This breed of cat was first discovered in Scotland in 1961. A Scottish shepherd named William Ross found a kitten with folded-over ears and named it Susie. Susie’s mom had regular-shaped ears, but the dad was unknown. Ross then adopted a white kitten from Susie’s litter and began to breed her with local cats. In 1977, British geneticist Oliphant Jackson reported that one-third of kittens from the breeding of folded-eared cats developed a skeletal lesion called osteodystrophy.
This cat is very loving and likes to sit on people’s laps or next to them. It has a sweet temperament and speaks softly. This cat also enjoys sitting up on its hind legs, looking like an otter, or flopping on its back when it takes a nap. However, this cat does not enjoy being home alone and would benefit from living with another cat or pet. This cat is also somewhat playful and will enjoy playing fetch every once in a while. Lastly, this cat welcomes the company of children and family dogs.
The shorthaired variety only needs to be groomed once or twice a week with a steel comb. The longhaired variety needs to be groomed three to four times a week with a comb to remove dead hairs and prevent mats from forming.
The typical lifespan of a Scottish Fold is about 15 years. Scottish Folds can have some health problems, like other breeds. One problem is degenerative joint disease, which can be an issue especially in the tail. If stiffness is noticed, be careful with the tail.
