Scottish Fold

Scottish Fold - breed profile:

Origin: Scotland

Colours: Any colour except colourpoint
Size: Medium to large
Coat Type(s): Shorthair and longhair
Grooming: Weekly
Talkativeness: Quiet
Activity Level: Low
Attention Requirement: Low
Overall: Easy to handle

Breed Video: Scottish Fold

A cat with "floppy" ears. This is the first definition that occurs when you see the Scottish Fold cat. They had actually been known as "Flops" until 1966, when the official breed name was finally registered. In Canada, these "owl-like" cats are also known as Coupari.

Physical Characteristics

The most recognizable aspect of these cats is the special form of their ears that occurred as a natural mutation. Generally, as well as it goes for the British Shorthair, the appearance of Scottish Folds and their whole body structure are related with roundness. Their head looks most round because of forward-folding ears rounded at tips gently. These medium-size cats have a chubby body, strong medium-to-short legs, rounded paws, very short neck, a short nose, and large round eyes set widely. The latter gives the cat the "sweet expression". The body has the same width from shoulders to hips. Adult males weigh 9 to 13 lbs, and adult females 6 to 9 lbs.

Temperament

Scottish Folds are basically affectionate and playful. Just give them enough attention and love - and they will thrive. You will never see these cats standoffish or haughty. They are intelligent, loyal, and very adaptable. Having rather a placid nature, they get on well with family members and other pets in the house.

Coat and grooming

Scottish Folds can be both longhaired and shorthaired, and the longhair variety will require more grooming. Their coat colours and patterns can be really various, except the colourpoint pattern. For example, Folds can be found solid black, white, red, blue, cream, blue-silver, or blue-cream. The tabby pattern Folds are classic, mackerel, spotted, ticked, or patched. The cats can also be tortoiseshell, calico, dilute calico, or bi-color.

Scottish Fold kitten by Sergey Scherbatyuk

Health

Folds are prone to osteochondritis (the tale, ankles, and knees are most vulnerable), polycystic kidney disease (PKD), and cardiomyopathy. It is recommended to clean their ears once in a while. The typical lifespan is 15 years.

Other interesting facts

Not all kittens grow up with folded ears; there can be some straight-eared ones. However, all Scottish Folds are born with straight ears. Basically, those with the Fold gene begin to develop the fold within around 21 days.