Official ICCF Breed Standard
Brief Historical Background
The Australian Mist is a cat breed created in Australia in the late 20th century. The first selective breeding programs began in 1976 under Dr. Truda Straede (formerly Mainard), who aimed to develop a cat with a unique spotted and misted coat pattern. Burmese, Abyssinian, and domestic shorthair cats were used to achieve this goal. As a result, a new breed emerged with an unusual “veiled” coat and a stable, gentle temperament. The Australian Mist gained official recognition in the late 1980s, becoming the first entirely Australian-developed breed. Within the ICCF system, it is recognized as a harmonious, healthy, and friendly breed, characterized by a silky coat and calm, balanced personality.
General Appearance
The Australian Mist is a medium-sized cat with a harmonious and proportionate build. It has a strong bone structure, well-developed musculature, and rounded body lines. The body is dense yet graceful, the chest broad, and the back straight. Legs are medium in length and strong, and the tail is proportionate. The hallmark of the breed is its misted spotted or marbled coat pattern, which gives a soft, smoky appearance, subtly veiling the markings. The fur is short, dense, silky, and lightly glossy. The head is rounded with soft contours, and the large expressive eyes harmonize with the coat color. Overall, the cat gives the impression of elegance, balance, and friendliness.
Important Proportions
According to the ICCF standard, proportions must be precise and harmonious. The head is round and moderate in size, proportional to the body. The muzzle is neither short nor elongated, maintaining a gentle, soft expression. The ears are medium-sized and widely set. Eyes are large and wide apart, accentuating the breed’s expression. The body is medium-sized and balanced, without excessive heaviness or refinement. Limbs are of medium length with oval, well-proportioned paws. The tail equals the body length or is slightly shorter, tapering toward the tip. Each part of the body should flow naturally into the next, creating balance and integrity without extremes.
Behavior and Character
The Australian Mist is renowned for its friendly and even temperament. It is affectionate, calm, and people-oriented yet remains active and curious. Known for tolerance and sociability, it gets along well with children and other pets. The breed shows no tendency toward aggression and displays confidence and openness. The Australian Mist adapts quickly to new environments, making it an ideal family companion. Playful and social without being intrusive, it maintains balance between energy and calm. Its intelligence and curiosity make it easy to train and well-behaved in the home.
Head
The head of the Australian Mist is round, medium in size, and proportionate to the body, giving a soft and pleasant expression. The forehead is slightly convex, with a smooth, gentle curve to the nose without a pronounced stop. Cheekbones are defined but not coarse; cheeks are moderately full, especially in mature males. The muzzle is broad and slightly rounded. The chin is firm, the bite correct, and the profile straight. Head lines are smooth, with visible width at the base of the ears. Slight wrinkling on the forehead when alert is permissible.
Facial Part
The face forms the breed’s gentle and clear expression. The muzzle is medium in length, broad at the base, and softly rounded without tapering. The nose is straight, of medium width and length, with a slight indentation at the bridge but no stop. The chin is strong and symmetrical, and the bite correct. The cheekbones are clear but not dominant; cheeks moderately full. The nose leather is rounded at the tip, with open nostrils. The profile line forms a smooth arc.
Eyes
The eyes are large, rounded-oval, and wide-set, with a gentle inward slant toward the nose, giving an attentive and kind expression. Eye color ranges from green to golden, bright and clear, harmonizing with the coat. Eyelid rims are fine and neatly outlined. The gaze is open, friendly, and lively. The pupil is round and responsive to light. The space between the eyes equals approximately one eye width. Dull tones are undesirable; clarity and brilliance are preferred.
Ears
The ears are medium in size, broad at the base, with smoothly rounded tips and a slight forward tilt. They are widely and fairly high-set, complementing the rounded shape of the head without dominating it. The inner surface is moderately furnished with fine hair. Overly large, narrow-based, or high-set ears that disrupt harmony are undesirable. In profile, the ear line merges softly with the skull. Ears should be symmetrical, balanced, and in harmony with the eyes and forehead.
Neck
The neck is medium in length, muscular yet flexible, smoothly connecting the head and body. In males it is stronger; in females, finer and more graceful. The skin lies smoothly without heavy folds. The neck must not appear short or overly elongated and should maintain the breed’s balanced outline. It flows naturally into the shoulders, allowing free, supple head movement.
Body
The body is medium in length, compact and strong, with a straight topline and deep, rounded chest. The loin is firm, flanks slightly curved, and abdomen tucked up. The overall build is balanced, combining strength and elegance without heaviness or fragility. Lines are smooth, the silhouette unified, reflecting the breed’s active and stable nature. The chest broadens toward the shoulders; the back remains level in stance and movement. The body must appear proportionate and naturally harmonious.
Tail
The tail is medium in length, proportionate, flexible, and expressive in motion. The base is moderately wide, tapering smoothly to a rounded tip. Fully covered with short, dense fur of the same texture as the body coat. Kinks, stiffness, or restricted mobility are faults. In stance, the tail continues the backline without sharp angle; in motion, a natural arch is acceptable. The tip should be neat, without thickening. The tail contributes to overall balance and grace.
