American Shorthair

The American Shorthair

Originally known as the Domestic Shorthair, the American Shorthair is truly
America's cat. The Shorthairs' ancestors came to America from Europe with the early
settlers. Records show that the famous Mayflower had several working cats aboard her on
her famous voyage to the new world. Also, written records exist that mention the cats that
lived with the colonists at Jamestown in 1609. These cats were working members of their
communities and valued for their contributions to the well being of these early
settlements. Ever since that time, this breed has patrolled farms and stables for mice and
rats all over the country.

      In the early 20th century, foreign breeds arriving on these shores threatened the
distinctive look and temperament of the native shorthair breed. Admirers of the American
Shorthair began acquire the finest examples of the breed that they could find. They set up
selective breeding programs based on these individuals to preserve this beautiful and
unique breed of cats. The breed was officially recognized by the Cat Fancier's
Association (CFA) in 1904 as one of its first five breeds. The very first registered
American Shorthair was named Buster Brown. In 1966 the breed registry changed its
name from Domestic Shorthair to American Shorthair. The move was made to accentuate
it all American heritage and to distinguish it from other shorthair breeds.

      The American Shorthair is famous for its amiable temperament. Its' quiet
disposition toward children and dogs has made the American Shorthair a family favorite
for many years. This breed tends to be of moderate to large size, healthy, strong , well
balance and long-lived. They are independent, lively, playful cats that retain their
playfulness well into old age. The American Shorthair routinely is found in published
lists of the top ten most popular cats.

      The American shorthair is an extraordinarily beautiful breed and comes in over
eighty recognized colors and patterns: solid colors, shaded colors, smokes, tabbies,
particolors and bicolors. One of the most beautiful color patterns is the silver tabby. The
silver tabby has dense black tiger type stripes over a clear silvery background. It way or
may not have white markings as well. So popular is this color pattern that more than one
third of all American Shorthairs are now silver tabby. This color is so striking that cats
that have it are often used in advertising or in the movies. The second most popular color
for American Shorthairs is brown tabby. A brown tabby has black tiger markings over a
brown background.

The American Shorthair cat is a sturdy American original with winning ways and
comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns. Give the American Shorthair a closer look. A
gentle, loving, loyal companion and also a fierce mouse hunter, the American Shorthair
can and has filled many roles over the years. This cat may be exactly what you are
looking for in a new companion.