American Shorthair

Coat

Tabby

Tabby: Brown (black), blue, red and cream tabby in any of the patterns. All are also accepted in silver.
Torbie: Torbie versions of the above listed tabby/tortie combinations are accepted.
White Patterns: Any of the above colours can come with or without White (15) in tuxedo, bicolour, harlequin or van pattern.
A white tail tip is accepted in this breed without fault.

Any Other Variety (AOV)

Solid: White (15) Grey (25) Black (35) Cream (45) Orange (65) Blue (115)
Tortoishell: Black or blue tortie are accepted.
Smoke/Shaded/Chinchilla: Any of the above colours as smoke, shaded, or chinchilla on a silver base only.
White Patterns: Any of the above colours can come with or without White (15) in tuxedo, bicolour, harlequin or van pattern.

Eyes

Gold (120-129/100-109, 215) Copper (60-69)
Silver tabbies, torbies, shaded, and chinchilla catz have Green (2/130-139/197-198/217)
Shaded and chinchilla catz may also have Teal (203)
Gold is preferred in reds and creams.
Solid whites and catz with at least 75% white spotting may also have one or two Light Blue(152-158/171-172/175-179)

Nose

Matches surrounding coat.

Faults

Wrong eye colour.
Wrong nose colour.

Disqualifications

White trim on an otherwise solid cat.

Notes

The American Shorthair is a true breed of working cat, with a body adapted expressly for this purpose. The general effect is a strongly built, well-balanced, symmetrical cat with conformation displaying power, endurance and agility. They are known for their longevity, robust health, good looks, and amiable personality. They are descended from British cats who arrived in America with the first European settlers, easily transitioning from life as ship’s cats to working farm cats valued for their rat-catching abilities as much as their personalities. Early American cat fanciers were proud of their native cat, and the American Shorthair was one of the first five breeds accepted when the CFA was founded in 1906, as simply the “shorthair”; in 1966, cat fanciers realized that their native shorthaired cat was far from average, and it was renamed the American Shorthair to reflect its uniquely American character. Today’s American Shorthair is successful on the show bench and on the public stage; American Shorthairs have worked in film and advertising for decades, as the iconic Whiskas cat and other mascot

Type & Judging Remarks
The body is medium in length, with a slight rise over the hips. The head is broad and strong, with a short powerful muzzle. The overall impression of type is one of muscular cobbiness and athleticism. Most American Shorthairs on today’s show bench are classic tabbies, as this is considered the traditional colour; silver tabbies dominate, although brown and red tabbies are also shown.

Breed Files

American Shorthair - Supernova — Supernova
**Filename:** American Shorthair SN
**Offset:** 0709
**Base:** B&W Shorthair
**SCP:** Russian Blue
**Accepted:** September 1, 2020
**Notes:** -

American Shorthair - Grand Theft — Grand Theft
**Filename:** American Shorthair
**Offset:** 0623
**Base:** Calico
**SCP:** Russian Blue
**Accepted:** July 4, 2010
**Notes:** Three addball tail variations and addball ears.

American Shorthair - VPZ — VPZ
**Filename:** American SH VPZ
**Offset:** B205
**Base:** Calico
**SCP:** Tabby
**Accepted:** September 25, 2006
**Notes:** Addball tails (2 variations). Tabby variations use paintballz.

American Shorthair - Cierra — Cierra
**Filename:** Am Shorthair
**Offset:** 4512
**Base:** Russian Blue
**SCP:** Russian Blue
**Accepted:** December 31, 2005
**Notes:** Black and brown tabby pattern is not accepted.