| American Shorthair | Tonkinese | |
|---|---|---|
| Lifespan | 15-20 years | 12-16 years |
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 8-15 lb | 6-12 lb |
| Energy | Moderate | Very 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 Tonkinese is a Siamese-Burmese cross bred to be a 'best of both' companion, but that also means an extremely vocal, attention-demanding cat that will talk back and follow you room to room — the opposite of the low-maintenance lap cat its short coat might suggest.
American Shorthair ·
Tonkinese
Health problems, origin and what living with each is actually like.