Personality and Temperament
The American longhair is not a specific cat breed, although aficionados are encouraging cat fancy associations to recognize this unique feline. For now, the term American longhair is used to indicate a cross between a Persian cat and an American shorthair cat.
American longhair cats are typically medium-sized, reflecting the size and weight of their parents. Their coats come in a variety of colors and patterns and in varying degrees of thickness. There is sometimes confusion concerning the American longhair cat vs the Maine coon cat. This stems from the description of the Maine coon as America's original longhair cat.
Care
Nutrition
Grooming
Exercise
Health
American longhair cats have no special nutritional needs. Their only requirement is a high quality meat-based diet.
Like their Persian parent, the American longhair cat often has a very fine undercoat that requires frequent brushing to prevent mats from forming, and to prevent hairballs.
Regular ear cleaning might be necessary, and you will probably want to clip your cats claws, too.
American longhair cats are playful, but less active than high-energy breeds such as the Abyssinian. These cats need scratching posts and toys, and they will almost certainly appreciate window seats and cat trees.
The average American longhair cat is a healthy, robust individual without any specific health problems. Since these cats are of mixed heritage, they tend to display the best of both breeds.
History
The first American longhair was the result of a breeding between a Persian cat and an American shorthair cat, with the intention of infusing the offspring with the brilliant silver color of the Persian.
The resulting cats, now known as American longhair cats, had pleasant but not clingy personalities and soft coats in different colors.
All American longhair cats have pedigreed parents; each can be traced back to a Persian parent and an American shorthair parent. Some cat fancier associations allow American longhair cats to be registered, however larger organizations do not yet recognize the American longhair as a distinct breed.
The Breed Standard
Eyes
Legs & Paws
Tail
The Breed Standard
Body
Head
Ears
Coat
Color
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