Mandalay Cat Breed Information
Also known as: NZ Mandalay, Asian Self
A New Zealand-developed solid-coated breed derived from Burmese genetics. Registered through NZCF and Catz Inc as a separate NZ breed; closely related to the international Asian Self.
A highly affectionate, highly trainable, great with young children cat. On the practical side: low grooming demands and minimal drool.
About the Mandalay.
The Mandalay is a New Zealand-developed pedigree breed for solid-coated cats from Burmese genetic stock. The breed is one of very few cats with NZ origins, alongside the Templecat and the New Zealand Shorthair. Internationally, the same gene pool is registered under the name Asian Self in the GCCF.
Personality and behaviour
Sociable, affectionate and active. Same temperament profile as the Burmese.
Care and grooming
Weekly rub with a rubber mitt.
Indoor vs outdoor in New Zealand
Indoor or catio.
Where to find a Mandalay in New Zealand
NZCF and Catz Inc list registered breeders (NZCF Mandalay, Catz Inc Mandalay). Litters are infrequent. Waitlist long, NZD 1,200 to 2,500.
The Mandalay, 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 4.3Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Pets
Physical
avg 1.5Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Social
avg 3.5Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Adaptability
Independence
Personality
avg 3.4Trainability
Energy Level
Vocal Level
Prey Drive
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a Mandalay.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Mandalay 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 Mandalay costs about
$138per month
$32
$5
$25,320
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)
$44 / mo
$530/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 $1,850 + setup $300) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the Mandalay compare?
This breed
Mandalay
$25,320
14-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,150
- Food (lifetime)$6,020
- Vet (lifetime)$7,420
- Insurance (lifetime)$5,530
- Grooming (lifetime)$0
- Other (lifetime)$4,200
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 Mandalay costs about $1,720 more over a lifetime than the average nz cat, mostly highervet and higherpurchase + setup.
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
1 conditionDental disease
A common condition in the Mandalay. Ask the breeder about screening.
Occasional
2 conditionsDiabetes mellitus
Inherited from Burmese foundation.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
An occasional condition in the Mandalay. Worth asking about.
The Mandalay in NZ.
- Popularity: A NZ-developed pedigree breed registered through Catz Inc and NZCF. Numbers are small.
- Typical price: NZ$1200–2500 from registered breeders or rescues
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: Short coat handles all NZ regions; warm sleeping spots in cooler regions.
- Living space: Apartments and houses both suit.
Who the Mandalay is for.
Suits
- Households home most of the day
- Owners wanting a Burmese temperament with solid colour options
Less suited to
- Long-hours-out single-cat households
- Outdoor-roaming setups
Common questions.
Is the Mandalay the same as a Bombay?
Where can I find a Mandalay in NZ?
If the Mandalay appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
Burmese
Compact, muscular shorthair famous for being intensely affectionate and following its person from room to room. Often called the "Velcro cat" for the way it sticks close. Vocal but soft-spoken, with a notable separation anxiety risk if left alone all day.
Burmilla
An accidental cross between a Burmese and a Chinchilla Persian in the early 1980s produced this elegant silver-tipped breed. Sociable like the Burmese, calmer in voice, and with the striking silver-shaded coat of the Chinchilla.
Tonkinese
A deliberate cross between Siamese and Burmese, the Tonkinese sits between its parent breeds in colour, build and temperament. Active, vocal, demanding, and a fixture in NZ Catz Inc and NZCF breeder lists.
Bombay
The black-only Burmese, deliberately bred from black American Shorthair and sable Burmese foundation to resemble a miniature black panther. Same Burmese sociability with the dramatic solid black coat and copper or gold eyes.
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.