Clay Jenkins
The American Shorthair (ASH) cat, with the scientific name Felis Catus, is believed to be descended from European cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect their cargo from rodents. The American Shorthair is a sturdy, muscular, and refined-looking breed with a short, low-maintenance coat. They are known for their friendly, playful, and mild-mannered personalities, making them excellent pets and a common presence in American households.
What You'll Learn
The American Shorthair is a descendant of European cats
The American Shorthair (ASH) is a breed of domestic cat believed to be descended from European cats. When early settlers sailed from Europe to North America, they carried cats on board to protect their cargo from mice and rats. These cats, likely referred to as "working cats" or "mousers", played an essential role in keeping rodent stowaways from infiltrating the ship's food stores.
One notable example of these feline passengers is the cats that travelled on the Mayflower with the Pilgrims. Upon arrival in the New World, these cats interbred and adapted to their new environment, becoming the progenitors of the American Shorthair breed. The American Shorthair is believed to have been influenced by other breeds, including the British Shorthair, Burmese, and Persian, further contributing to its distinct characteristics.
The American Shorthair is a medium to large-sized breed, with males weighing between 11-15 lbs and females between 6-12 lbs. It has a large head, resembling an oblong with more length than width. The ears are medium-sized and slightly rounded at the tips, and the eyes are large and wide. The neck, legs, and tail are all of medium length and well-muscled.
The American Shorthair is known for its friendly, mild-mannered temperament and is considered a superb pet cat. They are social, playful, and adaptable, making them an excellent addition to families, especially those with children and other pets. However, due to their hunting instincts, small rodent pets should be kept securely when around American Shorthairs.
In terms of health, the American Shorthair is generally a healthy breed, with a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. They are prone to becoming overweight, so it is important to monitor their food intake and encourage activity to prevent weight-related issues.
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They were brought to North America by early settlers to control rodents
The American Shorthair cat, or Felis Catus, is believed to be descended from European cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect their cargo from rodents. These cats, often referred to as 'mousers' or 'ships' cats', played an important role in controlling rat and mouse populations on sailing vessels and in colonies. The cats' hunting abilities helped protect valuable supplies and provisions from being destroyed by rodents.
The practice of bringing cats on ships was common during the early days of exploration and colonisation. For example, cats were among the passengers on the Mayflower, which sailed from Europe to North America carrying the Pilgrims. These cats not only served as pest control on the ship but also in the new colony, keeping rodent populations in check.
Over time, the cats that were brought to North America interbred and adapted to their new environment, developing characteristics that helped them thrive in their new homeland. This led to the creation of the American Shorthair breed, which is now recognised as a distinct breed by various cat associations, such as The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA).
The American Shorthair is known for its sturdy structure, muscular body, and refined alley cat appearance. It is a social, playful, and gentle breed, making it a popular choice for families. Additionally, its low-maintenance coat and overall good health make it an ideal companion for both experienced and novice cat owners.
Today, the American Shorthair is one of the most popular cat breeds in the world, known for its working cat characteristics and all-American origins. Its scientific name, Felis Catus, classifies it within the Felidae family, reflecting its important role in the history of early settlements in North America.
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They are sturdy, muscular, and have a refined alley cat appearance
The American Shorthair Cat is a sturdy, muscular breed with a refined alley cat appearance. This breed is believed to be descended from cats brought over by European settlers to control rodent populations on ships and in their homes. With a muscular body and a refined appearance, the American Shorthair Cat stands out from other breeds. The breed is medium to large in size, with males weighing between 11 and 15 pounds and females weighing between 6 and 12 pounds. The head is relatively large and oblong-shaped, with a wider length than width. The neck, legs, and chest are well-muscled, contributing to their sturdy and powerful build.
The American Shorthair Cat's coat is short and low-maintenance, requiring minimal care. They come in a diverse range of colours and patterns, with over 80 recognised variations. Some common colours include blue-eyed white, brown-patched tabby, smokes, shaded silvers, cameos, and calico van. Additionally, some American Shorthair Cats sport deep tones of black and brown, enhancing their hunting abilities by providing excellent camouflage.
The American Shorthair Cat possesses exceptional physical attributes. They are agile and flexible, capable of squeezing through tight spaces due to their free-floating clavicle bones. Their highly flexible backs have 53 loosely fitting vertebrae, compared to 230 bones in their entire body, compared to a human's 206. They are also incredibly fast, with a top speed of approximately 30 mph over short distances.
