This breed of cat was discovered in 1961 by Scottish shepherd William Ross. He found a folded-eared kitten on his neighbor’s farm. The 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 enjoys sitting on laps or next to people it likes. It has a sweet temperament and a quiet, soft voice. This cat also enjoys flopping on its back when taking a nap. This cat does not enjoy being home alone and does better if paired with another pet or another cat. 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 once in a while. This cat welcomes the company of children and family dogs.
The shorthaired variety doesn’t need much 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.
The typical lifespan of a Scottish Fold is about 15 years. Some health problems are common in this breed, including degenerative joint disease which can occur in the tail. If stiffness is noticed, it is important to handle the tail carefully.
