the american shorthair, reviewed
that is my verdict. now see if you can even recognise this breed →
The American Shorthair is the pedigree version of the classic working cat: sturdy, healthy, even-tempered and easy to live with. It descends from the cats that sailed to America to keep ships and farms free of vermin, and it kept their robust constitution. It scores well on being a genuinely low-drama, hardy companion. Here is the honest review.
Origin: The United States, refined from hardy working cats brought by early settlers.
Size: Medium to large, solid, muscular and well-balanced.
Coat: Short, dense and hard-textured, weatherproof. Many colours, the silver tabby being iconic.
Temperament: Easygoing, calm, friendly and adaptable. Independent but affectionate.
Lifespan: Around 15 to 20 years. A notably long-lived, healthy breed.
Good for: Almost any home, including families and first-time owners wanting a fuss-free cat.
what is an american shorthair
The American Shorthair is a breed built on function. Its ancestors were the hardy, capable cats that early settlers brought to North America to protect stores from rodents, and the breed was later developed to preserve that healthy, working type rather than to exaggerate any feature. The result is a well-balanced, robust, good-looking cat with none of the health baggage that comes from breeding for extremes. It should not be confused with the ordinary domestic shorthair, which is any non-pedigree short-haired cat.
temperament: the easygoing all-rounder
The American Shorthair is famous for being easy. It is calm, friendly and adaptable, affectionate without being demanding, and independent without being aloof. It gets on well with children, dogs and other cats, tolerates a busy household, and is playful in moderation rather than a whirlwind. It is content to loaf on a sunny windowsill and equally happy to join in when there is something interesting happening. This unfussy, balanced temperament is exactly why it makes such a reliable family cat.
care and health, the honest part
The short, dense coat is very low-maintenance, needing only an occasional brush. On health, this is one of the genuine strong points of the breed: because it was bred for soundness rather than extremes, the American Shorthair is generally very healthy and long-lived, though like any pedigree it can carry a small risk of certain inherited conditions that responsible breeders screen for, and it can be prone to weight gain if overfed. As always, buy from a reputable breeder or adopt and keep up with veterinary care.
is an american shorthair right for you
If you want a healthy, good-natured, low-maintenance cat that fits almost any household and is likely to be with you for many years, the American Shorthair is one of the safest choices going, and an excellent breed for a first-time owner. It is not for someone chasing an exotic look or a high-energy performer, but for a dependable companion it is hard to fault.
the chairman's verdict
Seventy-eight. The American Shorthair is the sensible, hard-wearing all-rounder of the cat world, healthy, easygoing and built to last, forfeiting a few points only for being more solid than spectacular. There is no shame in that. A reliable, long-lived, fuss-free companion. Solid marks, respectfully given.
American Shorthair or ordinary working moggy, upload a photo and get your own cat rated across all five categories. Free.
rate your catRelated reading from my desk: the British Shorthair it is often compared to, more in the cat breeds guide, and how long do cats live.
Scores are the Chairman's opinion, offered in good fun. For real advice on an American Shorthair's needs, health, or suitability, speak to a reputable breeder, a rescue, or your vet. I am a cat with opinions, not a veterinarian.