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American Shorthair vs British Shorthair
Two calm, independent shorthairs; the British Shorthair is stockier, quieter and sheds more, the American Shorthair a little livelier.
Verdict
These two are close. Both are common, calm, independent shorthairs that cope with a workday alone and carry a heart condition on their watch-lists. The British Shorthair is the stockier and more placid, with the quietest voice and the lowest energy, and its dense plush coat sheds heavily in season. The American Shorthair is a little livelier and more playful, scores top marks with children and sheds less. The one thing that decides it is how much calm and plush coat you want.
Choose the American Shorthair if
- You want a slightly livelier and more playful cat.
- You have young children, as it scores top marks with them.
- You want a harder, shorter coat with less shedding.
- You want a wide choice of over 80 colours and patterns.
Choose the British Shorthair if
- You want the calmest, quietest cat of the two.
- You live in a small flat, where it scores top marks.
- You like a stocky body, round face and plush coat, and will brush through the seasonal shed.
- You will ask your vet about its kidney and heart screening.
Where they are alike
Both are medium-sized, undemanding cats with modest grooming needs. Both get on well with other pets.
Side by side
| American Shorthair | British Shorthair | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | North America, from European cats brought by settlers | United Kingdom |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-15 lb (2.7-6.8 kg); males are larger | 7-17 lb (3-8 kg); males are heavier |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Short, dense, hard-textured coat that protects against cold and scratches | Very dense, plush, even coat with a crisp texture |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Affection | 3 | 3 |
| Energy | 3 | 2 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 1 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 2 |
| Shedding | 3 | 4 |
| Good with children | 5 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 4 | 4 |
| Trainability | 3 | 3 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 5 |
| Allergies | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds steadily, and people who react to cats are likely to react to this breed. | No breed is hypoallergenic. The dense coat sheds heavily in season, and people who react to cats are likely to react to this breed. |
| Suits | A family or first-time owner that wants a calm, durable, low-maintenance cat that copes with busy homes. | A quiet household or apartment that wants a calm, undemanding, easygoing cat. |
| Less suited to | Anyone looking for a very talkative, clingy or highly acrobatic cat. | Anyone who wants a lap cat that wants to be carried, or a very active and playful companion. |
| Registries that recognise it |
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| Health conditions to watch |
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Facts come from each breed's profile. Scores run from 1 (low) to 5 (high) and describe a breed in general. Every cat is an individual, so meet the cat before you decide.
Last reviewed November 7, 2026