The American Shorthair or shorthaired pointer is a breed that is considered a symbol of the United States, like baseball and apple pie. They are considered indigenous and the undisputed pride of the country. These cats belong to the short-haired category and lived in America, where they arrived along with the first settlers more than 400 years ago.
Initially, sailors took them with them on trips on ships to reduce the number of rodents, and later these cats already lived on every ranch and farm. It is for this reason that a strong gene pool was formed on the basis of these animals. They are excellent hunters and affectionate pets that are easy to care for. American Shorthairs are the ancestors of such breeds as the Maine Coon, Bombay and Ocicat.
The formation of American Shorthair cats into a separate breed was not easy and took a long time. Until 1966, they were not identified as a separate species and were exhibited as domestic shorthairs. But at one of the exhibitions, a male named Jimmy received the title of best cat, which significantly increased the demand for this breed.
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Two cats of this breed were brought to Russia from America only in 2007, and it was from them that the first blood American kittens originated. Now their numbers have increased significantly and the popularity of this breed is gradually growing, winning the hearts of more and more cat lovers.
Description of American Shorthair cat standards:
- the body is medium in size, distinguished by strength and muscularity, the weight of males can reach 8 kg, females - 5 kg;
- the head is large, round in shape, its length is equal to its width, with round cheeks, a wide muzzle and a weighty chin;
- the ears are small, set wide apart, rounded at the ends;
- the eyes are almond-shaped, set wide apart, the color is different, should be in harmony with the color, the breed is distinguished by clearly defined eyebrows
- the neck is muscular, short;
- the legs are short with round paws, strong and powerful, but despite this, these cats are distinguished by an easy and relaxed gait;
- the tail is long and tapers at the end;
- The fur is short, thick, soft to the touch, with a dense undercoat; the color can be varied.
History of origin
In the United States, the breed arose thanks to European settlers who brought cats to the continent. Most often, with their help, Americans were able to avoid the plague pandemic that terrorized the cities.
The American Shorthair breed was officially registered only in 1904.
Description and features
The breed received its name only in the 1960s, although it appeared much earlier. Its ancestor is called the European shorthair, which came to America with the first settlers who used the animals to catch mice on ships.
The American Shorthair breed shares common characteristics with its ancestor, but is still very different and is considered more attractive. The weight of an adult cat ranges from 3 to 5 kilograms, depending on care and nutrition. She has a muscular body, which makes her durable and agile.
The head is square-shaped, the neck is short, the ears are small, slightly rounded, the lines of the wide muzzle are smooth, the muzzle is symmetrical and very attractive, the cheeks are plump, the chin is developed, the eyes are set far apart, round, goggle-eyed, the tip of the nose is extended upward, parallel to the lines of the ears. , most often orange-yellowish in color.
Representatives of the breed with a light color may have blue eyes. The American Shorthair cat always looks great in the photo and evokes positive emotions. Due to her attractiveness, she was the one who got the role in an advertisement for the world-famous Whiskas food.
The cat's fur is short, thick, harsh to the touch, does not require careful grooming, and is varied in color (more than fifty variations). Most often you can find a silver color, with black stripes along the entire body, a completely black American Shorthair cat is less common, the red American Shorthair is rightfully considered , because this color is the least common and therefore more in demand among breeders.
Appearance
The cat has a fairly developed and muscular body, passed down to it from its hunter ancestors. As an adult, it can weigh up to 8-9 kg. It has a wide muzzle with large almond-shaped eyes. The coat is dense and thick, but rather short.
Color varies from black to blue. The tabby (silver merle) color is considered the most popular among breeders. They have medium-sized ears slightly rounded at the ends and large cheeks.
Character
Friendly couch potato is the most appropriate description of American Shorthair cats. They like to lie on their owners' laps, relax and lazily watch what is happening. They love to purr and bask in the arms of a person for whom they have boundless sympathy.
They get along well with children and other animals, are inquisitive and playful. They adapt perfectly to any conditions and do not require special attention.They are obedient and smart, never becoming a source of noise and disorder in the house. They are very independent and smart, with an easy-going character.
Characteristics and habits
The American Shorthair cat has a balanced and easy-going character. She is moderately active, moderately lazy, treats people well and loves children. Not demanding.
Important!
This is an ideal cat for a family whose members are constantly at work or school.
Activity and curiosity
Cats of this breed never refuse to play, especially under the age of 1 year. Over time, cats reduce their activity and become calm. Pets are loyal to moving, changing surroundings, and traveling.
They are unobtrusive. If the owner is not in a good mood or is busy with important matters, they do not bother him. Cats are independent and have fun alone. They spend the breaks between games in sweet sleep.
Attention!
The American Shorthair cat breed is prone to obesity. Active physical activity with the owner is necessary for losing excess calories and being in good physical shape.
Communication with people and other pets
American Shorthair cats are wonderful companions for humans. She respects personal boundaries, but is always happy to chat.
Reviews note that while no one is home, the cat enjoys privacy. She will be able to find her own entertainment. During the daytime they prefer to sleep. The pet adapts to the owner’s work schedule. When he arrives, he will definitely wake up and meet the person at the door.
They get along well with other animals, with the exception of rodents and birds.
Important!
Despite its friendly attitude towards humans, the cat cannot be called tame. They prefer short-term close contacts of no more than 10 minutes.
Intelligence
The American Shorthair cat, despite its playful nature, has a developed intelligence. She is easy to teach basic skills. They quickly determine the location of the tray, scratching posts, toys, etc. Breeders rate the intellectual development of the breed 8 points out of 10.
