American Wirehairs look and act a lot like American Shorthairs, and they should, since Wirehairs are really Shorthairs with a mutated gene. The gene that makes Wirehairs have kinky, wiry fur is really an abnormality. While Mother Nature didn't intend these cats to look this way, breeders liked the way the defect looked, so they breeded the cats to keep it going. All hairs on an American Wirehair should be crimped--even the hair inside the ears. The whiskers should be crimped too. These medium-sized cats come in many different colors and patterns; the silver tabby is especially popular.

Their eyes are very rounded and large and should be a bright gold. They are a well tempered cat and are very affectionate, liking lots of attention.