Standards
General:
The physical aspects of the American Shorthair should compliment each other to present a perfect picture. It is known to be temperamentally gentle and easy to handle. The breed ranges in size from medium to large, females are usually smaller, yet not frail or dainty appearing. The female should not be penalized because of size difference. The overall body is well knit, powerful, showing good depth and full chest, head is in balance with the body, broad with cheeks well developed in males, nose and face medium short with eyes set wide apart, tail in proportion with the body, thick at base and tapering toward the end.
NOTE: For general information only, approved Standard appears below.
Head:
Shape: Broad with cheeks [especially well developed in studs], which makes the head appear rather round. Profile should have a concave curve, with no break. The face is medium shaped with eyes set wide apart. Muzzle should present squarish aspect from all angles, but should not be foreshortened as in the Persian. Chin is well developed, forming a perpendicular line with the upper lip.
Ears: Medium in size and wide set, rounded at tips and not too large at base. Ears should be set as far up on the head as they are on the side.
Eyes: Shape – The eye opening should be round, set to show breadth of nose. Color – The eye color should conform to the requirements listed in coat color. Cut 5 points for wrong eye color
Body and Tail:
Body: The American Shorthair ranges from medium to large in size. The body should be slightly longer than tall measuring from the top of the shoulders to floor, length from breast to buttocks. The females are usually smaller than males, and should not appear frail or dainty. Females should not be penalized because of size difference. The body should be well knit and powerful, showing good depth and full chest. The lower abdomen may display a fatty pad and should not be considered a sign of obesity. Neck is medium short and denoting strength, but in proportion to the body.
Legs: Of good substance and in proportion to the body.
Feet: Well rounded. Five toes in front and four in back.
Tail: Length should be in proportion to the body, thick at base and tapering to end, and carried almost level with back
Coat:
Short, lustrous, well bodied and close lying, giving an even textured and natural protective appearance.
Color / Pattern:
ACCEPTED COLORS: All realistic Colors and Patterns accepted, that are not specific to another breed See Here, Eye and Nose color must match what is listed for that color.
The physical aspects of the American Shorthair should compliment each other to present a perfect picture. It is known to be temperamentally gentle and easy to handle. The breed ranges in size from medium to large, females are usually smaller, yet not frail or dainty appearing. The female should not be penalized because of size difference. The overall body is well knit, powerful, showing good depth and full chest, head is in balance with the body, broad with cheeks well developed in males, nose and face medium short with eyes set wide apart, tail in proportion with the body, thick at base and tapering toward the end.
NOTE: For general information only, approved Standard appears below.
Head:
Shape: Broad with cheeks [especially well developed in studs], which makes the head appear rather round. Profile should have a concave curve, with no break. The face is medium shaped with eyes set wide apart. Muzzle should present squarish aspect from all angles, but should not be foreshortened as in the Persian. Chin is well developed, forming a perpendicular line with the upper lip.
Ears: Medium in size and wide set, rounded at tips and not too large at base. Ears should be set as far up on the head as they are on the side.
Eyes: Shape – The eye opening should be round, set to show breadth of nose. Color – The eye color should conform to the requirements listed in coat color. Cut 5 points for wrong eye color
Body and Tail:
Body: The American Shorthair ranges from medium to large in size. The body should be slightly longer than tall measuring from the top of the shoulders to floor, length from breast to buttocks. The females are usually smaller than males, and should not appear frail or dainty. Females should not be penalized because of size difference. The body should be well knit and powerful, showing good depth and full chest. The lower abdomen may display a fatty pad and should not be considered a sign of obesity. Neck is medium short and denoting strength, but in proportion to the body.
Legs: Of good substance and in proportion to the body.
Feet: Well rounded. Five toes in front and four in back.
Tail: Length should be in proportion to the body, thick at base and tapering to end, and carried almost level with back
Coat:
Short, lustrous, well bodied and close lying, giving an even textured and natural protective appearance.
Color / Pattern:
ACCEPTED COLORS: All realistic Colors and Patterns accepted, that are not specific to another breed See Here, Eye and Nose color must match what is listed for that color.