Domestic Medium Hair describes a coat, not a breed. Shelters use the label for mixed-ancestry house cats whose fur falls between short and long, with a fuller tail, tufts between the toes and a soft undercoat, but without the heavy ruff of a longhair. They come in every color and pattern, from tabby and tuxedo to calico and solid black. Most adults weigh 6 to 14 pounds and live 12 to 18 years.
That long lifespan means planning for many years of indoor life, including humid summers and cold January mornings. Because ancestry is mixed, size, energy and health vary from cat to cat, and the best guide to temperament is meeting the cat. Expect extra brushing in spring and fall, when the undercoat sheds most, and keep up with yearly vet visits.