This is one of the oldest breeds among show cats, but it is nevertheless rare because breeders have great difficulty in maintaining the purity of color required for show. Kittens are commonly marked with bands of darker color on the tail, legs, and face, but if these do not disappear by the time the kitten is about two months old they will remain throughout the animal's life, disqualifying it for exhibition purposes. The eyes are coppery gold.

Cream Shorthairs are even-tempered and make excellent pets. Those with defects that eliminate them from shows are still handsome enough to earn admiring comments.