This breed of cat was discovered in 1961 by Scottish shepherd William Ross in Scotland. Ross found a kitten with folded ears and named her Susie. Susie’s mother had regular 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 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 by being paired with another cat or other pet. This cat is relatively easy to adjust to new surroundings like hotel rooms and new people. 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 of this breed doesn’t need much grooming. Just run a steel comb through its coat once or twice a week. The longhaired variety needs more grooming, about three to four times per week. This is done to remove dead hair and prevent mats from forming.
The typical lifespan of a Scottish Fold is about 15 years. These cats can have some health problems, like other breeds of cats. One problem is degenerative joint disease, which can occur in the tail. If stiffness is noticed, be careful when handling the cat.
