Featured Breed – Scottish Fold
09/05/2018
As the name might suggest, the Scottish Fold cat is in fact named for their folded ears. While this cat has an unmistakable look, they are known to love their humans unconditionally!
As the name might suggest, the Scottish Fold cat is in fact named for their folded ears. While this cat has an unmistakable look, they are known to love their humans unconditionally!
History
According to the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), the Scottish Fold originated around 1961. Story has it that a shepherd named William Ross saw the first known Scottish Fold, Susie the barn cat, at a farm in Scotland. Ross asked if he could have a kitten and would then develop the breed.
Over the last two decades, the Scottish Fold cat has developed a look of its own, even crossing American Shorthairs and British Shorthairs. It first came into the United States in 1971, and by the mid-1970s it was one of the most recognized cat breeds in North America.
Looks & Care
This cat’s unique feature is the folded forward ears. As a result, the cat often looks like an owl or teddy bear and has captured the hearts of cat lovers. It was granted championship status in 1978 by the CFA.
The Scottish Fold is a medium-sized cat with a rounded body and short resilient coat. Aside from its famous ears, its large, round, broadly spaced eyes immediately capture your attention. It has a short nose with a gentle curve in the profile.
If you’ve ever seen a Scottish Fold kitten, you’ll know that they are actually born with straight ears. At about 3-4 weeks old, their ears fold. Although most do fold over, some ears don’t and remain straight throughout the cat’s lifetime.
Personality
The Scottish Fold is extremely adaptable and is comfortable in almost any situation, as long as they are with their human(s). As it’s an undemanding cat, a clean environment, proper nutrition and lots of love are its only necessities.
- The folded ears are a trait caused by an incomplete dominant gene.
- They are born with straight ears that usually fold around 3-4 weeks of age.
- Scottish Folds were once called “Lops” as they look a bit like lop-eared rabbits.
- They are known for sitting, standing or laying in comical positions.
- Taylor Swift owns two Scottish Folds named Olivia Benson and Meredith Grey.