Cat Breed Guide NZ
Templecat
The Templecat is a shorthaired version of the Birman developed in New Zealand, featuring the signature pointed coat, blue eyes, and white gloves in an easy-care, plush short coat.
Photo Gallery
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Breed Snapshot
- Size
- medium
- Lifespan
- 12-16 years
- Origin
- New Zealand
- Temperament
- Sweet-natured, intelligent, quiet, and affectionate; retains the calm temperament and pointed markings of the Birman but in an easy-care short coat
- NZ Price
- NZD $500–$1,000 from NZCF-registered breeders
- Annual Vet Cost
- Being enriched
Personality Scores
NZ Lifestyle Fit
Templecat is being reviewed for apartment, section, and rural Kiwi lifestyles. Use the snapshot and care notes while the NZ suitability profile is completed.
Overview
The Templecat is a distinct breed developed in New Zealand during the 1990s as a shorthaired counterpart to the Sacred Birman. It was created from outcrosses designed to introduce new colours and patterns into the Birman lines, which naturally produced shorthaired offspring. The Templecat retains all the defining characteristics of the Birman—including the striking Himalayan pointed coat pattern, deep blue eyes, and the legendary pure white "gloves" on the front paws and "gauntlets" on the back legs—but features a short, dense, and plush coat that is exceptionally easy to maintain.
NZ ownership fit
Templecats inherit the gentle, quiet, and affectionate personality of the Birman, making them superb companions for apartment living and family environments alike. They are highly intelligent, quiet, and bond deeply with their owners, offering a calmer alternative to more demanding shorthaired breeds.
Care priorities
The plush, short coat of the Templecat requires far less grooming than the traditional longhaired Birman, needing only a brush once or twice a week to keep it in peak condition. Ensure they receive regular dental checkups and high-quality nutrition. Because Birmans are the only approved outcross, breed lines in New Zealand are closely managed for health and temperament.
Fun Facts
Fact 1
Templecat facts are being enriched with NZ-specific editorial review.
Fact 2
Check back as the PetMall breed library expands.
Fact 3
The care profile above is kept current for Kiwi pet owners.
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