Consider Folding the Scottish Way, with the Scottish Fold Cat That Is!

Articles on Cats | Topics: cats, cat, kitten, kitty

by Nirvelli Yates

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.

Historical Quote

Even cats grow lonely and anxious.

—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)

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.

We strive to provide only high quality articles on our website. If there is a specific cats-related topic that you would like us to cover, please contact us here.

Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Consider Folding the Scottish Way, with the Scottish Fold Cat That Is!" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by DogsPetsCats.com.

Pet Protection Plans in an Emergency
By Keyna Foreman
With the world experiencing more natural disasters than ever, it is necessary to develop emergency plans for your household and family. If you are a pet owner, this also means including your pets in your emergency plans....

Three Ways to Combat Separation Anxiety in Dogs
By Jaheem McFarland
You leave and he howls. Not just for a moment, but seemingly forever....

Pamper your Cat with the Best in Kitty Kibble
By Abijah Irwin
Do you want to give your cat the very best quality of life possible? A well cared for pet can live many years beyond the average lifespan if fed and cared for properly. If you want to ensure the best health for your cat, the best way to do this is to guard their diet carefully....

Dog Gift Baskets
By Kent Mullins
Ever wonder what a unique gift for someone who owns a pet might be? One of the nicest and most welcome items you can give to a friend who has just adopted a new puppy is dog gift baskets. Not only does this provide all the essentials they’ll need to begin caring for their furry friend, but it also shows how happy you are for them as they take this new step in their lives....