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Domestic Shorthair Breed Summary
Friendly, Playful, Loving
The Domestic Shorthair is one varied breed! They can come in a vast range of sizes, colors and statures – though they're generally muscular, hearty cats with round heads and round paws.
This kitty has a strong hunting instinct and will happily spend hours prowling outside looking for a catch, even if they're well-fed at home!
The Domestic Shorthair is somewhat unpredictable in that their personality can vary widely from one cat to the other. This is the result of being a mixed breed with various genes, which affects not just this kitty's looks but their character too! While some Domestic Shorthairs are calm and quiet, others may be more vocal and outgoing. Some are full of energy, while others are relaxed, cool cats. Ultimately, a well-socialized Domestic Shorthair will be a fur-bulous companion in any cat-loving family. Whether you have a busy or quiet household, these cats are a wonderfully welcome addition – they really are quite the cat-ch!
Fun Fact: This kitty loves to hunt! On average, a Domestic Shorthair that travels outside the home will spend up to six hours a day looking for a catch, so don't be surprised if your cat comes home with a lovely "present" to show off their hunting skills.
| Lifespan | 15 – 20 years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males and Females: 8 in – 9.8 in |
| Weight | Males: 10 lb – 12 lb, Females: 6 lb – 10 lb |
| Coat | Short, sleek and soft |
| Color | Various colors and patterns |
| Eye color | Green, blue, gold, hazel |
| Common health issues | Generally, very healthy. However, they can be prone to; hyperthyroidism, tummy upset, kidney disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, vomiting, urinary conditions |
| Other Names | Moggie, Mutt, Alley Cat, DSH |
Just as the Domestic Shorthair comes in a huge range of colors and patterns, their personalities can vary too. These cats can be affectionate, playful, calm, quiet, vocal, and everything in-between! However, they do tend to be social creatures, who are wonderful companions and friends to all, including children, seniors, and even other pets (providing they've had a proper introduction).
These kitties are classed as working cats due to their impressive hunting instinct and endurance skills, they're paw-ticularly good at balancing and leaping and it's these traits that make for one playful cat!
The DSH also benefits from having somewhere high up to perch and observe the world around them when they want some downtime, they especially enjoy keeping one eye on the creatures outside and the other on their humans in the home! Once they're comfortable and have a good sense of their surroundings, this cat loves to curl up in the nearest lap for a snooze.
The Domestic Shorthair (often commonly referred to as the DSH) are one of the most popular breeds in the world. However, these kitties are not a single recognized breed, but one that has mixed ancestry. Some even say these cats are like the mutts of the feline world.
However, despite not having a pedigree, this breed still boasts a purr-fectly rich history. It's believed the DSH was first domesticated in ancient Egypt around 2000 BC, while their roots can also be traced to the early days of pioneer settlement in North America. They were considered 'working cats' because of their dedication to helping catch rats and were even brought on voyage ships such as the Mayflower to help with rodent control. These furry hunters took care of vermin issues that settlers faced in the New World and in return were given a good meal, a warm bed and lots of love from their humans - the rest is hiss-tory!
While these cats still enjoy hunting – and even presenting their "prizes" to their humans - they are now more commonly kept as loving companions and are one of the most popular pets around today. Though these cats come in a vast range of sizes and colors they do have one very important thing in common; they're adored by their families. Even though their status might mean that Domestic Shorthair cats are not eligible for official showing, they're still accepted by Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) in the Household Pets category, where they can compete for the Grand Household Pet of the year award. Pets in this category are judged completely on their uniqueness, appearance, unusual markings and dispositions. This means that despite not being purebred, your DSH can still have their chance in the spotlight!