The American Shorthair cat is the most popular cat in the U.S. More families in America own this breed than any other breed of cat. American Shorthair makes a good family pet and is known to be friendly with other pets and good with children. The breed is also known for its longevity and overall social disposition.

This breed was once referred to as the “Domestic Shorthair,” but the name was officially changed in 1966 to differentiate it from other shorthaired breeds. A true American breed, it is believed that the stock from which the American Shorthair has been bred was originally brought to the New World on the Mayflower. A true pedigreed American Shorthair, like other pedigreed cats, will always produce kittens with the same coat quality, temperament, and physical characteristics.

The American Shorthair is a strong, well-proportioned cat who is slightly longer than it is tall. They are symmetrical animals, with the tail the same length as the measurement from the shoulder blades to the tip of the tail. They have medium-sized ears that should be twice as far apart as the eyes are.

Adult male American Shorthairs usually weigh around eleven to fifteen pounds. By contrast, the much smaller adult female American cats usually weigh only around eight to twelve pounds. The life expectancy of the American Shorthair is around fifteen to twenty years.

There is a wide variety of choices of coat color in the American Shorthair breed. The breed is officially recognized in more than eighty different colors and patterns. Some popular colors include pure white, black, and classic tabby coloring. The eyes, nose, and pad color of the American Shorthair will always match the coat color. Although they are always shorthaired, individual cat’s coat thickness and texture may vary based on the climate of their native region.

American Shorthairs do not require much grooming. Occasional brushing will generally suffice. They are hardy cats that are not prone to any particular illnesses or diseases, but have a tendency towards obesity. This can easily be monitored and controlled through proper diet, portion control, and regular physical activity.