Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The Mandalay cat breed originated in New Zealand in the 1980s as a result of selective breeding of Burmese cats. Breeders sought to create animals that combined harmonious appearance, strong health, and a rich color palette. The foundation of the breed was Burmese lines crossed with domestic and other cats to broaden the genetic base. The result was a cat with a short, glossy coat, expressive eyes, and a calm temperament. The breed was named “Mandalay” after the Asian city, reflecting its eastern heritage. Over time, it gained recognition within several feline organizations, both local and international. Today, the Mandalay is valued for its loyalty, sociability, and elegant appearance that retains the refined traits of its Burmese ancestors.
General Appearance
The Mandalay cat is of medium size, well-muscled, and gracefully built with smooth, flowing lines and excellent flexibility of movement. The body is proportionate, with moderate bone structure. Females are more delicate, while males display stronger builds. The head is rounded with soft contours, pronounced cheekbones, and a balanced muzzle. Eyes are large, widely spaced, bright, and expressive, giving individuality to the cat’s face. The coat is short, dense, and close-lying, with exceptional shine and silkiness. The overall impression is one of elegance, vitality, and friendliness.
Important Proportions
All parts of the Mandalay’s body are in harmonious proportion. The body length is roughly twice the height at the withers, producing an elongated but balanced silhouette. The head matches the body in size—neither too large nor too narrow. Legs are of medium length, providing grace and ease of movement. The tail is proportionate, tapering smoothly toward the tip. Ears are balanced with the head and maintain overall symmetry. The breed should show equilibrium between bone structure and muscle tone—neither coarse nor overly refined. Every proportion contributes to a look of harmony and refined elegance.
Temperament and Character
Mandalay cats are friendly, affectionate, and people-oriented. They form strong bonds with their owners, adapt easily to new environments, and enjoy human company. Calm yet curious, they remain playful even as adults. They get along well with children and other pets, showing tolerance and gentleness. The breed is intelligent and easy to train, quickly learning household routines. Despite their energy, Mandalays appreciate comfort and closeness, combining loyalty with joyful affection—making them ideal companions.
Head
The head is rounded with soft, balanced contours and smooth transitions between features. The skull is broad and gently curved without sharp angles. Cheeks are defined but not prominent, the muzzle flows smoothly into a medium-strength chin. The forehead is slightly rounded, the nose break is gentle with no abrupt stop. The overall shape gives the Mandalay an open, friendly expression in proportion with its body.
Facial Features
The face has a softly rounded muzzle, full cheeks, and a balanced appearance. The nose is straight and of medium length, blending naturally into the facial profile with a gentle curve at the tip. The chin is firm and aligned with the nose line. Whiskers are long and straight, emphasizing expression. Cheeks are delicately contoured, giving a tender, refined look. The facial expression should be gentle and symmetrical without heaviness.
Eyes
Eyes are large, widely spaced, and round with a slight almond tilt. Their size and position create an expressive, open look. The color ranges from vivid gold to amber or copper, always clear and intense. The gaze is lively and intelligent, reflecting the cat’s friendly and inquisitive nature. The eyes are an essential breed feature, adding to its charm and personality.
Ears
Ears are medium-sized, broad at the base, and gently rounded at the tips. Set slightly forward, they enhance the attentive expression of the face. Wide spacing complements the head’s proportions. The inner surface is lightly covered with hair; the outer surface is smooth. Ears should be symmetrical and harmoniously balanced—neither too large nor too small.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, strong, and muscular, smoothly merging into the shoulders and torso. It must appear elegant and proportional—not too thick or too long. Its lines are graceful, emphasizing harmony and poise. A well-developed neck supports the head attractively and contributes to the breed’s overall elegance.
Body
The body is medium-sized, slightly elongated, well-balanced, and muscular. The back is straight, the chest deep and moderately broad, and the abdomen tucked but not hollow. The silhouette is smooth and continuous, giving an impression of strength combined with grace. Males are more solidly built, females more refined, but both must exhibit balance and symmetry.
