| There are two basic American breeds of cat. The | | | | is an uncommon, although not rare, happening. |
| shorthair and the wirehair. I would like to compare | | | | The American Wirehair sports an exceptional |
| the two, and list their subtle differences. | | | | coat, as each hair is bent or hooked, producing a |
| Remember, this is only a comparison between the | | | | dense, springy coat, with whiskers of the same |
| two most common American breeds.Originally | | | | texture. This breed was developed from the |
| known as the Domestic Shorthair, the breed was | | | | American Shorthair, so apart from the coat, the |
| renamed "American Shorthair" in 1966 to better | | | | two display many similarities.There seems to be |
| represent its "All American" character and to | | | | some debate as far as ear shaping between the |
| differentiate it from any other shorthaired breed. | | | | experts. Some believe it is the wirehair that |
| The name "American Shorthair" also reinforces | | | | sports the short, curved ears; while others believe |
| the idea that our native North American | | | | this is a trait of the shorthair. Pictures of both |
| shorthaired cat is distinctly different from what | | | | breeds found on sites all over the world wide web |
| may be found in streets, neighborhoods and | | | | show either breed displaying both traits..Whatever |
| barnyards.Ideal American Shorthairs exude | | | | the case, I find both to be beautiful breeds.My |
| symmetry, with the breed standard calling for | | | | cat, Thomas, seems to be a combination of the |
| them to be slightly longer than tall. Females tend | | | | two breeds. He sports the long, pointed ears (that |
| to be smaller than males. The American | | | | are still under debate), a luxuriously soft short |
| Shorthair's face should be full-cheeked with an | | | | coat, and silverish blue and white markings. His |
| open expression. Eyes are medium to large in size | | | | eyes are the almond shaped, goldish-green, |
| and mostly round with an almond-like curve at the | | | | all-seeing, mysterious eyes of the typical cat. |
| top. The breed's coat comes in a variety of | | | | Thomas is also the typical cat in that he displays |
| colors and designs; however, the silver classic | | | | the aloof independence found in all breeds.This |
| tabby is perhaps the best known.The American | | | | article has been submitted in affiliation with 1.Pet |
| Wirehair breed is uniquely American. It began as a | | | | Forums.Kim Babcock is an author on |
| spontaneous mutation in a litter of upstate New | | | | which is a site for Writers. |
| York farm cats in 1966. A spontaneous mutation | | | | |