Domestic Medium Hair Breed History
Like the Domestic Longhair and the Domestic Shorthair, the Domestic Medium Hair is not a single, recognized breed. Rather, these cats are referred to as mutts because they are mixed breed felines that can have the looks and characteristics of a combination of different breeds. And because these cats are commonly found in shelters and feral colonies throughout the world today, they are one of the most popular and beloved breeds.
In terms of their history, it’s believed that these cats first arrived in America with the Pilgrims, who decided to bring them along on their ships in order to help control the rodent population. Many generations of mixed breeding among these felines created the Domestic Medium Hairs that are found in cat loving homes around the world.
However, as mentioned above, the thing to keep in mind is that a Domestic Medium Hair isn’t actually a specific feline breed. Basically, whether you are looking at a Domestic Shorthair, a Domestic Medium Hair, and a Domestic Longhair, you are looking at kitties from the same “breed.” And when they have kittens, these cats can showcase every length of fur, so this means that a Domestic Medium Hair could give birth to kittens that have long fur or short fur.
So, what makes the Domestic Medium Hair special and what sets them apart? Well, the main difference between the Domestic Medium Hair, the Domestic Longhair, and the Domestic Shorthair is the fact that the Medium Hair has a – you guessed it – medium coat gene that produces its rarer, distinctive fur that’s somewhere between the length of short and long. But, because these cats are related, if you have experience with the Longhair or Shorthair, you will have a really good idea of what a Medium Hair cat will be like.
Breed Traits
Again, like Domestic Longhairs and Domestic Shorthairs, Domestic Medium Hairs have a diverse gene pool and can consist of a variety of different breeds mixed into one cat. Therefore, their temperaments and personalities range widely from super affectionate to independent, and really talkative or active to very quiet, laidback, and docile.
A Range of Personalities Are Expected
Unlike other feline breeds that have particular traits that are expected to come shining through, especially as they grow from kittens to adults and become comfortable in their homes, when you meet one of these kittens, you may not be able to accurately predict what they will be like as they get older. Instead, getting to know each Domestic Medium Hair as an individual is the best way to figure out what their specific needs and preferences are.
For instance, if you adopt a Domestic Medium Hair that wants to spend a lot of time around you, you can take steps to make sure those needs are met, perhaps by playing with a variety of fun toys, such as teaser wands, or snuggling on the couch together. On the other hand, if you have a kitty who’s more comfortable being independent and doing their own thing, you’ll know that too much attention might stress your pet out. So, basically, you’ll want to treat your kitty in a way that they’ll feel loved and secure, based on their personality.
A Friendly Cat That Loves to Be a Part of the Family
On the whole, you can expect Domestic Medium Hairs to make great pets, and they will fit in well in any cat loving family. Many will get along wonderfully with children and other pets, including other cats. So, Domestic Medium Hair kitties are ideal for both small and large families, as well as singles. A feline that can be anyone’s friend!
Because Domestic Medium Hairs tend to have attractive and endearing personalities to match their equally lovely appearance, you may want to adopt more than one so they can keep each other company and give you even more attention and love. You’re sure to quickly fall for their adorable characteristics, their cuddly and inquisitive nature, and their peaceful and quiet demeanor throughout the day (except when it’s feeding time, of course!).
Provide Environmental Enrichment, Fun, and Loving Attention
As with all cat breeds, Domestic Medium Hairs will thrive in a home where they can feel safe and secure, and where they have plenty of environmental enrichment to keep them occupied. Of course, putting up cat trees and a window perch, giving your kitty a variety of toys to play with, and setting aside time to interact with or cuddle with your cat will help them feel at ease and happy.
Also, some of these kitties will absolutely love a catio, while others can be trained to travel or go for a walk on a leash or in a pet stroller. So, if you are looking for an adventure cat, this might be a good choice, but again, some will be more outgoing than others.
Domestic Medium Hair kitties tend to do well when left alone for a few hours, provided that their needs are met, but they still require plenty of attention and interaction to stay happy and healthy. Of course, if you lead a busy life and you are seldom at home, a cat might not be the pet that you should be looking for.
Always remember that, although sometimes independent and at times solitary, a Domestic Medium Hair cat will still require constant care, so make sure you can provide it before making a commitment and adopting one. Many people mistakenly think that cats can do just fine without their owner around, and they might think that cats are the perfect pet for people who work long hours. But cats are just like any other pet, requiring a healthy routine, plenty of care and attention, and a lot of love.
Training a Domestic Medium Hair: What to Anticipate
You should expect that Domestic Medium Hairs will be playful and rambunctious kittens, but they tend to mellow out with age. Properly socialized when they are young, Domestic Medium Hairs will make great lifelong companions.
When it comes to training, it is a good idea to start while your pet is young, and using positive reinforcement is the best way to teach your kitty the rules without creating an environment where they feel scared, anxious, or uncomfortable. Setting rules early on can help ensure your cat will grow up to understand what’s allowed and what isn’t allowed. And with proper socialization, your pet will also get along well with anyone they meet. So, whether you want to stop your cat from scratching the furniture or jumping on the countertop in the kitchen, just keep in mind that the right positive training will help your feline companion understand what you want.
In addition to training your Domestic Medium Hair to follow the rules around the house, you can also have a lot of fun with this kitty by training them to do tricks or maybe even communicate with speech buttons. Depending on your cat’s personality, including how ambitious they are and how willing they are to learn, you might be surprised by how much you can train them to do. So, if you’d like, you can consider buying some cat training tools, like a clicker, target stick, and treats, to start teaching your kitty and using it as a way to bond with your furry companion.
