Skip to content 
A Domestic cat living in America, whether shorthaired or not, will never become an American Shorthair.
The terms are used interchangeably, but they mainly refer to two uniquely different breeds of cats.
One of the two is purebred while the other isn’t, but either of them makes an adorable pet.
The American Shorthair cat was initially referred to as the domestic Shorthair.
That doesn’t sound very clear, and so many cat owners would like to know whether there are any similarities and differences between these two breeds.
Table of Contents
History
American shorthair cats were known to be the best companions in keeping vermin out of the ships and pioneer homes.
They had unique rat-catching skills, and that’s the main reason why they were domesticated.
However, their easygoing nature and good looks made people consider them as good pets.
The Cat Fanciers Association recognized the American Shorthair in 1906, but they referred to it as a Domestic Shorthair.
The breed was later named American Shorthair in 1966, and the breeders could now differentiate it from the Domestic Shorthair.
Physical Appearance
Physically, it’s very easy to confuse the Domestic Shorthair with the American Shorthair.
The American Shorthair is a pedigree cat.
A pedigree cat like the American Shorthair produces cats with the same physical build, temperament, and coat.
The American Shorthair cat has a variety of colours.
You will find this in black and several other patterns.
They have a medium-sized body but with medium-to-large eyes that are round.
Domestic shorthairs have a unique body appearance and pattern.
They have large eyes, and they are usually copper or gold in color.
The Domestic shorthair cats are of the same size as the American Shorthair breeds.
Differences in personality
There exist some unique differences in personality for these two breeds.
The American Shorthair is thought to be more friendly and affectionate than the Domestic Shorthair.
This kitty enjoys being held and can entertain herself with some little things in the house.
People usually say that the American Shorthair is smarter and always learning.
On the other hand, the Domestic Shorthair is intelligent and always learning new games, but she’s comparatively lonely.
She doesn’t enjoy being held that much.
Additionally, she’s more talkative than her counterpart.
Health
These two breeds are healthy cats.
However, they are both prone to the hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and common heart diseases that can be fatal.
The Domestic Shorthair is more prone to potential breathing difficulties and excessive tearing of the eyes.
Cat shows
Domestic Shorthairs can be brought to the real cat shows where she can compete in local categories such as the longest whiskers, best personality, and the cutest cats.
According to the information found on Fanciers’ Breeder referral list, the American Shorthair competed at the first cat show in 1895.
What cat breeds can live the longest?
Different cat breeds are prone to different diseases and may have differing lifespans.
Thus, some users might want to know which of the many cat breeds can live the longest.
Here is a list of the cats that can live longer than their counterparts.
The Siamese
The Siamese cat seems to have a shorter lifespan.
This cat breed is available in two breed types, which are tubular with long legs and traditional.
The breed has a 15-year life expectancy.
However, it’s prone to common heart and bladder stone issues.
Beautiful Balinese
This cat is a spontaneous mutation of Siamese and can survive for up to 22 years.
The cat shares a couple of features with the Siamese cat, including its physical appearance and color.
It makes to be a good companion for its unique personality and affectionate nature.
American Shorthair
The American Shorthair can live for up to 20 years if it’s healthy and sound.
The cat was discovered in the 1600s and has been around ever since.
Domesticated for her lovely personality and affectionate nature, she can obviously be a good companion for all those looking for a lovable pet.
Other cats that can live for a long time
Several other breeds can survive for a long time.
The Domestic Shorthair or Bombay cat has a beautiful character and can survive for more than 15 years.
But the breed has been marked for being prone to some health risks, including heart problems.
The Russian Blue can equally y survive for more than 15 years.
There is no guarantee that the breeds mentioned above will reach their maximum life expectancy.
It’s also not guaranteed that a cat with a shorter life expectancy will not go beyond its life expectancy.
FAQs
Is the American Shorthair the same as Domestic Shorthair?
Domestic shorthair cat looks similar to the American Shorthair, but they are not necessarily the same.
The key difference between the two breeds is mainly the variety of looks.
The American Shorthair produces kittens that have the same distinctive appearance.
What type of cat is a domestic shorthair?
Domestic Shorthair is also referred to as British Shorthair.
It is purebred and pedigreed.
The breeders have carefully bred this to align with the set standards of appearance.
Do American Shorthair cats like to cuddle?
This is a very friendly breed that mainly likes to show love to its masters affectionately.
This means that the breed likes to cuddle, and they are mainly camped on the arms of their favorite character.
But the American Shorthair is moderately affectionate, and they particularly don’t need a lot of attention.
Conclusion
You may have come across the American Shorthair and the Domestic shorthair cat.
The two of them may seem alike, but there are some key differences.
The American Shorthair, unlike the Domestic Shorthair, is regarded as an easy-going cat.
She is relatively easier to care for, and they are friendly and adaptable.
The main thing that sets them apart is the physical appearance because they have unique features.
