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American Shorthair
The all-round working cat of North America — sturdy, healthy and easy to live with.
How to spot it
A solid, well-balanced cat 4–7 kg with a broad face, full cheeks and a dense, hard short coat in dozens of colours; the silver classic tabby is the best-known. Bred from working farm and ship cats, it is built for substance, not extremes.
Personality
Even-tempered, friendly and adaptable — affectionate without being demanding, good with children and other pets, and content to entertain itself. A genuinely easy family cat.
Grooming & coat care
The short coat needs only a weekly brush, with a little more during the seasonal moult.
Health & lifespan
Often 15–20 years — one of the longer-lived, hardier breeds; watch for HCM and, as with any easy-keeper, weight gain.
Living with one in India
A hardy, adaptable breed that copes well with an ordinary indoor Indian home; a weekly brush and a cool spot in the hot hours are about all the extra care it needs.
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