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American Shorthair vs Scottish Fold
Both are calm, quiet, common shorthairs; the Scottish Fold carries a known cartilage and bone disorder, the American Shorthair a shorter watch-list.
Verdict
These two are close in temperament. Both are medium-sized, calm, quiet, common cats that suit apartments and families. The American Shorthair is sturdier, more independent and a little more active, with top marks for children. The Scottish Fold has lower energy, round-faced and relaxed, but the fold itself is linked to a well-documented, painful cartilage and bone disorder. Breeding is restricted in some places. The one thing that decides it is the health and welfare question: ask your vet before choosing a Fold.
Choose the American Shorthair if
- You want a calm cat without a breed-defining joint disorder.
- You want the more independent and slightly more active cat.
- You have young children.
- You want a wide range of colours and a hard, easy coat.
Choose the Scottish Fold if
- You want a quiet, round-faced cat with a plush coat.
- You accept the welfare debate and the breeding restrictions in some places.
- You will follow strict breeding and vet advice.
- You can choose a breeder who is open about health.
Where they are alike
Both are common, with moderate shedding and modest grooming needs. Each lists hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, so ask your vet about it.
Side by side
| American Shorthair | Scottish Fold | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Shorthair | Rex, hairless, fold and dwarf |
| Origin | North America, from European cats brought by settlers | Scotland |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Typical weight | 6-15 lb (2.7-6.8 kg); males are larger | 6-13 lb (2.7-6 kg); males are larger |
| Lifespan | — | About 11-15 years in healthy cats; severely affected cats may do worse |
| Coat length | Short | Short |
| Coat | Short, dense, hard-textured coat that protects against cold and scratches | Dense, plush coat that stands off the body; a longhair variety also exists |
| Cat Fanciers' Association | — | Championship breed since 1978 |
| How common | Common | Common |
| Affection | 3 | 4 |
| Energy | 3 | 2 |
| Playfulness | 3 | 3 |
| Talkativeness | 2 | 2 |
| Grooming needed | 2 | 2 |
| Shedding | 3 | 3 |
| Good with children | 5 | 4 |
| Good with other pets | 4 | 4 |
| Happy alone | 4 | 3 |
| 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. | — |
| Suits | A family or first-time owner that wants a calm, durable, low-maintenance cat that copes with busy homes. | A person or family who values a quiet, round-faced cat and is prepared to follow strict breeding and vet advice. |
| Less suited to | Anyone looking for a very talkative, clingy or highly acrobatic cat. | Anyone who does not want to take on a breed with a known, painful joint disorder, or who lives where breeding is restricted. |
| 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