This breed of cat was first discovered in Scotland in 1961 by a shepherd named William Ross. He found a kitten with folded ears and named her Susie. Susie’s mother had regular-shaped ears, but the father was unknown. Ross then adopted a white kitten from Susie’s litter and started to breed her with local farm cats and British Shorthairs in order to create this lop-eared feline breed. However, in 1977, British geneticist Oliphant Jackson reported that one-third of kittens from the breeding of folded-eared cats developed osteodystrophy, which is a skeletal lesion.
This cat loves to be around people. It has a sweet temperament and a quiet voice. This cat also enjoys sitting up on its hind legs or flopping on its back when taking a nap. However, this kitty does not like being home alone and would benefit from living with another cat or pet. This feline is also relatively easygoing and will adjust to new surroundings quickly, whether that’s in a hotel room or among new people. While this kitty may not be as playful as some others, it will still enjoy an occasional game of fetch – and it’s always happy to have the company of children and family dogs.
The shorthaired variety of this breed needs little grooming. You can just run a steel comb through its coat once or twice a week. The longhaired variety needs more grooming, about three to four times a week. This will help remove dead hairs and prevent mats from forming.
The typical lifespan of a Scottish Fold is around 15 years. They are like other breeds and can have some health problems. One problem is degenerative joint disease, which can be an issue, especially in the tail. If stiffness is noticed, the tail should be handled carefully.