Important!
Animals never cause chaos in the apartment. While the person is not at home, they rest peacefully.
Hunting instinct
This is the best mousetrap in the world. They only need 2-3 attacks to catch the unfortunate creature. The ancestors of this breed even saved people from the plague by quickly exterminating all the rats. Flies, ants, and moths are caught in apartments. Neighborhood with hamsters and house mice is excluded; hunting instincts will always prevail over the animal.
Attitude towards kids
American Shorthair cats respond favorably to small children. Pets are patient, intelligent, always open to communication, and have a friendly attitude. They will be happy to become part of a big family. The child should be explained the rules of behavior and safety precautions with a cat. Even in emergency cases, pets do not release their claws and show patience and care.
Education and training
Cats are already well-mannered enough. They don't steal food from the table, don't ruin clothes, don't mark slippers. They are very clean and use the litter box regularly. They don't like training.
Before you start training your pet, it is important to follow the points on the list:
- Establish a warm, trusting relationship with him. Cats only follow commands when they have a close emotional connection with a person.
- Get used to activities from early childhood.
- Create effective motivation and encouragement.
- The training process should resemble a game, rather than a strict teaching process.
Care
The cat's dense coat does not require careful grooming. It is important to brush it twice a year during shedding with a special brush.
It is also advisable to get rid of excess hair with a damp towel or a regular comb.
Water treatments should be performed on your pet only as needed.
Nutrition
The animal has an excellent appetite, so it is completely unpretentious in food. You can feed him dry food or natural products.
But it is worth choosing the right diet so that he does not have problems with excess weight. Your daily menu should include lean meat, vegetables and dairy products.
Content
They will feel comfortable in any conditions. Therefore, American shorthair cats can be owned both in a private home and in an apartment.
But veterinarians recommend occasionally taking your pet out into the fresh air. Due to laziness and a sedentary lifestyle, the cat is prone to obesity, so she needs walks.
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It is important to remember that you should not let your animal go outside without first receiving vaccinations.
Maintenance and care
The American Shorthair is known for its cleanliness, so it is very picky about the litter box. If you haven’t cleaned it up or there’s an unpleasant smell coming from it, then the nitpicker will most likely show character and do his business in other, most unexpected places for you.
You should carefully monitor your pet’s hygiene to avoid a number of diseases. It’s best to start by purchasing personal hygiene products for your pet – brushes and toothpaste. She should brush her teeth every day, carefully so as not to damage the delicate cavity of her mouth.
The next step is to clean the cat's ears, eyes and trim the cat's claws. You should clean your ears as they become dirty, using damp cotton pads. The pet's eyes should also be treated with damp cotton pads, using an individual pad for each eye to avoid various infections.
Nails should be trimmed approximately once every two weeks, using special pliers or by taking your pet to a salon. It will be important to buy a scratching post that will protect your furniture and help the cat independently monitor the neatness of its claws. It is worth teaching a kitten to sharpen its claws in a strictly designated place from the first days of its arrival in the house.
American Shorthairs do not like water procedures, but despite this they are very clean. You should bathe your pet rarely, using a special shampoo. Drying should be monitored, avoiding exposure to drafts.
Cat nutrition requires special attention. This breed is very gluttonous and does not know moderation in food, so it should be fed on a schedule and in strictly limited quantities, with special food, which a specialist will help you choose. When choosing food, you should take into account many nuances; this will help prolong the life of your pet and avoid problems with its health.
The coat of the American Shorthair cat does not require special care; it will be enough to brush it several times a week with a silicone comb or glove. If your pet begins to shed seasonally, the procedure should be repeated every day or even several times a day.
Diseases
Veterinarians speak of American Shorthair cats as the breed with the best health. With proper care, the animal can live up to 20 years.
One of the main problems of cats is the tendency to be overweight. It’s easy to combat this: the main thing is to keep her busy with active games and keep her diet balanced.
Hip dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and polycystic kidney disease are rare.
Price
In specialized nurseries, the price of an American shorthair cat varies from $750 to $1,000. When choosing a pet, you should pay attention to the availability of the kitten’s documents: pedigree, veterinary passport, contract.
When buying an animal from someone else who does not have documents, there is a risk, because the breeder may well slip in a non-purebred American Shorthair, which will later result in a number of problems.
The optimal age for purchasing a kitten is from 3 months. It is at this age that he is ready to survive separation from his mother, begins to feed on his own and can quickly get used to his new home. Also, when choosing a pet, you should pay attention to its condition: cleanliness of the mouth, ears, eyes and weight.
Breeders should clarify the character traits and preferences of the animal. You should purchase in advance everything necessary for the kitten: a bed, a comb, care and hygiene products. If he immediately fell into your arms, then there will be no problems with adaptation, and you will quickly become best friends.
pros
They are calm and affectionate, able to comfortably coexist in the house with other pets. They have a pleasant and memorable appearance: photos of the American Shorthair are often used for advertising products.
They do not require special nutrition or specific conditions of detention. They get along well with people, are not afraid of strangers and willingly spend time with children.
Watch your weight
Obesity is a growing problem for all cat breeds, including the American Shorthair. This can lead to a range of health problems, from heart disease to diabetes.
Talk to your veterinarian at your cat's next annual checkup about a healthy diet and exercise regimen for your high-spirited friend.
Photo of American Shorthair
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