Forelimbs
Forelegs are medium in length, straight and strong, providing stability and precision of movement. The bone structure is firm but not coarse, with well-developed muscles suited to an active cat. Shoulders and forearms are proportional; elbows directed backward. Paws are rounded, compact, with tightly gathered toes and firm pads. The stance is parallel, and movements are free and coordinated. Weak wrists, narrow set, or excessive thinness of bone are undesirable.
Hindlimbs
Hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, giving a gentle rise to the topline and adding dynamism to the silhouette. Thighs are broad and muscular, with strong lower legs and balanced joints ensuring springy movement. Paws are oval, compact, and firm. The limbs must be straight and parallel when viewed from behind, producing a stable, elastic stride. Narrow stance, cow-hocked, or weak pasterns are faults.
Gait and Movement
The gait of the Australian Mist is light, springy, and smooth. Movements are steady, well-coordinated, and balanced. The back remains level, showing flexibility and rhythm. Fore- and hindlimbs move harmoniously, with a precise, economical stride. At faster paces, movements remain controlled and fluent. The tail acts as a rudder, maintaining balance. A choppy or unbalanced gait is undesirable.
Coat
The coat is short, dense, and silky, lying close to the body with a soft sheen. The undercoat is minimal, enhancing smoothness and ease of care. A key feature is the misted effect: a delicate veil softens the tabby spots or marbled pattern, maintaining contrast and depth. The texture is resilient yet soft, evenly covering the body. The fur should appear healthy, glossy, and fine to the touch. Sparse, dull, coarse, or fluffy coats are undesirable.
Acceptable Colors
All tabby varieties are accepted: spotted, mackerel, and marbled, as well as misted patterns with a smoky effect. Base colors include brown, chocolate, blue, and lilac, with diluted shades permitted. The pattern should be clear but softly veiled by misting, contrasting gently with the base tone. Bicolors with white are allowed if tabby markings remain visible. Nose leather, eye rims, and paw pads must correspond to coat tone. Solid (non-patterned) coats are disallowed. Warm hues with defined outlining are preferred.
Size
Male Australian Mists are medium to large, weighing 4.5–6 kg, occasionally more while maintaining balance and condition. The body is muscular, chest deep, bones firm. Females are lighter, 3.5–5 kg, more refined and elegant. Sexual dimorphism is evident but not extreme. Slight variations are acceptable if proportions are maintained. On the show bench, cats of medium proportions with balanced bodies and limbs are preferred.
Faults
Faults include all deviations from the standard that reduce show quality but do not disqualify the cat. These include imbalance of body proportions, overly long or short torso, narrow or shallow chest, weak musculature, or excessive heaviness. Too short or long limbs, weak bone structure, flat or oversized paws are faults. Head faults include poorly defined cheekbones, narrow forehead, overly long or short nose, weak or slanted chin, small or dull eyes, or incorrectly placed ears. Coat faults include lack of density, dullness, absence of silkiness, unclear tabby markings, or loss of the misted effect.
Disqualification
Disqualification applies to cats with serious faults incompatible with the ICCF breed type. These include tail deformities (kinks, shortening, rigidity, or fused vertebrae), severe bite defects (overshot, undershot, jaw asymmetry), strabismus, small or deformed eyes, unpatterned or solid coats, or the presence of white patches not allowed by the standard. Excessively long, harsh, or downy fur also leads to disqualification. Behavioral issues such as unprovoked aggression, extreme fear, or refusal to be handled are grounds for exclusion. Cats with congenital defects, hereditary diseases, or psychological instability must not be used for breeding.
Important Notes
Breeding of the Australian Mist within the ICCF system is permitted only with official ICCF documentation confirming pedigree and compliance with the standard. All breeding cats must be healthy, mentally stable, social, and free of disqualifying faults. Preservation of the unique misted tabby pattern is a key goal of selection. Inbreeding is prohibited to maintain genetic diversity. Exhibition cats must display not only correct conformation but also a calm, friendly temperament. Animals with hereditary conditions or signs of aggression must be excluded from breeding. ICCF breeding policy emphasizes maintaining health, balance, and type integrity.
Conclusion
The Australian Mist is a unique cat breed developed in Australia and officially recognized by ICCF as a distinct standard. These cats combine elegant physique, silky misted coats, and a calm, affectionate nature. They are excellent companions for families, adaptable, and gentle with children and other pets. The ICCF standard strictly regulates conformation, color, behavior, and breeding requirements to preserve the breed’s type and health. Participation in ICCF shows and breeding programs is permitted only for cats with official documentation confirming pedigree and compliance. Cats with disqualifying defects are excluded from breeding. Thus, under ICCF, the Australian Mist continues to develop as a harmonious and healthy breed combining beauty, stability, and character.
