZ guidance as for any cat. SPCA NZ recommends contained or dusk-to-dawn-indoor lifestyles to reduce road risk and protect native wildlife. The longer coat also picks up debris and parasites more readily than a short one, so an outdoor longhair needs more grooming attention.
Where to find a Domestic Longhair in New Zealand
Adoption is the right path. SPCA NZ (adoption) and all-breed cat rescues regularly have longhaired cats and kittens of all ages. Adoption costs NZD 80 to 350 with the cat desexed, vaccinated and microchipped.
The Domestic Longhair, by the numbers.
Each trait scored 1 to 5 on the AKC scale. The verdict synthesises the data; the panels below show the strengths, group averages, and the full trait table.
Top strengths
Family Life
avg 4.0Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Pets
Physical
avg 3.5Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Social
avg 3.5Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Adaptability
Independence
Personality
avg 3.0Trainability
Energy Level
Vocal Level
Prey Drive
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a Domestic Longhair.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Domestic Longhair costs to own.
An indicative NZ lifetime cost: purchase, setup, then food, vet, insurance, grooming and other annual outgoings. Adjust the inputs to see how your choices change the total.
A Domestic Longhair costs about
$175per month
$40
$6
$32,015
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$38 / mo
$460/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$34 / mo
$410/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$54 / mo
$650/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$23 / mo
$280/yr · brushes, shampoo, professional clips
Other
$25 / mo
$300/yr · toys, treats, dental, boarding
Indicative NZ averages calculated from breed weight, grooming need and screened-condition count. One-off costs (purchase $215 + setup $300) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the Domestic Longhair compare?
This breed
Domestic Longhair
$32,015
15-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$515
- Food (lifetime)$6,900
- Vet (lifetime)$9,750
- Insurance (lifetime)$6,150
- Grooming (lifetime)$4,200
- Other (lifetime)$4,500
Reference
Average NZ cat
$23,600
14-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$500
- Food (lifetime)$7,000
- Vet (lifetime)$5,600
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,600
- Grooming (lifetime)$1,400
- Other (lifetime)$3,500
A Domestic Longhair costs about $8,415 more over a lifetime than the average nz cat, mostly highervet and highergrooming.
What to ask the breeder.
Reputable NZ cat breeders test for these conditions and share results. The bigger health drivers for the breed appear in the Common group.
Common
2 conditionsDental disease
A common condition in the Domestic Longhair. Ask the breeder about screening.
Obesity
Particularly in indoor-only desexed cats.
Occasional
3 conditionsUrinary tract conditions
An occasional condition in the Domestic Longhair. Worth asking about.
Hyperthyroidism (older cats)
An occasional condition in the Domestic Longhair. Worth asking about.
Matting and parasite-related coat issues
Longer coats catch grass seeds, foxtails, and parasites more readily than shorthaired moggies.
The Domestic Longhair in NZ.
- Popularity: After the Domestic Shorthair, the second most common cat in NZ. Roughly 95% of pet cats in NZ are non-pedigree shorthair or longhair Moggies.
- Typical price: NZ$80–350 from registered breeders or rescues
- Rescue availability: common
- NZ climate fit: Adapts to all NZ regions and climates. The long coat suits cooler regions particularly well.
- Living space: Suits any NZ home, from apartments to lifestyle blocks.
Who the Domestic Longhair is for.
Suits
- First-time cat owners
- Adoption from SPCA and rescue organisations
- Households wanting a longhair without a pedigree price tag
Less suited to
- Owners wanting predictable pedigree traits
- Households unable to commit to twice-weekly brushing
Common questions.
Where do most NZ Domestic Longhairs come from?
Is a Domestic Longhair higher maintenance than a Domestic Shorthair?
Should an NZ Domestic Longhair go outside?
If the Domestic Longhair appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
Domestic Shorthair
The most common cat in New Zealand. A non-pedigree mixed-breed shorthair, hugely variable in colour, size and personality. The default rescue cat.
Maine Coon
One of the largest domestic cat breeds. Friendly, dog-like in temperament, with a magnificent long coat and tufted ears.
Norwegian Forest Cat
Large, robustly-built semi-longhair developed naturally in the Norwegian forest and coast for centuries before formal recognition. Calm, independent, weather-adapted, and one of the larger pedigree cats in NZ.
Ragdoll
Large, semi-longhaired and famous for going limp when picked up. Affectionate, calm, indoor-suited and great with families.
Last reviewed:
Sources for this pageInformation only. Breed traits and health notes on this page are aggregated from public registry and breed-authority sources. Individual animals vary; this page is general information, not veterinary, behavioural, or insurance advice. Always consult a registered NZ vet or breeder for guidance specific to your situation.