American Shorthair Cat Breed - Rumored to be the Best Rodent Hunter

The American Shorthair comes in 80 different colors. The silver-tabby is probably the best known. They have short, pointed ears and a muscular body.

The American Shorthair was earlier called “Domestic Shorthair. The name of these wonderful cats changed in 1966 to American Shorthair. The reason for the name change was to give these cats a higher status, as they very much deserved.

When these cats were called the “Domestic Shorthair” they were far too often associated with the non-pedigree domestic cats.

History

This cat breed emigrated from Europe and is thought to have come with the pilgrims on the Mayflower in 1620.

They were working cats, employed as mousers. The Domestic Shorthair had a solid reputation for being the best rodent hunters ever.

During the 19th century the Domestic Shorthair cats were selling for $50, which was quite a large chunk of cash at that time.

The cats were especially popular with people going to California during the Great Gold Rush.

The first Domestic Shorthair to be registered as a pedigree cat and a home-bred, true American Domestic was a male cat named Buster Brown owned by Jane Cathcart. This was in 1904.

The Domestic Shorthair increased in popularity and started winning prizes.

As of 1966 the Domestic Shorthair was officially renamed and is now known as the ever popular American Shorthair.