domestic shorthair
> I'm in search for the correct English term that describe a shorthaired cat
> that does not have a pedigree or belong to a recognized cat breed. I need
> it for a good friend who is translating a part of her site (about hand
> rearing kittens) from Dutch into English.
>
> http://orphanedkittens.kruimelhuis.nl/
>
> In my search on the internet I found the following words, but which one is
> the correct one?
>
> Domestic cat
> Stray cat
> Moggie
> House cat
> breedless cat
> Domestic shorthaired cat
>
> Thank you in advance for your effort and your answers.
That would depend on the target audience: for a general audience, I'd use
"domestic shorthair", understanding that the term actually refers to a
specific breed of shorthairs; for more cat aware people - those who are
likely to know that "domestic shorthair" is a specific breed and are
familiar with cat jargon and slang, I'd use "moggie" (short for "mongrel",
which I would *never* use for a cat because of its association with dogs).
The most generic term is simply "cat" - in general usage, if the cat is
something other than a random bred shorthair, a modifier woudld be used if
needed: "Main Coon type" (or other breed "type" if the cat isn't the breed
but resembles it), "longhair", or its breed name if it is a specific
recognized breed. For example, I could say I have fifteen cats: four
longhairs, of which one is a Main Coon Cat type, and eleven other cats.
(None of mine is known to be any specific breed, most are actually barn
cats, including two longhairs and a red tabby colorpoint, or something
similar.) I think the best general usage might be to refer to breeds by
name and everything else as "cat".
--
T.E.D. (tda...@mst.edu)
My vet uses DSH (for "domestic shorthaired) on his office forms. Most
people I talk to use that term or "mixed breed." I rather like the English
term "moggie." I don't know that there really is a "correct" term, but
"stray cat" certainly would not be a good description unless the cat really
is stray (not a person's beloved pet, for example).
MaryL
Like Mary says, there isn't really a generic term for a non-pedigreed
cat. An old term is "alley cat," but that often has negative
connotations. I would just used mixed breed or domestic shorthair as
well.
Rene
In Great Britain it's "moggie". In the U.S. it's "domestic shorthaired cat".
British Shorthair.
--
Count Baldoni
Coloration can be added as well, as in "tabby".
I've seen moggie on the internet, but never heard it from the Humane Society
or a vet.
I'll have to check its origin.
Mine is now over 16 years old.
"Baldoni" <baldo...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:6j6n5vF...@mid.individual.net...
The main distinctions seem to be long and short-hair, and the pattern of
colour markings, outside of specific breeding circles.
"Ralph" <aj...@ncf.ca> wrote in message news:galval$nle$1...@theodyn.ncf.ca...
Rubbish..! My Missy is a moggy and proud of it :-) And I am of her also
:-)
Ivor
Really? Where? It was the accepted term for "a cat of indeterminate
breeding" when I lived in England. No negative associations at all...
jmc, owned by Meep the Moggie Travelcat
As I said, it was only a suggestion, and I "exclaimed" nothing.
I have not heard the term used in my experience in Canada, and oddly enough,
looked it up.
Historically, it has a coloured and indeterminate (how appropriate!) past,
and almost opposite definitions.
For clarity, I'd still suggest the vets Domestic Short Hair.
I know it's boring. Those offended can go ... look it up.
I presented information.
My own cat falls into (!) this catagory, but I doubt I'll ever use the term,
except to see who knows it on "this side of the pond".
"jmc" <NOnewsgr...@NOjodiBODY.HOMEus> wrote in message
news:6j86suF...@mid.individual.net...