Page 108 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

106 C A T AL OG OF BREED S

Unique ears
fold downward Large, round
and forward golden eyes
Short,
broad, slightly
curved nose
Short, dense blue
coat stands away Short
from body neck

Round, well-
padded body

Neat, round paws Fairly long tail tapers
to rounded tip
SCOTTISH FOLD

A QUIET AND COMPANIONABLE CAT WITH UNIQUE FOLDED EARS

Place of origin UK/USA Due to a rare genetic mutation, the ears of to flatten forward within about three weeks.
Date of origin 1960s this breed fold forward to fit like a cap over Cats that remain straight-eared are known
Breed registries CFA, TICA the skull, producing a unique round-headed as Scottish Straights (see box). The Scottish
Weight range 6–13lb (2.5–6kg) look. The first Fold cat to be discovered was Fold is still something of a rarity, more likely
Grooming an all-white, long-haired female, known as to be seen at shows than as a house cat.
Susie, that was born on a Scottish farm in However, the breed is known for its loyal
Colors and patterns the 1960s. At first, this cat and the folded- nature, and Scottish Folds that do become
Most colors, shades, and ear kittens she produced attracted only local pets adjust easily to any type of family,
patterns, including pointed,
tabby, and tortoiseshell. interest, but then geneticists began taking making quiet and affectionate companions.
notice, and some of Susie’s descendants
were sent to the US. Here, the breed was SCOTTISH STRAIGHT
established, using crosses between Folds
Apart from having upright
and British (pp.68–77) and American
ears, the Scottish Straight
Shorthairs (p.61). During the development looks the same as the Fold.
of the Scottish Fold, a long-coated version Straights are barred from
shows, but it is hoped
(p.183) also emerged.
that they will soon
These cats need careful breeding to avoid be recognized
certain skeletal problems linked with the as a separate
gene responsible for ear folding, and due to breed.
this risk, they do not meet with the approval
of all breed authorities. Scottish Folds are
always born with straight ears that, in
kittens carrying the folded-ear gene, begin