Domestic Medium Hair is how shelters describe mixed-ancestry cats whose coats fall between short and long. Expect a fuller tail, tufts between the toes and a soft undercoat, without the heavy ruff of a true longhair. They come in every color and pattern, from tabby and tuxedo to calico and solid black.
Because ancestry is mixed, size, personality and health vary from cat to cat. Most adults weigh 6 to 14 pounds and live 12 to 18 years indoors, so adoption is a long commitment. Many are adaptable and affectionate once settled, though a shy cat may need a quiet week or two. The coat sheds more in spring and fall, and meeting the cat tells you more than the label does.