Templecat Cat Breed Information
Also known as: Ragamuffin, NZ Templecat
A New Zealand-developed semi-longhair derived from Ragdoll and other breed crosses, with a calm temperament and a wider colour and pattern range than the Ragdoll standard allows. Registered through NZCF as Templecat and recognised internationally as the Ragamuffin.
A highly affectionate, great with young children, friendly with strangers cat. On the practical side: minimal drool.
About the Templecat.
The Templecat is a New Zealand-developed semi-longhaired cat with the calm Ragdoll-style temperament and a much wider colour and pattern palette than the Ragdoll standard allows. NZCF registers the breed under this name; the international Ragamuffin (recognised by CFA from 2003) shares the same gene pool. The breed is one of the few cat breeds with NZ origins.
Personality and behaviour
Templecats are calm, exceptionally affectionate, and tolerant of handling. They form strong bonds across the whole family, prefer indoor life, and relax fully in arms or on laps. Voice is soft and rarely used.
They are excellent with children, other cats and respectful dogs. Prey drive is among the lowest of cats on this site.
Care and grooming
Twice-weekly brushing with a wide-tooth comb manages the silky semi-long coat through most of the year. Daily during seasonal sheds. The breed lacks the dense Persian undercoat and matting is uncommon.
Indoor vs outdoor in New Zealand
Indoor or catio, mandatory for the breed. Same case as the Ragdoll.
Where to find a Templecat in New Zealand
NZCF lists registered Templecat breeders (NZCF Templecat). Expect a three to seven month waitlist, NZD 1,500 to 3,000. Ask about HCM screening (inherited risk from Ragdoll foundation) and the breeder’s preferred colour and pattern lines.
Insurance and lifetime cost
The Templecat shares the Ragdoll’s HCM risk profile in middle to late life. Lifetime cost mid-range for a pedigree cat at $250 to $400 a month all-in.
The Templecat, 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 4.7Affectionate with Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Pets
Physical
avg 3.0Shedding
Grooming Frequency
Social
avg 3.0Openness to Strangers
Playfulness
Adaptability
Independence
Personality
avg 2.0Trainability
Energy Level
Vocal Level
Prey Drive
Mental Stimulation Needs
Living with a Templecat.
A 24-hour breakdown of how this breed's day typically goes, scaled to its energy, mental-stimulation, and grooming needs.
What a Templecat 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 Templecat costs about
$181per month
$42
$6
$33,000
Adjust the inputs:
Where the monthly cost goes
Food
$46 / mo
$550/yr · breed-appropriate dry & wet food
Insurance
$38 / mo
$455/yr · lifetime cover protects against breed-specific claims
Vet (avg)
$49 / mo
$590/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 $2,250 + setup $300) are factored into the lifetime total but not the monthly figure.
How does the Templecat compare?
This breed
Templecat
$33,000
14-year lifetime cost
- Purchase + setup$2,550
- Food (lifetime)$7,700
- Vet (lifetime)$8,260
- Insurance (lifetime)$6,370
- Grooming (lifetime)$3,920
- 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 Templecat costs about $9,400 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
1 conditionDental disease
A common condition in the Templecat. Ask the breeder about screening.
Occasional
2 conditionsHypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Inherited risk from Ragdoll foundation. DNA test (R820W) available.
Obesity
Calm temperament + indoor life = easy weight gain.
Rare but urgent
1 conditionPolycystic kidney disease
Rare in the Templecat but worth knowing the warning signs.
The Templecat in NZ.
- Popularity: A NZ-developed breed with active NZCF breeders. Numbers smaller than Ragdoll, but the wider colour range attracts buyers wanting a calm longhair without the Ragdoll's pointed-only colour palette.
- Typical price: NZ$1500–3000 from registered breeders or rescues
- Rescue availability: rare
- NZ climate fit: Long coat handles cooler regions well. Watch for overheating in upper North Island summers.
- Living space: Excellent for apartments and family homes. The calm temperament suits flatting and shared living.
Who the Templecat is for.
Suits
- Families with children, including young children
- Apartment and indoor-only homes
- Owners wanting a Ragdoll temperament with broader colour options
Less suited to
- Outdoor-roaming setups
- Households wanting an active, high-energy cat
Common questions.
Is a Templecat the same as a Ragamuffin?
How is a Templecat different from a Ragdoll?
Is the Templecat safe outside in NZ?
If the Templecat appeals, also consider.
Breeds with a similar profile that might suit your household.
Ragdoll
Large, semi-longhaired and famous for going limp when picked up. Affectionate, calm, indoor-suited and great with families.
Birman
Gentle, semi-longhaired colourpoint cat with deep blue eyes and four signature white "gloves" on the paws. Quieter and more placid than the Siamese, with a less demanding social profile. A good fit for calm NZ households.
Maine Coon
One of the largest domestic cat breeds. Friendly, dog-like in temperament, with a magnificent long coat and tufted ears.
Siberian
Large, agile, triple-coated cat from Russia with a reputation for producing lower levels of the Fel d 1 cat allergen. Affectionate, family-oriented, and at home in cooler NZ regions.
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.