Medical, Genetic & Behavioral Risk Factors of American Shorthair Cats

Ross D. Clark DVM

Jan 2017 · Xlibris Corporation

About this ebook

Although this native cat has been around for centuries, probably aboard with the pilgrims on the Mayflower, it was not recognized until the early 1900s. This cat could be found on farms, near barns, or in the house performing its duties as a pest controller. Due to the harsh living conditions this working cat was exposed to, it developed into a powerful, tough breed. In 1900 or 1901, the first short-haired cat was registered. However, it was actually a red tabby British shorthair called Belie. Finally, in 1904, a male smoke named Buster Brown was registered and recognized as the first member of American heritage. Through good breeding programs, the American shorthair gradually became established and separated from its European cousins. Progress was visible by the 1930s and 1940s, and by 1950, the CFA printed a stud book listing fifty domestic shorthairs. Prior to 1966, this breed was known as the Domestic shorthair, a title that is still commonly used. The American shorthair is the sixth most popular breed registered by the CFA based on 2014 registrations. Nonpedigree American shorthairs referred to as Domestics were considered foundation stock and were accepted by the CFA until January of 1985. Since many alley cats may look like purebred American shorthairs, breeders are continually having to display the differences between their purebred animals and those of a combination of various matings. The actual proof of a purebred American shorthair is that it will produce a uniform litter of kittens which are all the same type.

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About the author

Ross D. Clark, DVM is the founder of Woodland PetCare Centers and a cofounder of National PetCare Centers. He received his doctor of veterinary medicine degree in 1963 from Kansas State University. He is practice management editor for Veterinary Economics Magazine and served as president of the Tulsa County Veterinary Medical Association, the Oklahoma Veterinary Medical Association, and also as president of the Western Veterinary Conference—the world’s largest continuing education conference for veterinarians. American Animal Hospital Association named him Outstanding Practitioner for the Western Region in 1987 and National Merit Award Winner in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in 1991. Veterinary Partners Incorporated, an organization of veterinarians, lawyers, and accountants that do practice management consulting, recognized Dr. Clark with their prestigious Pioneer Award at the Western Veterinary Conference in 2004. He served two terms as president of Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Alumni Association from 1990 to 1992, and Kansas State University named him an alumni fellow in February of 2003. Over the past forty-five years, Dr. Clark and his partners have cared for show dogs from most states in the United States of America, plus show dogs from Canada, Mexico, and Spain. He is the author of eight books, including Medical, Genetic, and Behavioral Aspects of Purebred Cats and the coauthor of the first and second edition of Medical and Genetic Aspects of Purebred Dogs. He is also author of four management books: first, a practice management manual; second, The Best of Ross Clark; third, Mastering the Marketplace—Taking Your Practice to the Top; and his latest book, Open Book Management for Veterinary Hospital Teams. He has toured throughout the world as a practice management lecturer and consultant. In addition, Dr. Clark has been a Veterinary Economics “Hospital of the Year” judge for over twenty-eight years. Dr. Clark is currently owner and managing partner of four small animal practices and three pet resorts in Oklahoma. Dr. Clark and his team have been doing veterinary practice management consultation, seminars, and appraisals since 1981. Ross is married to Linda Clark, and they have two children, twins Kent and Kimberly Clark.