| American Shorthair Stats |
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Color: American Shorthairs come in 80-plus colors and designs.
Grooming: Relatively low-maintenance, experts say, although regular brushing as much as three times a week can help manage their thick coat. Bathing is optional. Shorthaired cats should not be bathed more often than once every six weeks to keep their skin from drying out.
Best Home: Their working-class ancestors mostly hunted, and Americans today still prefer being at ground level, where their energy can be put to good use. A scratching post can provide an ideal outlet. Food should be monitored as some cats have a tendency to overeat.
National Breed Club: National American Shorthair Club; www.ashclub.org
Personality: Sociable and affectionate to quiet and sedate. These powerful cats are widely considered easygoing and able to blend into any living situation. Willing purrers, they spread their love freely.
Appearance: Ideal American Shorthairs exude symmetry. Females tend to be smaller than males. The breed standard calls for cats to be slightly longer than tall. The face should be full-cheeked with an open expression. Eyes are medium to large in size and mostly round with an almond-like curve at the top.