American Shorthair: Your Best Companion

The ancestors of the American Shorthair arrived in North America together with the first settlers from Europe. There is evidence that there were several cats on Mayflower ship that came to America from the British Isles. They hunted rats on the ship and thus saved the valuable cargo.

During a long time after that the "working cats" as they called them lived next to the immigrants. They finally affirmed themselves as truly American cats. Their beauty and excellent health have been valued as much as their hunting skills.

The weight of an American Shorthair can come up to 8 kilos.

Cat Fancier's Association officially admitted this breed as one of the five breeds that were first to be registered in 1906.

They are affectionate to their owner and very faithful. But they like to stay independent and appreciate their personal space.

You do not need to bathe these cats if it's not necessary. Usually they cope with their furry coat pretty well.

The evaluation of an American Shorthair usually depends on the type, color, fur quality and temper.

American Shorthair has at least 80 different kinds of colors: white, black, blue, red, cream, cameo, smoke, bi-color, different tabby colors. But it goes without saying that the most popular color is the silver tabby, with dense black spots against silver background. In the USA there are nurseries specializing exclusively in this color.

It is difficult to imagine a better companion than an American Shorthair. At home, in the USA, this pet is considered the best "family cat". And for a good reason: these "Americans" are able to be on good terms with any member of a family, both four-legged and two-legged. They are sociable, friendly, open and easily integrate in any kind of family, big or small. Their readiness to play is most likely to please children. The one who at least one time in their life yielded to the temptation to buy this cat would hardly want to keep another kind of cat at home.

Any newbie can cope with this breed, even the one who has never had a cat. American Shorthair adapts easily to new circumstances and surroundings. It resists stress very well and it does not take it long to find its place in a new house. Before feeling itself at home it would attentively examine every corner paying attention to the placement of every single object. Later on, when it discovers a familiar object in an unusual place it may even try to scare it, hiss in a warning manner or strike it with a paw. American Shorthair cats are always interesting to observe.

These vivacious creatures do not need any special toys to play with. It's enough to crumple a candy wrapper or borrow them your pencil. The cats would play for hours, now throwing the prey up with their paws, now grabbing it and carrying it in their mouth, like a hunting dog. Or else, they would leave an object lying on the floor and observe it attentively for hours. The persistence, tirelessness and patience when it comes to achieving of a goal are explained by the fact that American Shorthair cats have a strong hunting instinct and are considered the best among all the cats in catching mice, birds and insects.