Where do Scottish Folds come from?
The first Scottish fold cat appeared on a farm near Coupar Angus, Scotland, in 1961. A local shepherd noticed that Susie, a shorthaired white cat had strangely crumpled ears and it is from this Susie that all Folds today can trace their heritage.
The ears fold through a spontaneous and inheritable defect in the mesoderm. This changed gene whilst dominant is an incomplete dominant i.e. it has to be present in one parent for the offspring to have folded ears.
General Appearance:
The Scottish Fold is matched with a distinctive “look” and personality. When you think about a this breed, think Round, the head, eyes, and muzzle should be round. The body should be medium with a medium to long tail but in proportion to the body. The tail should be flexible and tapering. The coat should be dense, plush medium soft.
Its crowning glory, the Scottish Fold’s ears, come in all degrees of folds ranging from medium-sized “perk” ears to the cherished small, tightly folded ear. The breed may have either a long or short coat which might come in over 40 different colors the same as the British Shorthair.
Their large round eyes and folded ears, coupled with expressive looks, intelligence, and inquisitive nature make them a wonderful extension to the family home.
Breeding and Genetics:
Breeding Scottish Folds requires special knowledge and patience in the breeding program.
The kittens are not born with the breed’s distinctive ears and not all kittens’ ears will fold. The kittens with pert ears are called Scottish Shorthairs. The kittens that carry the gene will start to fold at 2-3 weeks with a crimp at the outer edge of the ear, which gradually tightens and the tips fold down into the head, giving the appearance of the ears sliding off the top of the head.
There are different types of ear folding: the single, the loose in back, front-in-tight, the cropped to the head, the double tight fold and the capped to the head fold (which is the most desirable).
They require minimal care to maintain health and vigor. They are a treasure to own and will provide the family with lots of love and entertainment for many years.
Many thanks to Robbie Walker of Glencairn Cattery in Australia for both the description of a Scottish Fold
Cute Scottish Fold Swag
What to buy the Scottish Fold lover who has everything? If the amazing cat bubble backpack is not up their alley and they are not big on cat jewelry, here are some breed specific gift ideas that might do the trick.
