Like the domestic long-haired cat, this is not a breed, but a non-breed classification of mixed-breed cats. Domestic cat (Felis catus) A domestic short-haired cat is a cat of mixed ancestry—thus not belonging to any particular recognized cat breed—possessing a coat of short fur. In British English, they are often referred to as moggies. Domestic short-haired cats should not be confused with the British Shorthair, American Shorthair, or other standardized breeds with "Shorthair" names, which are breeds recognized by various registries. Domestic short-haireds are the most common cat in the United States, accounting for around 90–95% of their number. Other generic terms include house cat and alley cat (the latter may be used more specifically to refer to feral specimens). The term tabby cat technically refers to a coat pattern, but is also often used as a general term for cats of this sort.