Overall Description
Domestic Medium Hairs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and markings, depending on the breeds that make up their ancestry – once again, just like Domestic Shorthairs and Domestic Longhairs. You might even decide to try one of those cat DNA tests to figure out which breeds came together to make your one-of-a-kind feline.
While cats of some other feline breeds might all look really similar, particularly when it comes to their colors or markings (think: Siamese or Bengal cats), two Domestic Medium Hairs might look completely different. That’s how varied these kitties can be, and they’re all beautiful in their own unique ways! For example, some cats may be lean and long, while others may be short and stocky.
In other words, there isn’t a strict set of physical characteristics with Domestic Medium Hair cats. A lot of it comes down to simple variations. No two cats are ever exactly the same, regardless of breed, but this can especially be the case with Domestic Medium Hairs. And that’s just another one of the many wonderful traits that these cats have: they are charming, pretty, and always one-of-a-kind.
Physical Traits of a Domestic Medium Hair Cat
Despite the myriad differences between cats that are categorized as Domestic Medium Hairs, there are some features that you might be able to easily recognize. For example, generally, the females tend to be smaller than males. Also, when compared to Domestic Shorthair cats, these kitties may weigh more.
Just like their coat is medium in length, these cats also have a medium sized body. And, like other cat breeds, these kitties are muscular, so they can have a lot of energy and impress you with their acrobatics.
The overall appearance of a Domestic Medium Hair is absolutely adorable. With big round eyes that are bright and full of color, triangular ears that point straight up, and a round face that begs to be petted, these eye-catching cats might not be purebred, but they are definitely purely beautiful.
It’s All About the Fur with the Domestic Medium Hair
When you first meet a Domestic Medium Hair, you might need to take a closer look at their appearance to be sure of the breed. But, by looking for certain characteristics, you can get your answer. For example, the main feature that all Domestic Medium Hairs have in common is their luxuriously soft and beautiful double coat.
You might also notice that the hair is longer around certain parts of the body, such as the tail and the neck, but shorter in other areas, like the back. In fact, compared to other Domestic cats, the Medium Hairs have a tail that will grab your attention as well, thanks to its unique appearance due to the longer fur – it’s described as feathery or fluffy. Super cute!
In other words, the Domestic Medium Hair is a cat with a combination of longer and shorter hair all over the body. This is not something that you see with a Domestic Shorthair, who will have short fur all over their body, or a Domestic Longhair, who will have long fur from head to tail.
These Kitties Are Not All That Common
Also worth noting: these cats are not as common as their Domestic Shorthair counterparts. You might not come across them as easily as you would a Shorthair or even a Longhair, so when you do, you’ll know that it’s quite special.
Colors
While some feline breeds might only have certain coat colors or patterns, the possibilities are pretty much endless when it comes to Domestic Medium Hairs. So, if you are looking for an orange cat, a white one, a calico, or anything in between, you might not need to search long before finding a Domestic Medium Hair that matches your preferences. But, as mentioned above, bear in mind that these kitties are generally rarer than their Longhair and Shorthair counterparts.
The Domestic Medium Hair comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, as well as eye colors. Some of the most common patterns include tabby, tortie, patched tabby, solid, and smoke. This means you could have one Domestic Medium Hair cat that is solid black, while another boasts a black and white color combination and another has the stripes of a brown tabby, as just a few examples. And, in terms of eye color, some examples include green, amber, and blue.
Ultimately, the appearance of each cat will depend on their ancestry and genes. Even if you have a mother cat who is ready to give birth, you may not be able to predict what her kittens will look like, unless, perhaps, the parents are almost the same. But, even in that case, you might be surprised when the offspring comes out looking completely different from the parents. It’s just another endearing quality of these varied yet standout felines!
Grooming Requirements
Domestic Medium Hair cats will do a fantastic job of keeping themselves nice and clean by regularly grooming themselves. However, they might really enjoy being brushed, so give it a try to see how it makes them feel. This could be a great way to bond with your pet, and can also help prevent hairballs.
Speaking of hairballs, because Domestic Medium Hairs feature a thick, double coat, they may require regular grooming sessions that will help prevent mats and hairballs. There are various brushes that are designed specifically for felines, and they can make grooming your pet a lot easier and quicker. Basically, with the right brushes and a consistent routine, you can help your Domestic Medium Hair look and feel fabulous by removing loose fur and keeping the skin and coat healthy, soft, and smooth.
Remember, these cats will have a coat that is longer than the average shorthair kitty, so they may require a bit more attention when it comes to grooming them. Generally, a weekly brushing is highly recommended, though owners can opt to groom their cats more often, if necessary. See what your cat needs. For example, if your Domestic Medium Hair is getting older and isn’t able to groom themselves as well as they used to, you might want to brush them more often to help them. Or, you might want to brush your cat more often simply because their luxurious coat is irresistibly soft and you’ll want to relax and unwind with your pet in this manner.
Specialized grooming salons for cats might also help you with the brushing if you need it, but this typically is not required. While an occasional visit could leave your feline friend looking elegant, graceful, and endlessly pretty, if it’s too much of a stressful experience, it’s best to stick with grooming your kitty gently at home. Of course, as it goes with all cats, some loose hair cannot be avoided, especially when you have a pet with a thicker coat, so it’s a good idea to invest in one of the many lint rollers and pet hair cleaners that can come in handy when it comes to keeping your home clean.
Photo credit: alexmak72427/Bigstock; hannadarzy/Bigstock; VadimGuzhva/Bigstock
