American Shorthair Kitten Breed

This tough breed owes much to the working cats which were taken to the USA by early settlers but its pedigree origins go back only to a red tabby tomcat, surprisingly named Belle, sent from Britain at the beginning of the twentieth century, which was the first registered in the USA under the name Shorthair. They were later known as Domestic Shorthairs, but since 1966 American Shorthair has been the official name. This breed is less square in shape than the British Shorthair and has amore oblong head, larger ears and longer legs. Its fur is hard to the touch compared with the soft resilience of the plush British Shorthair. To help strengthen the American differences the registration of non-pedigree cats and kittens was permitted for a time but no outcrosses are now permitted. A specifically American breed, little known elsewhere, it is recognized by overseas branches of the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) but not by the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy nor the Cat Association of Britain (CA of Britain). These are medium to large cats with a strong, well-balanced build. Their body length from breastbone to rear should be slighter longer than the height to the shoulder blades from the ground and the tail should be. As long as the distance from the shoulder blades to its base. The CFA standard emphasizes that they should have the endurance and agility of working cats and strong, long jaws with both level and scissor bites to grip and deal with prey. Mature males should have a definite jowl. Regional and seasonal variation in coat thickness is permitted but it should be dense enough to protect from moisture, cold and superficial skin injuries.

Solidly built with medium longlegs, rounded paws and medium long tail tapering to an abrupt blunt end.

Large and full-cheeked, slightly longer than wide with slightly rounded ears, a continuous curve from the forehead over the top of the head and medium long nose.

Large and wide, the upper lid with an almond-shape curve, the lower fully rounded, set sloping slightly. Brilliant gold except blue or odd-eyed with white; green or hazel with silver tabbies; green or blue-green with tipped silvers.

Short, thick, even and hard in texture.

Self white, blue, red and cream; chinchilla and shaded silver; shell and shaded cameo; black, blue, cameo and tortoiseshell smoke;