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by K Bert

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The Scottish Fold is an example of people manipulating breed and creating new look from a defect. I personally find this whole breed as an example of people messing with unhealthy genes just to keep alive a look they desire.

This whole so called breed started from one unusual looking barn cat in Scotland. This cat was named Suzie and she had ears that were folded forward and downward on her head. According to the history Susie had a litter in 1962 or 1963 and one of the kitten which also had folded ears was given into William Ross, a well known cat enthusiast.

This kitten which Ross named Snooks had male kitten called "Snowball" who produced five folded ear kittens with British Shorthair called "Lady May". This is considered to be a start of the Scottish Folds.

1966 this new breed which was originally just called "lops" became known as Scottish Folds and was accepted for showing the same year in England. Soon many genetic difficulties with the breed emerged and GCCF (Governing Council of the Cat Fancy) discontinued registering Scottish Folds as a breed in 1971.

First Scottish Folds did not come to US as pets, they came to research purposes when Dr. Neil Todd brought three cats to the Carnivore Genetics Research Center in Newtonwille MA in 1970. Those cats were all Snooks's daughters.

After the study was discontinued Salle Wolf Peters, who was famous of her Manx cats, got one of those cats and breeding for show purposes started in United States. Problem with the breed is degenerative joint disease which is closely linked with folded ears. Outcrossing with other breeds has helped but still today you are not advised to breed two of the floppy eared Scottish Folds together because of high risk of this painful condition.

I myself find it quite disturbing that the breeding goes on with such horrible disease, in worst cases the affected cat's tail, ankles and knees will totally fuse and stiffen. Still breeding goes on with outcrosses and about 50% of the kittens will finally have those so desired floppy ears.

Most of these floppy ears will live healthy long lives today and breeders have paid close attention trying to keep the genetic disorder at bay. Still, the Scottish Folds are not allowed to be registered in their foundation land England and one can ponder about the right of human to breed these cats with a history of such painful genetic disorder. I personally find it unethical, sorry!

As a breed there is both long haired and short haired versions today and they should have round eyes and round head and look well rounded all around. Scottish Folds are medium size cats, from smaller females starting at 6 lb to males up to 13 lb. All colors are allowed except pointed colors. Those pointed colors are coloring of Siamese or Himalayan cats.

The Scottish Folds are usually sweet natured and very adaptable. They are excellent companion cats and they are fairly active felines.

These owl lookalikes are very popular and if you are interested in getting one in United States you will most likely have to be on the waiting list for the floppy eared one.

You can find breeders list in US and more info about these cats at
http://www.breedlist.com/sco ttish-fold-breeders.html

Facts of some my writing are from www.cfainc.org website.

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