Originally called "Domestic Shorthair" with catalogs of the earliest cat shows showing cats entered under that breed name. (The term today is used to designate any random-bred non-pedigreed cat with shorthair). Breed name was changed to American Shorthair in 1966 after the breed began to gain more respect in the showhall and breeders began working on refining it.

Persian was used as an outcross to bring in a more rounded head. It also introduced the silver gene into the American Shorthair color pool and is responsible for the beautiful silver tabby patterns seen today.


Hearty breed and used as an outcross to develop many new breeds, including the Ocicat, Scottish Fold, American Wirehair, and American Curl.