American Short Hair Cats

By Wendy Pan

The American shorthair cat is in the feline popularity top ten of breeds according to the Cat Fanciers Association of America. It is totally understandable because they are beautiful animals. More athletic, larger and leaner than most cats they have wonderfully soft and touchable fur in eye-catching patterns. Descended from the British short hair cat and brought to the New World in the ships of the pioneers and settlers they got the name American short hair cat in 1966 without even applying for a green card. They are the most welcome of immigrant workers ever to come to America and they do not agitate for the vote or drain the social security system. For American short hair cats are republican through and through, independent, self-reliant survivors that are evolving in a symbiotic relationship with their American human pets.

American short hair cats are an extremely healthy breed that requires little or no maintenance. They get whatever they do need by being attractive, easy-going and affectionate. The male American short hair cat is quite a bit bigger than the female, coming in at ten to fifteen pounds when mature. Mature females only weigh eight to twelve pounds when they get to adulthood at three years of age. American short hair cats can live fifteen to twenty years, like most felines, and often only needing only yearly vaccination boosts, veterinary checkups, a quality diet and it goes without saying plenty of TLC. These cats have long tails and incredibly lithe slender bodies.

The American short hair cat is not defined by color or a distinct pattern because they come in more than eighty different colors and patterns. These range from the rich brown-patched tabby to the sleek blue-eyed white version. The breed also has wonderfully shaded silvers, smokes and cameos to the flashy calico van. Probably the most recognized American short hair color is the silver tabby, with its dense black markings set on a sterling silver background. It's the specimen that gets to eat all the good meaty food on the commercials and get all the girls in the movies.

The American short hair cat is a superb example of present day evolution since they first came to America as working cats. They were needed on board ship to control the vermin population. So their instincts for hunting remain sharp to this day. This despite of being provided for by humans with food, shelter and tick collars. They are not owned by people, but retain the ability to fend for them selves come what may. American short hair cats are, beautiful to look at, unquestioning loving companions to humans and independent sentient creatures in their own right.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about american shorthair cats, please visit American Shorthair Cats for current articles and discussions.