This breed of cat was discovered in Scotland in 1961 by Scottish shepherd William Ross. He found a kitten with folded ears and named her Susie. Susie’s 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 cats 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 a skeletal lesion called osteodystrophy.
This cat likes to sit on laps or next to its favorite people. It has 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. This cat does not enjoy being home alone and benefits by being paired with another cat or other pet. This cat adjusts to new surroundings like hotel rooms and new people relatively easily. This cat is somewhat playful and will enjoy an occasional game of fetch. This cat welcomes the company of children and family dogs.
The shorthaired variety of this breed requires little grooming. Just run a steel comb through its coat once or twice a week. The longhaired variety, on the other hand, requires grooming three to four times a week in order to remove dead hair and prevent mats from forming.
The typical lifespan of a Scottish Fold is about 15 years. The breed can be predisposed to some health problems. One common problem is degenerative joint disease, which can be especially an issue in the tail. If stiffness is noticed, it’s important to handle the tail carefully.
