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Senior Member
 
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Last Login: 9/9/2009 10:58:19 AM
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This is just out of pure curiousity, but what really is the difference between and American Shorthair and a Domestic Shorthair? I've seen tons of cat channel profiles and some people list their cats as Americans, when they really don't look any different than a domestic, there doesn't seem to be any distinguishing feature whatsoever. I'm not a cat breed expert though, so by all means correct me 
tommygirl
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Forum Guru
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Last Login: 11/15/2009 2:22:37 PM
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| Hi! Every cat breed has certain features which make it unique. It takes a lot of experience to determine the purebred cat or tell apart some breeds. Knowing how breed was created or what breed originated from you know what to look at. American shorthair was originated from Domestic SH and Exotic (Short-hair Persian), so American SH has round head and slight Exotic features. Sometimes you may confuse American SH with British SH. Couple generations ago crossbreeding of these 2 breeds was allowed as well as with Exotic. Domestic SH looks more like European SH.
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Senior Member
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Last Login: 11/2/2009 6:13:55 PM
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| An American SH is a certain breed of cat with a written standard. Here's CFA's breed profile/standard. http://www.cfa.org/breeds/profiles/american-sh.html http://www.cfa.org/breeds/standards/american-sh.pdf Many people think their cats look like a purebred (or someone told them this) but in reality they are domestic shorthairs or longhairs and not purebred at all. I've noticed many of the "breeds" in here are really no where near what they claim to be. For example, I've seen many "Ocicats" that are nothing like a purebred Ocicat...for one thing Oci's never have any white on them other then around the chin (like an Aby). They are mixes and not every spotted cat is a Bengal, Oci, or Mau. Personally, I don't mind someone calling their cat a breed IF they use the term (breed) MIX and not claim that its a purebred. Unless they have papers to prove the breed - its a mix.
Cpt. Jack has arrived safe and sound - big brother Charlie keeps a watchful eye 
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Senior Member
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Hmm that's interesting, it makes me wonder if my cat is actually a breed and not a mix. I just assumed he was domestic SH and listed him as that with my vet - breed doesn't really make a whole lot of difference to me personally anyways. Thanks for answering my question though, I think I understand better now
tommygirl
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Supreme Being
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"Mutts" for the win!
My cats own my house they just permit me to live there. Only cat lovers know the luxury of fur-coated, musical hot water bottles that never go cold."
- Susanne Millen 
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Supreme Being
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| American Shorthairs are pedigrees. I think they have origins linking them to the British Shorthair. A Domestic Shorthair is the 'proper term' for a mixed breed cat. Unfortunately, unlike dogs, vet clinics don't often list cats as Siamese Mix or Persian Mix, like they would for a Lab Mix, or a Collie Mix. They just use the terms Domestic Shorhair (DSH), Domestic Medium Hair (DMH) and Domestic Long Hair (DLH).
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