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AMERICAN SHORTHAIR |
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ORIGIN
The American Shorthair is America's own breed, whose ancestors came to North America with early settlers from Europe. Records indicate that the "Mayflower" carried several cats to hunt ship's rats. For centuries, "working cats" flourished along with their pioneer owners and eventually established themselves as the native North American shorthaired cat. Their beauty and loving nature came to be valued as much as their rat-catching skills.. Early in the 20th century, foreign breeds imported to the United States (Longhairs and Siamese) interbred with native shorthaired cats, producing kittens with varied coat lengths, body styles, color and temperament. Those who wished to preserve the North American shorthaired cat acquired the finest examples of the breed and began mating them selectively to preserve the breed's conformation, beautiful face and sweet disposition, while perfecting the patterns and colors characteristic of the American Shorthair as we know it today. The CFA chose to officially recognize this lovely cat as one of its first five registered breeds in 1906. Originally known as the Domestic Shorthair, the breed was renamed "American Shorthair" in 1966 to better represent its "All American" character and to differentiate it from any other shorthaired breed.
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ASPECT Males are significantly larger than females, weighing eleven to fifteen pounds when fully grown. Mature females weigh eight to twelve pounds when they achieve full growth at three to four years of age. American Shorthairs can live fifteen to twenty years. The American Shorthair is recognized in more than eighty different colors and patterns ranging from the striking brown patched tabby to the glistening blue-eyed white, the beautiful shaded silvers, smokes and cameos to the flashy calico van, and many colors in between. The most well-known American Shorthair color today is the silver tabby, with dense black markings set on a sterling silver background.
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CHARACTER Looking for a cat that will be a gentle companion, a playmate for your children, and a full-fledged member of the family ? Look no further than the American Shorthair. This breed is known for its longevity, robust health, good looks, quiet disposition and amiability with children and dogs.
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CARE American Shorthairs are low-maintenance cats, requiring only annual vaccinations, veterinary checkups, a quality diet and plenty of tender loving care.
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