Scottish Folds The Cat with the Folded Ears

Scottish Folds are unique, not only because theyre a newer breed, but because they can all trace their family tree back to a single cat, a queen named Susie from Perthshire, Scotland. Susie had the folded ear deformity that is characteristic of the breed and that accounts for the somewhat owl-like appearance of this breed.

When Susie had kittens, two of them had the same folded ears. These kittens were acquired by a farmer named William Ross who, with the help of a geneticist, started a breeding program to create this new breed. The program produced 76 kittens in the first three years, 42 of whom had the desired folded ears. Ross and his partner concluded that the gene for folded ears was dominant, and continued in their efforts to bring this breed to prominence.

The kittens of this breed are born with straight ears, but at about three weeks of age, their ears develop their distinctive folded appearance. While Susie had a single fold of the ear, some of her descendants have as many as three folds in a single ear. These folds are delicate and should be handled with great care. However, the folded ears retain the same functions as their straighter counterparts. The ears move as other cats' ears do and arent stationary. Additionally, this trait doesnt seem to impact their cat's ability to hear only the cartilage of the ear is involved, not the internal structures.

However, this distinctive physical trait isnt the only reason for the Scottish Fold's popularity as a breed. These cats are also incredibly loving and companionable. The stereotypical distant, aloof quality associated with cats isnt found in this breed theyre often demonstrably affectionate.

Scottish Folds are medium sized cats that weigh about 10 pounds when fully mature. They have short, somewhat rounded bodies and rounded heads. Their eyes are round, wide set, and large, giving them a cute appearance. They can be described as somewhat squat, having medium-short legs. In terms of colors, theres no color uniformity among the breed and the breed displays the full range of colors and patterns found in most domestic cats.

In terms of temperament, these cats are good natured and calm. They arent exceptionally active, and like to laze about. They can be playful, but dont actively seek you out for playing like some cats will. They become quite attached to their families, but whether or not theyll be good with children depends largely on the personality of the individual cat and the age and personality of the child involved. Some of these cats take to children more readily than others.

The Scottish Fold can be intelligent and loyal, though this isnt a trait for which they are typically sought out. They are quiet cats, with soft voices, that like to sleep on their backs with their paws in the air. Theyre long-lived, with an average age of 15 years, so be sure youre ready for the long term commitment this breed requires.

Finally, these cats are susceptible to genetic conditions affecting the kidneys and bones, although they arent very common. If you do decide to adopt or buy a Scottish Fold, its important to establish a relationship with your vet early on to keep an eye out for some of these problems.