American Shorthair
Encyclopedia
The American Shorthair (ASH) is a breed of cat believed to be descended from European domestic cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect valuable cargo from mice and rats. According to the Cat Fancier's Association, during the period from 2006–2007, it was the 8th most popular breed of cat
in the United States
.
, they carried cats on board to protect the stores from mice. Many of these cats "settled" in the New World, interbred, and developed special characteristics to help them cope with their new life and climate. Early this century, a selective breeding program was established to develop the best qualities of these cats. Both the American and the Domestic Shorthairs are called mousers because they caught mice on ships.
. It is also known as a "working cat".
American Shorthairs are a pedigreed cat with strict standards and a distinctive appearance, as set by the various Cat Fanciers' Associations worldwide.
Originally known as the Domestic Shorthair, the breed was renamed in 1966 as the "American Shorthair" to better represent its "all-American" character and to differentiate it from other shorthaired breeds. The name "American Shorthair" also reinforces the notion that the American Shorthair is distinct from non-pedigreed, short-haired cats in the United States.
A non-pedigreed shorthaired cat (called a Domestic Shorthair
) might resemble an American Shorthair, just as another non-pedigreed cat might look like a Siamese
, Persian or Maine Coon
. The difference, however, is that American Shorthairs are a purebred cat and are recognized as such by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).
According to the CFA, American Shorthairs are low-maintenance cats that are generally healthy, easy-going, affectionate with owners and social with strangers. Males are significantly larger than females, weighing eleven to fifteen pounds when fully grown. Mature females weigh eight to twelve pounds when they achieve full growth at three to four years of age. American Shorthairs can live fifteen to twenty years, like most felines, and often only require annual vaccinations, veterinary checkups, and a quality diet. These cats have long tails and usually slender bodies.
The American Shorthair is recognized in more than eighty different colors and patterns ranging from the brown-patched tabby to the blue-eyed white, the shaded silvers, smokes and cameos to the calico van, and many colors in between. Some even come in deep tones of black, brown, or other blends and combinations. The most well-known American Shorthair color today is the silver tabby, with dense black markings set on a silver background.
Cat
The cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
History
When settlers sailed from Europe to North AmericaNorth America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
, they carried cats on board to protect the stores from mice. Many of these cats "settled" in the New World, interbred, and developed special characteristics to help them cope with their new life and climate. Early this century, a selective breeding program was established to develop the best qualities of these cats. Both the American and the Domestic Shorthairs are called mousers because they caught mice on ships.
Characteristics
A very athletic cat, American Shorthair has a larger, leaner, and more powerfully built body than its relation, the British ShorthairBritish Shorthair
The British Shorthair is a domesticated cat whose features make it a popular breed in cat shows. It has been the most popular breed of cat registered by the UK's Governing Council of the Cat Fancy since 2001, when it overtook the Persian breed....
. It is also known as a "working cat".
American Shorthairs are a pedigreed cat with strict standards and a distinctive appearance, as set by the various Cat Fanciers' Associations worldwide.
Originally known as the Domestic Shorthair, the breed was renamed in 1966 as the "American Shorthair" to better represent its "all-American" character and to differentiate it from other shorthaired breeds. The name "American Shorthair" also reinforces the notion that the American Shorthair is distinct from non-pedigreed, short-haired cats in the United States.
Domestic shorthaired cat
A domestic shorthaired cat is a cat fancy term used to describe a shorthaired cat that does not have a pedigree or belong to a recognized cat breed...
) might resemble an American Shorthair, just as another non-pedigreed cat might look like a Siamese
Siamese (cat)
The Siamese is one of the first distinctly recognized breeds of Oriental cat. The origins of the breed are unknown, but it is believed to be from Thailand. In Thailand, where they are one of several native breeds, they are called Wichian Mat...
, Persian or Maine Coon
Maine Coon
The Maine Coon is a breed of domestic cat with a distinctive physical appearance and valuable hunting skills. It is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America, specifically native to the state of Maine, where it is the official State Cat....
. The difference, however, is that American Shorthairs are a purebred cat and are recognized as such by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).
According to the CFA, American Shorthairs are low-maintenance cats that are generally healthy, easy-going, affectionate with owners and social with strangers. Males are significantly larger than females, weighing eleven to fifteen pounds when fully grown. Mature females weigh eight to twelve pounds when they achieve full growth at three to four years of age. American Shorthairs can live fifteen to twenty years, like most felines, and often only require annual vaccinations, veterinary checkups, and a quality diet. These cats have long tails and usually slender bodies.
The American Shorthair is recognized in more than eighty different colors and patterns ranging from the brown-patched tabby to the blue-eyed white, the shaded silvers, smokes and cameos to the calico van, and many colors in between. Some even come in deep tones of black, brown, or other blends and combinations. The most well-known American Shorthair color today is the silver tabby, with dense black markings set on a silver background.