American Shorthaired Cat Breed

Body Size - Medium
Coat Length - Short
Life span - 15 Years

American Shorthaired Description

This is the original Native American shorthaired cat. This breed has a medium to large, muscular and powerful body. The face is rounded. The coat is short and dense. Many colors and coat patterns are accepted. The classic coat pattern is the tabby cat, defined as having an unbroken darker line to the side of each eye, a "butterfly" shape over the back, an "M" between the eyes, and a "bullseye" on each side. The mackerel tabby is similar to the classic tabby but the markings are more broken and less distinct. Color variations within the tabby include silver, red, brown, blue and cream. Calico (white, orange and black) and tortoiseshell (black and orange) color patterns also are accepted, as are solid and bicolor coats.

American Shorthaired History

The first American Shorthairs were bred from cats brought over on the Mayflower and other ships carrying pilgrims and explorers to the New World. This animal was, therefore, developed to be a working cat, hunting rodents to protect grain supplies on ships and farms. The American Shorthair was one of the first five breeds recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association.

American Shorthaired Traits

These cats are good family companions. They have a gentle disposition yet are good hunters. American Shorthairs are adaptable to many situations.

American Shorthaired Health

No American Shorthaired breed specific health problems are reported.

American Shorthaired Summary

It is common for people to confuse any shorthaired cat with an American Shorthair, or to assume their non-pedigreed shorthaired cat is an American Shorthair. While it is true that any shorthaired cat can look like a true American Shorthair, only those animals that can produce kittens that have the same body conformation, coat quality, and temperament, that is, those that "breed true" can be considered true American Shorthair cats. Non-pedigreed shorthaired cats in the United States are most commonly called Domestic Shorthairs to differentiate them from their purebred relatives. Calico (orange, black and white) and tortoiseshell (black and orange) cats are almost always female. Black and orange coat colors are carried on the same chromosomes that determine gender, specifically on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes and so can carry orange on one and black on the other, and exhibit both colors. Normal male animals have only one X chromosome and so can carry either orange or black, but not both. If both colors are present on a male cat, that suggests that he has an abnormal chromosome complement; male calico and tortoiseshell cats usually are sterile. The American Shorthair is a true breed of working cat. The conformation should be adapted for this with no part of the anatomy so exaggerated as to foster weakness. The general effect should be that of a strongly built, well balanced, symmetrical cat with conformation indicating power, endurance, and agility.