Tail
The tail is medium in length, proportionate to the body, thicker at the base and tapering to a rounded tip. It is flexible, mobile, and complements the cat’s fluid movement. The coat on the tail is short and glossy, emphasizing the Mandalay’s signature shine. The tail should continue the body line naturally without kinks or abrupt angles.
Forelimbs
Forelegs are straight, of medium length, and proportionate to the body. Bone structure is moderate; muscles are firm but not heavy. The shoulders are slightly sloped, allowing free movement. Elbows lie close to the body. Paws are oval and compact, with tightly gathered toes. Legs should combine stability with grace.
Hind Limbs
Hind legs are slightly longer than the forelegs, giving the Mandalay its graceful stance and agile movement. Thighs are muscular but smooth, knees firm and correctly aligned. The legs end in compact, oval paws with strong pads. The rear legs provide balance and agility, allowing the cat to jump confidently and move fluidly.
Gait and Movement
The Mandalay moves with smooth, elastic steps that convey balance and elegance. Movements are soft, coordinated, and silent. The stride is rhythmic, and the body remains stable in motion. Agility and flexibility are evident in every movement, highlighted by the tail’s fluid role in maintaining balance. The gait must always appear natural and graceful.
Coat
The coat is short, fine, and close-lying, with a distinctive satin-like gloss. The hair is even and smooth, enhancing the cat’s sleek outline. The undercoat is minimal, and the fur requires little maintenance. Texture and luster are key elements of quality; rough or fluffy fur is considered a fault. The coat’s brilliance gives the Mandalay its refined appearance.
Acceptable Colors
The Mandalay breed includes a wide range of colors: solid black, chocolate, blue, lilac, cinnamon, fawn, and their diluted variations. Tabby patterns—mackerel, spotted, or classic—are also accepted, as well as smoke and silver varieties. White markings are undesirable, except for minimal permissible spots. The color should be rich, even, and harmonize with the eye color. Any unapproved color or pattern is considered a disqualifying fault.
Size
Mandalay cats are medium-sized. Females weigh between 3.5–4.5 kg and appear more delicate; males range from 4.5–6 kg and are more muscular. The height at the withers is moderate, with body length slightly exceeding the height, creating an elegant outline. Both sexes must show good health, proper body tone, and balanced musculature.
Faults
Faults include any deviation from the breed’s harmonious look: overly narrow or heavy heads, harsh facial lines, small or dull eyes, long or coarse noses, or weak chins. Body faults include excessive thinness or heaviness, unbalanced limbs, or poor coordination. Coat faults include dullness, roughness, or lack of shine. Uneven or incorrect color and visible white patches in non-permitted areas also reduce show quality.
Disqualification
Disqualifying traits include severe deviations from the ICCF standard, aggressive or excessively fearful behavior, crossed eyes, heterochromia, or vision defects. Tail deformities—kinks, knots, or abnormal shortening—are not allowed. White patches or disallowed colors are grounds for disqualification. Malocclusion, skull deformities, or coarse coat texture also lead to exclusion. Cats with congenital defects or health conditions preventing normal life are not accepted for breeding or shows.
Important Notes
ICCF evaluation of the Mandalay breed considers both conformation and temperament. The cat must embody harmony of form and an affectionate, stable character. Breeding must prioritize coat quality, color richness, and eye brilliance. Strict attention to tail integrity, head formation, and proportional balance is required. Only healthy, properly documented cats with ICCF registration may participate in shows or breeding.
Conclusion
Within the ICCF system, the Mandalay cat represents a perfect balance of elegance, expressiveness, and gentle temperament. The breed is prized for its lustrous short coat, wide color range, and affectionate nature. Strict adherence to the ICCF standard ensures the preservation of its unique qualities, guaranteeing continued recognition and development of the Mandalay as a distinctive and refined international breed.
