Originating in the southern United States, American Keuda Cats were originally intended to be barn cats. Their name is an acronym standing for a project conducted in Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico to investigate which cat "type" would function better than others in the capacity of a barn cat. It stands for Kitten Evaluation Under Direct Assessment and was conducted in the 1980's.

For the most part Keudas are energetic and outgoing. American Keuda Cats are social animals and get along well in groups. The colony spirit is strong in this breed and they will often mother the new kitten or defend the garden from the dog next door, yet they will befriend the family dog. They have been reported to do well with children and dogs as well. They often like to play in water and may attempt to share their owner's shower or "help" with the dishes. It is advisable to keep fish bowls covered in their presence. They are fascinating by floating objects like toys in a tub and will swat at water dripping from faucets. Like many cats, American Keuda Cats are active and athletic and enjoy running and playing. They may be taught to walk on a leash and are generally considered to be quite intelligent. American Keuda Cats have strong, insistent personalities and although they are affectionate, will only be persuaded to do things on their own terms. They enjoy warmer temperatures, as they do not have a thick undercoat to keep them warm.

With a rather unusual, though nevertheless beautiful body type, the American Keuda Cat is distinctive because of its foreign shape and belly flap! The bone structure is medium to large, and nicely muscled. American Keuda Cats have loose skin, which falls into a belly flap and into flaps at each elbow, allowing the cats to hyperextend their legs for running or defensive movements. These cats are semi-foreign in build with a modified wedge head; teacup muzzle and moderately large ears, making the head appear triangular. The fur is silky soft, and comes in a variety of familiar patterns and solid colors. Most common are black, white, blue, smoke, brown tabby, silver tabby, color point, red, and recently, piebalds. The coat is medium to short in length and sleek, and its texture is such that unwanted plant material does not stick in the coat. The have almond shaped eyes. The triangular ears of the American Keuda Cat are slightly rounded and are set well back on the head. Sometimes the ears are tufted, and there are medium hairs inside them. The legs of American Keuda Cats are well muscled and are about the same length in the forequarters and hindquarters, allowing a fairly level back when the cat is standing. They have long tapering tails.

Today, Keuda Cats are a recognized breed and are valued as family pets and as show animals. Only Keuda Cats descended from the original barn cats are allowed to be registered and shown. Although many people speculate that Egyptian Mau Cats were used to develop American Keudas, there is no substantial evidence known that can support such a claim. Isolated and remote colonies, which have been checked as fully as possible for the oldest lines, have been the source for the breeding cats. The American Keuda Cat Association is the group presently responsible for the Keuda Cats' preservation and quality control. Shows are held and cats are judged according to the Keuda Breed Standard and AKCA rules. The AKCA is a preservation group dedicated to maintaining a hardy, natural cat with the best possible health and appearance a natural cat can have.

American Keuda Cats cannot tolerate extreme cold well, since they have no undercoat. American Keuda Cats having a thick undercoat will be penalized in show; their coats should be silky and slick. Other penalties will be marked for large, protruding or round eyes; lack of or small skin flaps; short muzzles; and short front legs. American Keuda Cats who exhibit short legs typical to Munchkin cats; kinked tails; missing tails; atypical toe number; or Persian-like nose breaks will be disqualified.

Outcrossed American Keuda Cats are not acceptable for registration with the breed society. The only cats that make acceptable parents are those ranch cats established as American Keuda Cats since 1980. Less than 100 who are crossed to cats of unknown origin will be allowed.