What is the difference between a "Domestic Shorthair" and an "American Shorthair"?

There is a paralell in Europe; feks  in Sweden the "peasant cat" and the European cat.  The European Cat is a breed, with breeders and with fully pedigree (table of ancestors) and certificate.

However, as  the European is a natural breed, their ancestors were choosen from among "peasant cats".

Thus, there are quite many "peasant cats" or friendly speaking, DSH,  who are  look alikes of decent Europeans... 

And thus, there is some bewilderment among many common people.  Even some vets describe their patients wrongly.   :(

I presume there is a similiar development in the  American short hair.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StefanZ 

However, as  the European is a natural breed, their ancestors were choosen from among "peasant cats".

Thus, there are quite many "peasant cats" or friendly speaking, DSH,  who are  look alikes of decent Europeans... 

And thus, there is some bewilderment among many common people.  Even some vets describe their patients wrongly.   :(

 

The exactly same thing happens here too. :( The vets just don't know better and have sometimes caused people to get misinformed and later when they find out their kitty is not a European SH they are deeply disappointed (for example if they thought they could now take the cat to a show as a pedigreed kitty).

They still accept novices from "peasant cats" into the breed, can't remember if that's possible only for Scandinavian/Fenno-Scandian cats.

But yeah, American Shorthair is a recognized breed like Persian for example, whereas domestic shorhair is no breed, it's a cat without a pedigree.

Basically, it's the same thing, the same breed but one has a pedigree to it and the other doesn't.  That is my understanding of it. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by P3 and The King 

Basically, it's the same thing, the same breed but one has a pedigree to it and the other doesn't.  That is my understanding of it. 

Not that simple at all. A pedigree ASH does not look like a domestic, they are bred to a standard evolved over time, were domestics come in all shapes and sizes.