In terms of temperament, the American Shorthair Cat is known for its friendly and mild-mannered nature, making it a popular choice for families. They are social, playful, and gentle, getting along well with children, strangers, and other pets. However, due to their natural hunting instincts, small rodent-type pets should be kept out of reach. American Shorthair Cats are intelligent and highly perceptive, with sharp senses of hearing, smell, and night vision.
Overall, the American Shorthair Cat embodies the "All-American" working cat type, combining a sturdy structure with an amiable and playful personality. Their muscular build and refined alley cat appearance distinguish them from other breeds, making them a beloved and sought-after companion for many cat enthusiasts.
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The American Shorthair is a pedigree cat breed
The American Shorthair (ASH) is a pedigree cat breed, with a strict conformation standard set by cat fanciers and North American cat fancier associations such as The International Cat Association (TICA) and the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA). The breed is accepted by all North American cat registries.
The American Shorthair is believed to be descended from European cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect their cargo from mice and rats. These cats interbred and developed characteristics to help them adapt to their new environment and climate. In the early 20th century, a selective breeding program was established to develop the best qualities of these cats.
The name "American Shorthair" was adopted in 1966 to better represent the breed's "all-American" origins and to differentiate it from other shorthaired breeds. The name also reinforces the fact that the breed is a pedigreed breed distinct from the random-bred non-pedigreed domestic shorthaired cats in North America, which may nevertheless resemble the ASH.
The American Shorthair is a medium to large-sized cat breed, with males weighing between 11-15 lbs (5-7 kg) and females weighing between 6-12 lbs (2.75-5.5 kg). They have a muscular body and a refined alley cat appearance, with a short, low-maintenance coat. The head is large and oblong-shaped, with medium-sized ears that are slightly rounded at the tips. The eyes are large and wide, and the neck is medium in length and well-muscled. The legs are medium in length and muscular, and the tail is of medium length.
The American Shorthair is recognised in more than eighty different colours and patterns, ranging from brown-patched tabby to blue-eyed white, silvers, calico van, and many colours in between, including deep tones of black and brown. They are social, playful, and gentle cats, making them an excellent addition to families with children and other pets. However, due to their hunting instincts, small rodent-type pets should be kept out of reach.
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They are social, playful, and gentle
The American Shorthair Cat, or Felis Catus, is a highly social and playful breed. They are known for their gentle demeanour and are a very popular choice of pet, especially for families. Their friendliness makes them a great fit for homes with children and other pets. However, their natural hunting instincts mean small rodent pets should be kept out of reach.
American Shorthairs are descended from cats brought over by European settlers to control rodent populations. They were officially recognised by the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in 1906 as one of their first five recognised cat breeds. They are a sturdy, muscular breed with a refined alley cat appearance. Their coats are short and low-maintenance, and they come in a wide variety of colours and patterns.
American Shorthairs are typically medium to large in size, with males being larger than females. They have short, rounded heads, medium-sized ears with slightly rounded tips, and large, wide eyes. Their legs are medium in length and muscular, and their tails are of medium length. They are natural athletes, with powerful, well-developed bodies.
In terms of personality, American Shorthairs are known for their playful and gentle nature. They are social cats that enjoy the company of people and other animals, but they do not require constant attention. They are easygoing and adaptable, doing well both indoors and outdoors. American Shorthairs are also intelligent and can be trained to do tricks or play games. Their playful and curious nature means they benefit from daily play and exercise to stay healthy and stimulated.
Overall, the American Shorthair is a social, playful, and gentle breed that makes a wonderful companion for individuals and families alike. They are easy to care for, with their low-maintenance coats and adaptable personalities. With their friendly demeanour and athletic build, they embody the "All-American" working cat type.
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Frequently asked questions
The scientific name for the American Domestic Shorthair cat, or American Shorthair (ASH), is Felis Catus.
The American Domestic Shorthair cat is believed to be descended from European cats brought to North America by early settlers to protect their cargo from rodents.
The American Domestic Shorthair cat is a medium to large-sized breed with males weighing between 11-15 lbs and females weighing between 6-12 lbs. They have muscular bodies with well-developed shoulders, powerful chests, and strong hind legs. Their coats can come in a variety of colours and patterns, including brown-patched tabby, blue-eyed white, and deep tones of black and brown.
