Cat Breeds

American Shorthair

                Are you looking to get a new cat soon? Great! You may want to consider a

purebred cat. There are many breeds that can be found in this country, each with its own

characteristic appearance and temperament and history. Think carefully about what you

would characteristics you would like to see in your new companion. Perhaps you would

care to consider:

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.