American Shorthair
Felis catus
Medium to large, sturdy breed developed in the United States. CFA and TICA recognized. Adaptable, even-tempered family cat with a variety of coat colors and patterns.
Breed reference
The shape of the breed,
in plain English.
Medium to large, sturdy breed developed in the United States. CFA and TICA recognized. Adaptable, even-tempered family cat with a variety of coat colors and patterns.
Owner-experience
across 7 dimensions.
Each bar is a 1 to 5 score from breed-knowledgeable owners. Read the bar labels for the trade-off the dimension captures.
Temperament
Affection with family
Independent. Tolerates handling but prefers own company.Highly affectionate. Bonds closely; follows family members.
Activity level
Low energy. Naps most of the day.Very active. Needs daily play and enrichment.
Vocalization
Quiet. Rarely vocal; quiet trills only.Very vocal. Loud, frequent meowing and yowling.
Good with young children
Best in adult homes. Low tolerance for sudden movement or noise.Tolerant of children. Calm with handling and play.
Coat and maintenance
Good with other pets
Prefers to be the only pet.Tolerates and integrates with other pets.
Grooming needs
Minimal grooming. Self-maintaining.High grooming burden. Daily brushing or weekly bathing required.
Intelligence / Trainability
Independent. Limited interest in training.Highly trainable. Learns commands and tricks; can be leash-trained.
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