Domestic Shorthair Cat Breed Information
Also known as: Moggy, Mixed-breed cat
The most common cat in New Zealand. A non-pedigree mixed-breed shorthair, hugely variable in colour, size and personality. The default rescue cat.
A highly affectionate, great with young children, highly playful cat. On the practical side: low grooming demands and minimal drool.
About the Domestic Shorthair.
The Domestic Shorthair is the default cat in New Zealand. It is not a pedigree breed but a worldwide population of mixed-ancestry shorthaired cats, and the cat most often adopted from SPCA NZ and other rescues. Adults are typically 3 to 6 kg with huge variation in colour and pattern.
Because of its mixed background, this is the most genetically diverse “breed” on the site. Personality and appearance vary much more between individuals than within pedigree breeds.
Personality and behaviour
Most are affectionate, adaptable, and tolerant of household life. Personality predictability is lower than for pedigree cats, which is why meeting the individual cat at the rescue or shelter matters far more than reading breed traits.
Care
Grooming is minimal. A weekly brush helps reduce shed and provides bonding time. Most NZ households can fold a Domestic Shorthair into existing routines without specialised care.
The Domestic Shorthair, 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 2.0Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Social
avg 3.8Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Adaptability
Independence
Personality
avg 3.2Trainability
Energy Level
Vocal Level
Prey Drive
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a Domestic Shorthair.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Domestic Shorthair 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 Shorthair costs about
$143per month
$33
$5
$26,240
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$36 / mo
$430/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$33 / mo
$395/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$49 / mo
$590/yr · routine checks plus breed-specific risk
Grooming
$0 / mo
$0/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 Shorthair compare?
This breed
Domestic Shorthair
$26,240
15-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$515
- Food (lifetime)$6,450
- Vet (lifetime)$8,850
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,925
- Grooming (lifetime)$0
- 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 Shorthair costs about $2,640 more over a lifetime than the average nz cat, mostly highervet and lowergrooming.
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
Routine annual dental checks recommended.
Obesity
Particularly common in indoor-only desexed cats.
Occasional
2 conditionsUrinary tract conditions
An occasional condition in the Domestic Shorthair. Worth asking about.
Hyperthyroidism (older cats)
An occasional condition in the Domestic Shorthair. Worth asking about.
The Domestic Shorthair in NZ.
- Popularity: The most common cat in NZ. NZ has roughly 1.2 million pet cats and the great majority are non-pedigree.
- Typical price: NZ$80–350 from registered breeders or rescues
- Rescue availability: common
- NZ climate fit: Adapts to all NZ regions and climates.
- Living space: Suits any NZ home, from apartments to lifestyle blocks.
Who the Domestic Shorthair is for.
Suits
- First-time cat owners
- Adoption from SPCA and rescues
- Households that want a low-maintenance pet
Less suited to
- Owners wanting predictable pedigree traits
Common questions.
Where do most NZ Domestic Shorthairs come from?
Should an NZ Domestic Shorthair go outside?
Are Domestic Shorthairs healthier than pedigree breeds?
If the Domestic Shorthair appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
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.