Scottish fold

History Scottish Fold
Suzie, the first Scottish Fold was discovered in 1961 by William and Mary Ross on a Scottish farm in Perth, in the region Tay, close to Coupar Angus. Suzie was a white cat and because of her lop-ears, folded forward and her huge spherical eyes her face looked like an owl. Since William and Mary Ross were fanciers, Suzie’s unusual appearance fascinated them. One year later Suzie gave birth to two kittens with lop-ears. The family Ross adopted one of them, the female cat Snooks. Snooks’ sun was crossed with a British short-hair and this was the beginning of this breed. In the end of the sixties William Ross made sure that the lop-ear cat was acknowledged by the  G.C.C.F. (The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) and he called the breed “Scottish Fold”.

In 1969 this breed was imported by American breeders. Fortunately, because in 1974 the G.C.C.F decided not to register the Scottish Fold anymore because of so-called problems like deafness and ear infections. We may not forget that the first Scottish Folds were white and that is probably the cause of their deafness. Their ears weren’t (and aren’t) more sensible than normal straight ears. Until now, the G.C.C.F. hasn’t accepted Folds. In 1982 the Scottish Fold was imported in France and Belgium (Mme Lisart, ‘Scottish Douglas’), in 1993 in Germany (Mrs. Ortrun Wagner, ‘Bryric Little Texas Bear’).

Genetics
The Fold’s gene, responsible for the folding ears, is a dominant gene. This means that only one of the two parents needs to be a Fold, in order to have Fold-kittens. Scottish Fold kittens aren’t born with lop-ears. When they are about 21 days old the ears will start to fold. With some cats this takes place suddenly; with other cats it gradually takes place. When they are about 4 weeks old you can see which kittens are Fold and which aren’t. There are two kinds of folds, namely the single and the double fold. Certain factors may influence the folding of the ears, which make the ears go up a bit, like warmth, stress, pregnancy and the heat.    

It is absolutely forbidden to cross two Scottish Folds; this causes a deviation called Osteodystrophy (Osteochondrodysplasia), which means a knitting of the cartilage. .

Character and nature:
The Scottish Fold is a very quiet and sweet cat. In general her mood is balanced. She loves to be around people and wants to make part of their life. She adapts herself well to any situation and can be raised easily. She is cosy, funny and happy and can get along with other pets. In principle, the Scottish Fold is peaceful; she rarely dominates and is never aggressive. People often fear that his folded ears might be interpreted by other cats as truculent, but this cannot be confirmed. Evidently the body language of cats is much more extended and various enough to avoid such misunderstandings.

A Scottish Fold almost never blows, and if she does she will put up such a funny face that it might make you smile. The Scottish Folds don’t seem to know that they can use their claws and teeth as weapons. If you hold the Scottish against her will, she will kick with her paws and will protest modestly – you only get scratched by accident. Of course this doesn’t mean that they don’t want or can’t defend themselves in a serious situation. The Scottish Fold is a sweet cat with relatively few demands. Her character doesn’t have eccentric features and she doesn’t want to receive a special treatment.

In order to be happy, she needs pure surroundings, decent food and of course enough time and affection of the owner. Based on her uncomplicated nature the Scottish Fold is a pleasant family cat. She adapts herself to the people in her day’s schedule. She prefers to sleep at night and in the bed if it is allowed. In the morning she gets up with “her” people and she follows them. Her biological clock tells her when the family will be present. If nobody is home, she will take a nap. Most Scottish Folds love television and especially films with animals (especially with birds) and soccer matches.
Oddities of the Scottish Fold


Typical for the Scottish lop-ear cat is her odd posture. Many inexperienced Scottish Fold owner have worried about it.      
 
For example, the Scottish Folds love to sit with a somewhat lifted forepaw. This doesn’t mean that the cat’s paw aches and it also doesn’t mean that he is about to attack. It only means that he is well-humored and friendly….Another typical posture which can often be seen, is sitting straight on the hind paws. Some cats look around while sitting like this, others blink their eyes and are daydreaming and others wash themselves in this position. It sometimes also happens that the Scottish cat will drop her “arms”, bends forward and places her head between the hind paws which have been stretched out forward and falls asleep. This sleeping position looks unusual but the Scottish loves it this way.

Sometimes the Scottish Fold sits in such a position that she looks like a small human being. She will sit on the end of her trunk, stretches her paws forward, like a human being, and places her forepaws on her stomach. She loves to lean against a chair back or, if she sits on the ground, against a wall or cupboard.

They can also sit like this in the middle of the room. This sight is extremely funny. Other cats are serious creatures which can get offended if you laugh at them. But the Scottish Fold doesn’t get offended. She has humor and is happy if people smile. Because of her appearance the good humor gets spread.   

Conclusion
The Scottish Fold is a natural cat. She enriches the cat’s world. This original cat with her exceptional ears is a cat for funny people, because she always causes cheerfulness in the house. But she is also a cat for sad people, because her compassionate, loving character and her loyal look will bring joy.

Pictures & breedinformation by: Tay's Cherry Moon Scottish Folds & British Shorthairs