Cat breed · North America

American Shorthair

Q: Can you train an American Shorthair?

Yes. CFA says they're easily trained to stay off counters, use scratching posts and even retrieve toys. They can also work out how to open drawers, especially where the treats are kept .

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2 min readUpdated 02/10/2026

Silver classic tabby American Shorthair lying down, eyes narrowed, facing the camera — Photo: Nickolas Titkov from Moscow, Russian Federation · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

The American Shorthair is a true working cat: sturdy, with a thick, hard coat and an easygoing nature ^[1]. It's affectionate and loves interactive play, yet independent enough to amuse itself ^[1]. It ranked ninth in CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association): The world's largest registry of pedigree cats, based in the US. It keeps pedigree records, writes breed standards and runs cat shows. All terms 's most popular breeds for 2026 ^[2]. The breed is recognised by CFA and TICA (The International Cat Association): An international cat registry based in the US and one of the largest. It often recognizes newer breeds before CFA does. All terms ^[3]; it isn't on FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline): The International Feline Federation, an umbrella body of cat clubs, mostly in Europe. All terms 's breed list ^[5].

Contents (10 sections)

History
Appearance
Photo gallery
Temperament
Care
Health
Cat facts
Frequently asked questions
Similar breeds
References

Quick facts

Origin: United States (from cats aboard early settlers' ships)
Weight: ~3.6–5.4 kg
Lifespan: ~15–20 years
Coat: short, thick
Energy: moderate

Details & sources

Size: Medium to large, sturdy and muscular ^[1]
Weight: VCA gives about 3.6–5.4 kg (8–12 lb) ^[6]
Lifespan: VCA estimates 15–20 years ^[6]
Coat: Short, thick and hard-textured, built for rough weather ^[1]

Traits (scale 1–5)

Energy: 3/5
Shedding: 3/5
Grooming needs: 2/5
Good with kids: 5/5
Vocal: 1/5
Independence: 4/5

Basis: Editorial estimate based on CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association): The world's largest registry of pedigree cats, based in the US. It keeps pedigree records, writes breed standards and runs cat shows. All terms 's description, not a measurement

Recognized by major cat registries

Cat registries keep pedigree records and set the standard for each breed. Tap an abbreviation to see what it means.

CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association): The world's largest registry of pedigree cats, based in the US. It keeps pedigree records, writes breed standards and runs cat shows. All terms US	Yes
TICA (The International Cat Association): An international cat registry based in the US and one of the largest. It often recognizes newer breeds before CFA does. All terms international, US-based	Yes
FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline): The International Feline Federation, an umbrella body of cat clubs, mostly in Europe. All terms Europe	No
GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy): The UK's oldest pedigree cat registry (since 1910). All terms UK	-

GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy): The UK's oldest pedigree cat registry (since 1910). All terms : pending verification.

History

Shorthaired cats came to North America with the early settlers, on ships that kept cats to control rodents ^[1]. As pioneers moved west, their cats went too, protecting farms and homes from vermin ^[1]. Over 50 were shown at the first US cat show in 1895. In 1906 the breed was one of the first five recognised by CFA ^[1]. Originally shown as "Domestic Shorthairs", they took their current name in 1965 ^[1].

Appearance

Body: medium to large, muscular and slightly longer than tall, giving an impression of power and endurance ^[1].
Head: oval, slightly longer than wide, with a powerful jaw ^[1].
Eyes: a shape unique to the breed, gently curved above and rounder below ^[1].
Coat: thick and hard-textured, made for rough weather and brambles ^[1].
Colours: silver and brown classic tabbies are popular; over 100 colour combinations in all ^[1].

Photo gallery

7 photos · tap to enlarge

Photos: Wikimedia Commons - author & licence shown when enlarged and on the Photo credits page.

Temperament

American Shorthairs are easygoing and relatively sedate, but they love hunting games with wand toys ^[1]. Play at the same time every day and your cat may dance in anticipation ^[1]. They're intelligent, easily trained, and very tolerant of other animals and small children ^[1]. They rarely need loud vocals; the breed is known for a "silent meow" greeting, with an open mouth and no sound ^[1].

Care

Brushing: CFA recommends daily brushing with a slicker brush or grooming mitt. They shed the undercoat in spring, with a lighter shed in autumn ^[1].
Bathing: reduces oils and shedding but is usually unnecessary unless showing ^[1].
Play: interactive toys keep the hunting instinct satisfied ^[1].

Health

Breed-specific problems: CFA says none are currently known ^[1].
HCM (Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy): A heart disease where the heart wall thickens; the most common heart disease in cats. All terms : noted in some cats in the 1980s and 1990s, then largely eliminated through preventive testing and selective breeding ^[1].
Lifespan: VCA estimates 15–20 years ^[6].

This is general information; talk to your vet about any specific concern.

Don't confuse with…

British Shorthair: stocky, round head, large round eyes, plush coat ^[4].
Vietnamese domestic cat (tabby): a non-Pedigree: A record of a pedigree cat's ancestors over several generations, issued by a registry. All terms house cat that can also be striped. The American Shorthair is a pedigree breed registered by CFA since 1906 ^[1].

Ask your vet. This information is for reference only and does not replace a veterinary diagnosis.

Cat facts

The breed is known for its "silent meow" greeting ^[1].
Over 50 were shown at the first US cat show in 1895 ^[1].
The name "American Shorthair" dates only from 1965 ^[1].

Frequently asked questions

Is the American Shorthair easy to keep?

Fairly easy. They're affectionate but independent enough to amuse themselves while you're at work, and very tolerant of other pets and small children ^[1]. The coat needs little more than regular brushing to control shedding ^[1].

Can you train an American Shorthair?

Yes. CFA (Cat Fanciers' Association): The world's largest registry of pedigree cats, based in the US. It keeps pedigree records, writes breed standards and runs cat shows. All terms says they're easily trained to stay off counters, use scratching posts and even retrieve toys. They can also work out how to open drawers, especially where the treats are kept ^[1].

Do American Shorthairs shed a lot?

They shed the undercoat in spring and have a lighter shed in autumn. CFA recommends daily brushing with a slicker brush or grooming mitt ^[1].