American Shorthair
![](https://catlives.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/American-Shorthair-Cat-compressed-540x360-1.jpg)
Origin
United States
Height
10"-14"
Adult Weight
8-15 pounds
Life Span
12 -17 years
TEMPERAMENT
Active, inquisitive, playful, personable
OTHER NAMES
ASH
Group
Medium-to-large sized shorthair
Price
$100 - $1,000
Personality and Temperament
Care
- NUTRITION
- GROOMING
- EXERCISE
- HEALTH
Characteristics
History
The Breed Standard
Body
The American Shorthair exudes power, confidence, and grace. Their bodies are muscular and compact, with a rounded shape that's as cuddly as it is attractive.
Head
It's easy to distinguish an American Shorthair from a domestic shorthair by looking at the head shape. These cats have distinctly rounded heads with prominent cheeks and fleshy whisker pads. Many American Shorthairs have prominent jowls; this feature is particularly noticeable in intact males.
Eyes
The American Shorthair has large, rounded eyes with half-almond shaped upper lids and distinctly rounded lower lids. There should be at least one eye width between the eyes, and the upper corners should be set slightly higher than the lower corners. American Shorthair eye colors vary between gold and green. Blue eyes are also acceptable, as are two different colored eyes.
Ears
An American Shorthair cat has medium-sized ears with rounded tips, set wide apart on the head and not overly large at the base.
Legs & Paws
The American Shorthair cat has strong, stocky legs that may appear somewhat short and less elegant than the legs of many other cats breeds. This breed's paws are strong, round, and somewhat wide. Paw pad color typically corresponds to nose leather color, with many different variations depending on the cat's color and pattern.
Tail
American Shorthair cats have long, proportional tails that are a little wider at the base with a slight taper toward the end. The tail is often carried level or at a slightly upward angle to the body.
Coat
This breed has a short but lustrous coat with ample body and an even texture. The coat should appear soft and healthy.
Color
American Shorthair cats come in every color and pattern except for pointed as in Asian breeds such as the Siamese. Tabby, tortoiseshell, smoke, blue, white, and black colors and patterns are all acceptable. In all, the breed standard allows more than 80 acceptable American Shorthair colors and patterns.