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American Shorthair vs European Shorthair
Two hardy, independent barn-cat-type shorthairs; the European Shorthair is livelier and rarer, the American Shorthair calmer and common.
Verdict
These two are close. Both are medium-sized, hardy, independent shorthairs with quiet voices and the same moderate affection, and both cope with a workday alone. The American Shorthair is calm, common, top-rated for children and better suited to apartments. The European Shorthair is livelier, scores higher for play, is rare in North America and is not recognised by the CFA. The one thing that decides it is energy: choose the American Shorthair for a steady household cat and the European Shorthair for a more active hunter.
Choose the American Shorthair if
- You want the calmer cat.
- You have young children or live in an apartment.
- You want a breed that is easy to find in North America.
- You like many colour choices, including silver, shaded, smoke and calico.
Choose the European Shorthair if
- You want a livelier, more playful cat that is still independent.
- You like the natural, barn-cat look in black, blue, red, cream or white.
- You have room for it to play.
- You will accept a rarer breed that may mean a search.
Where they are alike
Both have short, dense coats with moderate shedding and modest grooming needs. Each has a short health watch-list, so ask your vet about it.
Side by side
| American Shorthair | European Shorthair | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Shorthair |
| Origin | North America, from European cats brought by settlers | Continental Europe |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-15 lb (2.7-6.8 kg); males are larger | 7-15 lb (3.2-6.8 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | — | 12-15 years |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Short, dense, hard-textured coat that protects against cold and scratches | Short, dense, glossy coat |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Not recognised by the CFA |
| How common | Common | Rare |
| Affection | 3 | 3 |
| Energy | 3 | 4 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 4 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 1 |
| Shedding | 3 | 3 |
| Good with children | 5 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 4 | 4 |
| Trainability | 3 | 4 |
| Suits a small home | 4 | 3 |
| 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 short coat sheds moderately, and people who react to cats usually 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 household that wants a hardy, easy-going, natural-looking cat with an independent streak. |
| Less suited to | Anyone looking for a very talkative, clingy or highly acrobatic cat. | Anyone who wants a very cuddly lap cat or a breed that is easy to find in North America. |
| 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