The Pixie-Like
Scottish Fold Cat

Impish and good-tempered, the Scottish Fold cat has recruited admirers from cat fanciers all over the world.  But what makes the Scottish Fold Cat so special?  Scottish Folds have an intriguing history, and an even more intriguing physical attribute that makes this breed so unique and popular.

History of the Scottish Fold Cat

As the name would imply, the origins of the Scottish Fold cat can be traced to Scotland, where Susie, the first Scottish Fold cat was identified.  Susie was a farm cat.  William Ross, a local farmer near Coupar Angus, noticed Susie in a neighbor's barn.  Her ears folded down and were placed forward on her head, giving her face a rounded, owl-like appearance.  William Ross and his wife Mary took great interest in Susie, taking care of her and the litter she gave birth to a year later.  Susie gave birth to two kittens that also had the distinct folded down ears.  The Ross' adopted one of Susie's kittens and named her Snooks.  Later, Snooks was bred with a British shorthair, and the Scottish Fold breed was officially registered in Great Britain. 

In the 1970s, Mary Ross sent some of her Scottish Folds to an American geneticist named Dr. Neil Todd.  Dr. Todd arranged the breeding of the first litter Scottish Fold cats on American soil.  This first American-born litter was born on November 30, 1971.  By 1973, the Scottish Fold cat had been accepted by the American Cat Association and Cat Fancier's Association. 

The Physical Side of the Scottish Shorthair

Over the three decades that the Scottish Shorthair has been bred, the Scottish Shorthair has developed a very distinctive look.  Most Scottish Shorthairs are medium sized, with an average weight of 6 to 13 pounds.  Scottish Shorthairs are plush, well padded, and generally give the appearance of being very soft and round.  Scottish Fold cats have large eyes and display a calm, sweet expression.  The Scottish Fold cat has curved mouth, small nose, and prominent whiskers are often described as resembling a "smiling cat" appearance.

The Scottish Fold cat's coat is generally short, thick, and plush, although there are longhaired versions of the Scottish Fold cat.  The long hair Scottish Fold cat has a medium-length coat.  Their coat must be brushed regularly, especially during their shedding period.  The Scottish Shorthair comes in all colors, including tabby, calico, and tortoiseshell motifs, although they do not appear in pointed colors, which include colors recognized in Eastern breeds such as the Siamese.

The most notable feature of the Scottish Shorthair is, of course, its ears.  The Scottish Shorthair's ears can range from very small to medium-sized.  The fold in a shorthair's ear can range widely, from a slight curve at the tip of the ear, to a tightly curved pattern. 

The Scottish Fold cat is a hardy cat with an average lifespan of 10 years old, although a well-cared for cat can live up to 15 years.  Scottish Folds are susceptible to a degenerative joint disease that occurs when folded ear cats are bred to other folded ear cats.  Legitimate breeders will, then, only breed normal, straight-eared cats to folded ear cats.  Scottish Fold cats stricken with the degenerative joint disease will display a short, thickened tail.  Eventually, this joint disease will cause a cat's tail and legs to become stiff and to fuse.  Although it causes the cat considerable discomfort and threatens their ease of mobility, the disease is not life threatening.

A Sweet Disposition: The Temperament of the Scottish Shorthair

The Scottish Fold cat is widely known as a sweet, docile cat that is both affectionate and independent.  They are active and playful, but do enjoy time alone to nap and wander.  The Scottish Fold cat is famous for its large eyes and perpetually sweet expression.  They are relaxed and adapt well to new environments.  The Scottish Fold cat has a soft voice and will not vocalize often. The Scottish Fold cat is also famous for its curious 'seal stance,' which describes the way the Scottish Fold cat sits upright like a seal.  If you work long hours, consider getting a companion for your Scottish Fold cat.  The Scottish Fold cat gets along well with other cats.  They are generally not aggressive toward other pets, although the Scottish Fold cat is known to be an excellent hunter.