An all-American breed, the American Shorthair cat has a round face and short ears. They are often confused with domestic mixed-breed cats but are purebreds. The domestic shorthair cat breed was renamed in 1966 to distinguish it from the 4. This medium sized cat has a gentle nature that makes this breed a great companion for families with children or other pets. American Shorthair is one of the most popular cat breeds in North America.