This breed of cat was discovered in 1961 by Scottish shepherd William Ross. He found a kitten with folded ears on his neighbor’s farm and named it Susie. Susie’s mother had normal-shaped ears, but the father was unknown. Ross adopted a white kitten from Susie’s litter and began to breed her with local farm cats and British Shorthairs to establish this lop-eared feline breed. In 1977, British geneticist Oliphant Jackson reported that one-third of kittens from the breeding of folded-eared cats developed osteodystrophy, a skeletal lesion.
This cat really enjoys being around people. It has a sweet temperament and a quiet voice. It likes to sit up on its hind legs, or flopping on its back when it naps. This cat does not do well when left alone and would benefit from living with another cat or pet. This cat is relatively easy to adjust to new surroundings, such as hotel rooms and new people. This cat is somewhat playful and will enjoy playing fetch every now and then. Lastly, this cat welcomes the company of children and family dogs.
The shorthaired variety needs little grooming. Just run a steel comb through its coat once or twice a week. The longhaired variety needs grooming three to four times a week to remove dead hairs and prevent mats from forming.
Scottish Folds typically live for around 15 years. As with other breeds, they can be prone to some health problems. One such problem is degenerative joint disease, which can be an issue especially in the tail. If stiffness is noticed, it is important to handle the tail carefully.
