The American Shorthair is a true breed of working cat, with a body adapted expressly for this purpose. The general effect is a strongly built, well-balanced, symmetrical cat with conformation displaying power, endurance and agility. They are known for their longevity, robust health, good looks, and amiable personality. They are descended from British cats who arrived in America with the first European settlers, easily transitioning from life as ship’s cats to working farm cats valued for their rat-catching abilities as much as their personalities. Early American cat fanciers were proud of their native cat, and the American Shorthair was one of the first five breeds accepted when the CFA was founded in 1906, as simply the “shorthair”; in 1966, cat fanciers realized that their native shorthaired cat was far from average, and it was renamed the American Shorthair to reflect its uniquely American character. Today’s American Shorthair is successful on the show bench and on the public stage; American Shorthairs have worked in film and advertising for decades, as the iconic Whiskas cat and other mascots.

Type & judging remarks
The body is medium in length, with a slight rise over the hips. The head is broad and strong, with a short powerful muzzle. The overall impression of type is one of muscular cobbiness and athleticism. Most American Shorthairs on today’s show bench are classic tabbies, as this is considered the traditional colour; silver tabbies dominate, although brown and red tabbies are also shown.