This breed of cat was first discovered in 1961 by Scottish shepherd William Ross. He found a kitten with folded-ears and named it Susie. Susie’s mother had normal-shaped ears, but the father was unknown. Ross later adopted a white kitten from Susie’s litter and began to breed her with local farm cats and British Shorthairs in order 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 people’s laps or next to them. It has a sweet temperament and a quiet, soft voice. This cat also enjoys flopping on its back when it naps. This cat does not enjoy being home alone and benefits from being paired with another cat or other pet. This cat adjusts to new environments relatively easily and is somewhat playful, enjoying an occasional game of fetch. Lastly, this cat welcomes the company of children and family dogs.
The shorthaired variety of this breed doesn’t require a lot of grooming. Just run a steel comb through its coat once or twice a week. The longhaired variety, on the other hand, needs to be groomed three to four times a week to remove dead hair and prevent mats from forming.
The typical lifespan of a Scottish Fold is about 15 years. Like many breeds, the Scottish Fold can be predisposed to some health problems. Degenerative joint disease can be an issue, especially in the tail which should be handled carefully if stiffness is noticed.
