This breed of cat was created in Scotland in 1961 when a shepherd named William Ross found a kitten with folded ears. The mother had regular-shaped ears, but the father was unknown. Ross adopted one white kitten from Susie’s litter and started to breed her with local farm cats and British Shorthairs to create this new breed of cat. In 1977, British geneticist Oliphant Jackson found that one-third of kittens from folded-eared cats developed a skeletal lesion called osteodystrophy.
This cat loves to sit on laps or next to their favorite people. They have a sweet temperament and a quiet, soft voice. This cat enjoys sitting up on its hind legs in a look that resembles an otter or flopping on its back when napping. However, this cat does not enjoy being home alone and benefits from being paired with another cat or other pet. This cat adjusts to new surroundings like hotel rooms and new people relatively easily. They are somewhat playful and will enjoy an occasional game of fetch. 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 more grooming, three to four times a week, to remove dead hairs and prevent mats from forming.
A Scottish Fold typically lives for around 15 years. This breed can have some health problems, such as degenerative joint disease. If stiffness is noticed in the tail, be careful when handling it.
