American Shorthair: Characteristics, Personality, and Breed Information

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Origin

United States

Height

25 - 36 cm

Adult weight

4 - 7 kg

Life Span

12–17 years

Personality and Temperament

Friendly, personable, and easy to care for, the American Shorthair cat shares many things in common with the Domestic Shorthair. The main difference is that American Shorthair cats always share common characteristics with one another, while Domestic Shorthair cats display various trades from the breeds in their backgrounds.

This can cause some confusion as the American Shorthair was originally named the Domestic Shorthair. The truth is, American Shorthair cats are a breed of their own!

Care

Nutrition

Grooming

Exercise

Health

American Shorthair cats have no special nutritional needs in comparison to most other domestic cats. We recommend feeding your American Shorthair cat a healthy, balanced diet of high-quality cat food.

American Shorthair cats offer low maintenance in the grooming department. While you can get away with never brushing this cat, we recommend using a fine, or a soft brush to remove loose hair from your pet's coat at least once per week. This helps keep your furniture cleaner, plus it reduces the likelihood of hairballs.

American Shorthair cats are moderately active by nature. Without enough exercise, this breed is prone to obesity. You can help prevent this by ensuring that your American Shorthair cat has access to toys, and by encouraging active play.

These cats come from a long line of hunters and they appreciate interactive toys and laser beams. Like other cats, the American Shorthair loves to climb. A cat tree will save your drapes from damage while giving your pet the perfect vantage point and a cozy nap spot.

While American Shorthair cats generally enjoy good health, they are prone to a few issues, with obesity being the most common.

There are two other known health problems that occur in American Shorthairs: Hereditary hip dysplasia affects some members of the breed, and a form of cardiac disease called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy causes some American Shorthairs to have enlarged hearts. These problems affect only a small percentage of cats, yet they are worth mentioning.

History

When European colonizers first came to America, they arrived in ships—and they brought cats with them! These hardy mousers were the predecessors to the breed we know and love today as the American Shorthair cat.

As time passed, other cat breeds made their way to America, and the American Shorthair began to stand out as a distinct breed with different characteristics that set it apart from the rest.

The original bloodline was strengthened by an infusion of British Shorthair DNA. Still, American Shorthair cats have rounder, softer body shapes then their cousins from across the pond. You probably won't be surprised to learn that American Shorthairs starred in the first cat show ever held in the United States, in 1895.

Cat fanciers recorded the first-ever breeding between two American Shorthair cats in 1904. Since then, this breed has remained one of the most popular in the United States.

Did You Know?

Even though the breed is distinctly American, these cats are popular worldwide and is recognized by The International Cat Association.

Did You Know?

Whatever your favorite cat color, you're likely to find an American Shorthair to match. There are more than 80 recognized American Shorthair cat colors and patterns.

Did You Know?

Thanks to their generally good health, American Shorthair cats have long life expectancies, often exceeding 15 years.

The Breed Standard

Eyes

The American Shorthair has large, rounded eyes with half-almond shaped upper lids and distinctly rounded lower lids. There should be at least one eye width between the eyes, and the upper corners should be set slightly higher than the lower corners. American Shorthair eye colors vary between gold and green. Blue eyes are also acceptable, as are two different colored eyes.

Legs & Paws

The American Shorthair cat has strong, stocky legs that may appear somewhat short and less elegant than the legs of many other cats breeds. This breed's paws are strong, round, and somewhat wide. Paw pad color typically corresponds to nose leather color, with many different variations depending on the cat's color and pattern.

Tail

American Shorthair cats have long, proportional tails that are a little wider at the base with a slight taper toward the end. The tail is often carried level or at a slightly upward angle to the body.

The Breed Standard

Body

The American Shorthair exudes power, confidence, and grace. Their bodies are muscular and compact, with a rounded shape that's as cuddly as it is cute.

Head

It's easy to distinguish an American Shorthair from a domestic shorthair by looking at the head shape. These cats have distinctly rounded heads with prominent cheeks and fleshy whisker pads. Many American Shorthairs have prominent jowls; this feature is particularly noticeable in intact males.

Ears

An American Shorthair cat has medium-sized ears with rounded tips, set wide apart on the head and not overly large at the base.

Coat

This breed has a short but lustrous coat with ample body and an even texture. The coat should appear soft and healthy.

Color

American Shorthair cats come in every color and pattern except for pointed as in Asian breeds such as the Siamese. Tabby, tortoiseshell, smoke, blue, white, and black colors and patterns are all acceptable. In all, the breed standard allows more than 80 acceptable American Shorthair colors and patterns.

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American Shorthair

Personality and Temperament

Care

Nutrition

Grooming

Exercise

Health

History

The Breed Standard

Eyes

Legs & Paws

Tail

The Breed Standard

Body

Head

Ears

Coat

Color

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