To the best of my knowledge, our cats are clear of feline disease and viruses. We test for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy [HCM] which is the most common heart disease in cats. We do this by having periodic ECHO cardiograms. We also test for polycystic kidney disease [PKD] via ulta-sound technology.   For the most part, they live in the house with us – in our bed and on our laps. Show cats need an enormous amount of personal attention to learn to be flexible enough to travel easily, maintain top condition and possess social skills that are so necessary to achieve. We know too that genetics plays a key role in temperament and vigor, so these virtues are always foremost on our mind.

Our kittens begin their life in our bedroom where its warm and cozy. They learn to use their special litter box early. By nature, cats and kittens are extremely clean. About 8 wks of age, they begin to romp through the entire house. Adult females have free access during the day to their own enclosed outdoor patio. Most kittens are ready to adapt to their new home about 10 -14 wks of age. By this time, kittens will be vaccinated, wormed and examined by a licensed veterinarian. Adults and kittens who live with us beyond 4 mo of age, are spayed or neutered before they are placed into new homes. Adult males exercise in their patio area during the day and sleep in their own cuddle beds at night.

Altered adults are sometimes available after completing their show and/or breeding careers. We place them judiciously. Occasionally, cats are returned to us because their owners’ lifestyle changed or due to unforeseeable circumstances. We assume lifetime responsibility for any kittens or cats which we have bred or owned. We will ship a cat to his/her new home if the circumstances are right. However, those who are looking for a companion pet, should find a nearby breeder. Breeders offer a wide variety of support and its not so good when ‘yours’ lives clear across the country. We’ll gladly help with referrals ~ Dave & Alice

Member in good standing of:

  The Cat Fanciers Association

  The Cat Fanciers Association Breed Council

  The American Shorthair National Breed Club

The Cat Fanciers Association [CFA] has a breed standard for the American Short hair breed [ASH]. Point values are allocated to various desirable feline attributes which characterize ideal breed ‘type.’ To capture this ideal is our goal.

American Shorthairs come in a wide variety of colors and patterns. One of the most popular colors at west coast shows is the silver classic tabby. The brown classic tabby, and the various classic tabbies with white are also crowd pleasers. However flashy their color and pattern, it is important to keep in mind that the American Short hair is not just a color breed. We strive to breed a keen cat who genuinely enjoys being around people. One who is a good-looking ‘working’ cat with a distinctive, expressive face, wide head, deep broad body, and heavy muscling. I visualize such a cat resting high on the rafters of the barn, ever watchful but with that clever twinkle in his eye.

Breed Standard: American Shorthair

GENERAL: the American Shorthair is a true breed of working cat. The conformation should be adapted for this with no part of the anatomy so exaggerated as to foster weakness. The general effect should be that of a strongly built, well balanced, symmetrical cat with conformation indicating power, endurance, and agility.

SIZE: medium to large. No sacrifice of quality for the sake of size. Females may be less massive in all respects than males and should be rewarded equally if overall balance is correct.

PROPORTIONS: slightly longer than tall. (Height is profile measure from top of shoulder blades to ground. Length is profile measure from tip of breastbone to rear tip of buttocks.) Viewed from side, body can be divided into three equal parts: from tip of breastbone to elbow, from elbow to front of hindleg, and from front of hindleg to rear tip of buttocks. Length of tail is equal to distance from shoulder blades to base of tail.

HEAD: large, with full-cheeked face giving the impression of an oblong just slightly longer than wide. Sweet, open expression. Viewed from front, head can be divided in two equal parts; from base of ears to middle of eyes and from middle of eyes to chin tip.

EARS: medium size, slightly rounded at tips and not unduly open at base. Distance between ears, measured from lower inner corners, twice distance between eyes.

FOREHEAD: viewed in profile, forehead forms smooth, moderately convex continuous curve flowing over top of head into neck. Viewed from front, there is no dome between ears.

EYES: large and wide with upper lid shaped like half an almond (cut lengthwise) and lower lid shaped in a fully rounded curve. At least width of one eye between eyes. Outer corners set very slightly higher than inner corners. Bright, clear and alert.

NOSE: medium length, same width for entire length. Viewed in profile, gentle concavely curved rise from bridge of nose to forehead.

MUZZLE: squared. Definite jowls in mature males.

JAWS: strong and long enough to successfully grasp prey. Both level and scissors bites considered equally correct. (In level bite, top and bottom front teeth meet evenly. In scissors bite, inside edge of top front teeth touch outside edge of lower front teeth.)

CHIN: firm and well-developed, forming perpendicular line with upper lip.

NECK: medium in length, muscular and strong.

BODY: solidly built, powerful, and muscular with well-developed shoulders, chest, and hindquarters. Back broad, straight and level. Viewed in profile, slight slope down from hip bone to base of tail. Viewed from above, outer lines of body parallel.

LEGS: medium in length and bone, heavily muscled. Viewed from rear, all four legs straight and parallel with paws facing forward.

PAWS: firm, full and rounded, with heavy pads. Toes: five in front, four behind .

TAIL: medium long, heavy at base, tapering to abrupt blunt end in appearance but with normal tapering final vertebrae.

COAT: short, thick, even and hard in texture. Regional and seasonal variation in coat thickness allowed. Coat dense enough to protect from moisture, cold, and superficial skin injuries.

PENALIZE: excessive cobbiness or ranginess. Very short tail.

DISQUALIFY: cats showing evidence of hybridization resulting in the colors chocolate, sable, lavender, lilac, or point-restricted (i.e. Siamese-type markings). Any appearance of hybridization with any other breed - including long or fluffy fur, deep nose break, bulging eye set, brow ridge. Kinked or abnormal tail. Locket or button (white spots on colors not specifying same). Incorrect number of toes. Undershot or overshot bite. Tongue persistently protruding. Obesity or emaciation. Any feature so exaggerated as to foster weakness.

reference: The Cat Fanciers' Association, inc.

http://www.cfainc.org/breeds/standards/american-sh.html