| American Shorthair | Oriental Shorthair | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 12-15 years |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 8-15 lb | 6-12 lb |
| Energy | Moderate | High |
| Grooming | Low | Low |
| Shedding | Low | Moderate |
| With kids | Good with kids | With supervision |
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.
Oriental Shorthairs are Siamese in a different coat, including the same nonstop, opinionated vocalizing — often described as sounding more like a goose honking than a meow — and it is not occasional; it is how this breed communicates its needs and displeasure at all hours, 3am included.
American Shorthair ·
Oriental Shorthair
Health problems, origin and what living with each is actually like.