Domestic short-haired cat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Domestic short-haired cat |
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Tabby male domestic short-haired cat
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| Other names |
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| Common nicknames | moggie, mutt |
| Origin | Worldwide |
| Variety status | Not recognised as a standardised breed by any major breed registry. |
| Notes | |
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Like the domestic long-haired cat, this is not a breed, but a non-breed classification of mixed-breed cat.
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| Domestic cat (Felis catus) | |
A domestic short-haired cat is a common type of cat. These cats have a mix of different cat ancestors. This means they don't belong to any specific, recognized cat breed. They all have short fur. In some places, like Britain, people call them moggies.
Domestic short-haired cats are different from specific breeds like the British Shorthair or American Shorthair. These other breeds are officially recognized. Domestic short-haired cats are very common in the United States. About 90–95% of cats there are domestic short-hairs. Other names for them include house cat or alley cat. The term "alley cat" can sometimes mean a feral cat, which lives in the wild.
Contents
What is a Domestic Shorthair Cat?
Domestic short-haired cats are not a specific breed. Instead, they are a general type of cat. Cat experts, veterinarians, and animal shelters use special names for them. These names help to classify them. Some common terms include:
- Domestic Shorthair (often shortened to DSH)
- House Cat, Shorthair (HCS)
- Shorthair Household Pet
These names help organizations keep track of cats. Even though they aren't purebred, some mixed-breed cats can still enter cat shows. Many shows have special "Household Pet" divisions for them. The rules for these shows can be different. For example, the Fédération Internationale Féline (FIFe) allows almost any cat to compete. They say "any eye colour, all coat colours and patterns, any coat length or texture, and any length of tail" is okay. Other groups, like the World Cat Federation, might have stricter rules about colors.
Why Do Domestic Shorthairs Look Different?
Domestic short-haired cats come in many different colors and patterns. After a few generations, their coats often "revert to type." This means they usually end up looking like a tabby cat. A tabby cat can have stripes, spots, or swirled patterns. They can also be any color or mix of colors.
These cats also have many different body shapes and sizes. This is because they have a wide gene pool. A gene pool is all the different genes available in a group of animals. So, domestic short-haired cats in different countries often look different. For example, DSH cats in Asia might look like a "classic" Siamese. Cats in Europe and America often have a stronger, heavier build.
Health Benefits of Mixed Breeds
Mixed-breed domestic cats often have something called hybrid vigor. This means they are generally healthier and stronger. It's because they have a diverse gene pool. They are less likely to have genetic health problems. Purebred cats, on the other hand, sometimes have health issues that breeders must carefully check for. This is because purebred cats have a smaller gene pool.
How New Breeds Are Formed
Over time, groups of freely breeding domestic short-haired cats can form unique local types. These are called landraces. These landraces have been the starting point for several official cat breeds. Examples include the European Shorthair (also known as Celtic Shorthair) and the American Shorthair.
Images for kids
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Non-pedigree cats can also compete and win at cat shows.
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House trained domestic shorthair cat looking at the camera.
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Black-and-white female domestic short-haired cat sleeping in a sunbeam
See also
In Spanish: Gato doméstico de pelaje corto para niños
