History

They aren’t listed on the manifest, but the cats were undoubtedly among the passengers and crew who disembarked from the Mayflower when it arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. Their uncanny cleverness endeared them to the ship’s crews. They made their way to the New World even earlier, on ships that carried settlers to the Jamestown Colony in Virginia, Spanish explorers to Florida, and Vikings to Newfoundland. Some of the descendants of these seafaring cats, known prosaically as shorthairs, or domestic shorthairs, became what we know today as American shorthairs.

These cats were popular on land and at sea. Farmers, merchants, and homeowners all needed a good cat to protect their food supplies from mice, rats, and other vermin. Shorthairs were strong, hardy animals, well adapted to the harsh conditions of the untamed continent. A 1634 publication credits these hunters with keeping the crops of a New England colony free from squirrels and chipmunks. From their arrival on the coast, they traveled west with the colonists and prospered.

By 1895, the "shorthairs" had made enough of an impression on people that they were exhibited at the first cat show in the United States. The Cat Fanciers Association recognized them as a breed in 1906. To differentiate them from random-breed cats, also known as domestic shorthairs, the purebred felines were given the name American Shorthair in 1966. The cats are recognized by all registries.

Size and longevity

The American Shorthair weighs between 7 and 12 pounds and can live 15 to 20 years.

Personality

The American Shorthair retains his hunting skills, but is more likely to become a family companion, a job he excels at. He has a mild temperament, being calm but not comatose. The American Shorthair is moderately active and enjoys a good playtime as much as any cat, but he does not demand too much attention or activity. As befits a well-bred working-class cat, he is intelligent and enjoys playing with puzzle and interactive toys. He has a sociable nature and is not one to hide under the bed when visitors arrive. He is a placid cat, but does not particularly like to be carried. Allow him to stand on all fours. He may or may not be a cat, but he will always appreciate having a place next to you on the couch or at the end of the bed.

Health

Both purebred and mixed breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. American Shorthairs are generally healthy, but be sure to ask the breeder what health problems affect their lineage and what testing has been done for those that are genetic in nature.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a type of heart disease, has been observed in the breed, but is not yet known to be genetic.

Interview

The American Shorthair's coat is easy to maintain with a few brushings a week to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils. The thickness of the coat and the amount of hair it sheds vary depending on the climate and time of year.

Brush your teeth to prevent periodontal disease. Daily dental hygiene is best, but weekly brushing is better than nothing. Trim your nails every two weeks. Wipe the corners of your eyes with a soft, damp cloth to remove spills. Use a separate piece of cloth for each eye to avoid spreading infection. Check your ears weekly. If they look dirty, clean them with a cotton ball or soft cloth lightly dampened with a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water. Avoid using cotton swabs, which can damage the inside of your ear.

American Shorthairs love to eat! This makes them easily obese. To prevent obesity, measure their food instead of feeding them without counting.

Keep the litter box spotlessly clean. Cats are very particular about bathroom hygiene and a dirty box can encourage them to use other areas of the house.

It is a good idea to keep an American Shorthair as an indoor cat to protect him from diseases carried by other cats, attacks by dogs or coyotes, and other dangers that cats face when outdoors, such as being hit by a car. Keeping him indoors also protects birds and wildlife from this skilled hunter. American Shorthairs that go outdoors also run the risk of being stolen by someone who would like to have such a beautiful cat without paying for it.

Coat color

The American Shorthair has the body of a working cat: stocky, muscular, and strong. Its build gives it the agility and stamina it needs as a top-notch stalker. Its highly muscular legs make it capable of jumping and climbing to obtain its furry or feathered prey. It is a medium to large sized cat, slightly longer than it is tall.

A large head with big cheeks gives the American Shorthair a sweet, open expression. It has medium-sized ears that are slightly rounded at the tips and large, wide-set eyes.

Their short, thick coat comes in a wide assortment of colors and patterns: solid, tabby, calico, tortoiseshell, bicolor, particolor and more. The classic silver tabby pattern is probably the most popular of all.

Children and other pets

The American Shorthair, both laid-back and playful, is an ideal choice for families with children and cat-loving dogs. He can learn tricks and enjoys the attention he gets from children who treat him politely and respectfully. He will get along well with dogs if they are not a problem for him. He is an experienced hunter, but he can learn to leave pet birds or other small animals alone if they are introduced to him at a young age. When in doubt, separation is best. Always introduce pets, even other cats, slowly and in a controlled environment.