Domestic Shorthair Cats

Posted by Jeanne on January 29, 2009

A domestic shorthaired cat (DSH) is a cat fancy term used to describe a shorthaired cat that does not have a pedigree or belong to a recognized cat breed. The domestic shorthair should not be confused with the American Shorthair, which is a Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) recognized breed.

Then there is, of course, the Domestic Shorthair. Not many of them would meet the exacting standards of the show ring, but should they find themselves there, the judge would look first for a body somewhat longer than the long-hair’s, slender, but deep and broad in the chest.

The head should have breadth between the ears, and a generally more angular appearance, owing to the slightly longer, more pointed nose and bushy cheeks.

The ears should be set more atop the head than is the case with long-hairs, and should stand about as high as they are broad at the base.

The tail should not be long and should taper to the tip and be carried level with the back. A lot of perky-tailed Domestics rule themselves out of elite classification on this score alone.

The eyes should be large and round and convey a pleasant expression. This is more important even than their color. If the cat looks grumpy or mean, owing to imperfect shape or spacing of the eyes (or to grumpiness or meanness), it won’t matter how beautiful their tint. Eye colors should complement body colors, as in the long-hairs.

Body colors are likewise similarly defined, although pure, unblemished coats are hard to come by in this crowd, and smokes and silvers are particularly rare. Tabby types, of course, are innumerable.