American Shorthair

The American Shorthair has a below-average activity level, high degree of playfulness, moderate need for attention, average amount of affection toward its owners, low level of vocality, high amount of docility, good portion of intelligence, severe independence, above-average healthiness and hardiness, virtually no need for grooming, and almost pitch-perfect amount of compatibility with children and other pets. These American Shorthairs have been around since the times of the Mayflower when they too worked just like the Pilgrims in barns and farms. The American Shorthair has its own mythology, much like the pioneers that first sailed over from Europe. First brought over to tend to mice, pests, snakes, lizards, and other pesky inhabitants that could get at grain stores, they eventually adapted to a variety of environmental and working conditions over the nearly 400 years that they've been here. It is not unusual that many people think the American Shorthair is the basic archetype of every American house cat. Because the breed has been so diluted over the centuries, it looks just like your average no-breed cat. However, efforts were taken at the turn of the 20th century to preserve the key qualities of the American Shorthair: resilience, docile temperament, and inherent physical beauty. For awhile, they were mistreated on the show circuit because they appeared so non-distinct. After all, most cats in peoples' homes are American Shorthairs, or slight variations thereof. Many people are not even aware that it is a pedigreed breed. For that reason, it was treated with contempt for cat fanciers for a long time. The key differences between a domestic randomly bred cat and an American Shorthair are that the former will not breed true every time. The length of hair, mild temperament, and strength are not to be counted upon. For awhile, it was called the Domestic Shorthair, but to avoid it being confused with domestic cats in general, the name was changed in the mid 60's, at around the same time it began getting some press on the show circuit. Similar to the Pilgrims who disembarked from England to seek independence, the American Shorthair likes its own independence. It doesn't like being fondled, cuddled, or harassed by annoying children. However, it doesn't mind being stroked, caressed, and fed. It is the embodiment of a happy medium in every way. It is neither too affectionate nor too distant, neither too big nor too small, neither disagreeable or agreeable. It is the cat for someone that wants to have a cat living in the background in their life, accessible when the owner has time for giving it attention. This breed has a reputation as a working cat, and their natural ruggedness of disposition generally give them a lifespan of 15 to 20 years if taken care of properly with veterinarian care and regular check-ups. You can spot the American Shorthair because more than a third of them are silver tabby. It is powerfully built and symmetrical, bordering on medium to large, with well-developed musculature and an agile, enduring, strident gait and aspect. It comes in all colors from calico to brown and red to cream. It has a beautiful open and welcoming expression on its face all the time, and it is a cat you can trust as much for its resilience as for its quiet affection. This cat is the epitome of the American outlook and work ethic.

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