| American Shorthair | Burmese | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 10-16 years |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 8-15 lb | 8-12 lb |
| Energy | Moderate | High |
| Grooming | Low | Low |
| Shedding | Low | Low |
| With kids | Good with kids | Good with kids |
The 'all-American working cat' story implies a hardy, mixed-heritage constitution, but this is a closed pedigree bred like any other purebred, and Cornell's feline health center lists American Shorthair among the breeds with an elevated rate of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy — the same silent heart disease people specifically worry about in Maine Coons.
The extremely rounded, short-faced 'contemporary' Burmese head comes from a gene that is lethal in double dose — kittens born with two copies have severe skull and facial malformations incompatible with life and are euthanized shortly after birth.
American Shorthair ·
Burmese
Health problems, origin and what living with each is actually like.