American Shorthair
The sturdy, silver-striped all-rounder
The American Shorthair is descended from the European working cats that sailed with early settlers to keep ships and stores free of mice. Over generations, the tough, healthy ones survived, and people began to show the best examples. The breed was called the Domestic Shorthair until 1966, when it was renamed to set it apart from ordinary moggies.
It looks a little like a brown or silver tabby moggy, and that is the point: a strong, practical, good-natured cat.
American Shorthair at a glance
- Origin
- United States
- Size
- Medium to large
- Weight
- Females 3.5 to 5.5 kg, males 4.5 to 7 kg
- Lifespan
- Often 15 to 20 years
- Coat
- Short, dense and hard-wearing
- Colours
- Silver tabby is the best known, but around 80 colours and patterns are accepted
Personality scorecard
- Energy
- 3 out of 5
- Affection
- 3 out of 5
- Chattiness
- 2 out of 5
- Grooming needed
- 1 out of 5
- Good with children
- 4 out of 5
- Good with other pets
- 4 out of 5
Our own rough guide. Every cat is different.
What they look like
A powerful, well-muscled cat with a broad chest, a large, slightly squared head, full cheeks and wide-set eyes. The classic colour is silver tabby, with bold black markings on a silver ground, though brown, red, cream and bicolour cats are all seen. The coat is thick and dense, a little coarse, to shed rain and cold.
Personality
Easygoing, adaptable and sociable without being clingy. American Shorthairs tend to enjoy play, keep their hunting instincts well into adulthood, and are usually good with children and other pets. They are not very vocal and cope with a busy household.
Care and grooming
Very little grooming: a weekly brush, more in moulting season. Give them plenty of play and climbing to keep their hunting side happy, and measure meals, because this is a breed that is happy to eat more than it needs.
Health to know about
Generally a robust breed. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has been recorded, and a DNA test exists for one mutation found in the breed, though it cannot rule out the condition on its own. Obesity and dental disease are the day-to-day worries.
Could suit
- Families and first-time owners
- Homes with other pets
- People who want a low-maintenance coat and a sensible, friendly cat
Think twice if
- If you want a lap cat who is always on you
- If you want a very talkative cat
- If you cannot watch portion sizes
“Silver stripes, strong opinions about dinner. A proper working cat in a very good coat.”
Name ideas for a American Shorthair
- Stripe
- Tinsel
- Dusty
- Penny
- Silver
- Sterling
- Ziggy
- Pepper
- Mabel
- Bandit
Want more? Try the cat name generator, or find out their age in human years with the cat age calculator.
Questions people ask
Is an American Shorthair the same as a domestic shorthair?
Not exactly. The breed started as ordinary American working cats, but the American Shorthair is a registered breed with a standard for build and coat, while a domestic shorthair is any mixed-breed short-haired cat.
Are American Shorthairs good family cats?
Yes, they tend to be easy-going, playful and tolerant, which suits families, though children should always be gentle.
How long do American Shorthairs live?
Often 15 to 20 years, helped by the breed’s tough, working-cat background.
Do American Shorthairs shed a lot?
They shed moderately, more in spring and autumn. A weekly brush is usually enough.
Other breeds to meet
This is a friendly overview, not veterinary advice. Ask your vet about your own cat.
