Where are domestic shorthair cats from?

Domestic shorthair cats don’t have a single origin story or a specific place they come from. Instead, they’re a mix of various cats who evolved over time. 

Not to be confused with British or American Shorthairs or any of the other “Shorthair” suffix breeds, the domestic shorthair is a non-standardized breed, unrecognized by any major cat registries, and their story starts with early domestic cats, who were mostly short-haired and interbred with diverse populations as people traveled thousands of years ago. This natural blending of genes led to the diverse domestic shorthairs we see today. By the Middle Ages, cats had made their way to various parts of the world with explorers and settlers, continuing to adapt and evolve as they went.

Nowadays, domestic shorthairs are most commonly found as pets. Their adaptable nature and short coats make them ideal companions for many people. They’re also still valued in some rural areas for their skills in rodent control. In animal shelters and rescue organizations, they’re often the most common cats you’ll find, and their varied backgrounds and adaptable personalities make them great candidates for adoption in all sorts of homes.