Scottish Fold Cats

During the past century, cats with ears folded forwards have only been rarely recorded. In 1961 a Scottish shepherd named William Ross was watching a white cat with folded ears playing in his neighbor's garden on a farm near Coupar Angus. He was quite enchanted with her unusual appearance and when she had kittens, he asked for one, calling it “Snooks”.

Snooks of Tayside, Scotland, became the founding queen of the Scottish Fold cat breed.

Scottish fold cats have distinctive ears that fold over, close to the head.

The breed was found in Scotland, yet the breed is not recognised in the UK. The folded cats aroused interest in USA, and there are now Scottish fold cat breeders in USA who have drawn up breed standards.

To get folds you should breed a British Blue male to a Scottish Fold female. If folded eared cats are bred to folded ear cats, a degenerative joint disease often occurs after a few months.

Round-headed, short necked, short-legged, round-eyed describes the Scottish Fold breed.

Little button ears fold forwards over a wide, round, quizzical face. Large yellow eyes gaze out over a small button nose.

Long or short-haired, these cats have a wide variety of coat colors and patterns. In the longhaired variety, the male cats sport a ruff at the neck and chest as well as fluffy breeches and a well-plumed tail.

Scottish Fold kittens are born with straight ears and develop a fold with time. The fold in the ears is caused by a crimping effect in the ear cartilage. Folds may be single or double, tucking the ear close to the head, giving it a wise 'owl' look, or a tight triple fold.

Concerns over the fold causing deafness are unfounded. In over forty years of breeding, no evidence of any damage being caused to the inner ear by the fold has been recorded, nor is there any increased risk of ear infections. However, the visible part of the ears needs routine cleaning with cotton wool swabs (not ear buds) and a suitable cleansing lotion recommended by your local veterinarian.

The coat needs regular brushing to keep it in good condition to prevent excessive knotting, particularly in the case of the long-haired variety. Regular combing will alert the owner to any matted fur, which can be gently teased apart with the fingers before combing.

Scottish Folds have excellent temperaments and are gentle, friendly and affectionate. They are active, curious, inquisitive and confident. Adaptable and amiable, these cute creatures make an ideal family pet.

Weight: male 9 - 13 lbs, female 6 - 9 lbs

Lifespan: 15 yrs approx

These Scottish fold cats belong to Bob & Marie of Rotorua, New Zealand.
	A well-known Scottish fold position - a Buddha sit. They sometimes sleep flat on their backs.
	Scottish fold kittens from same litter. Only a couple in a litter will fold.
	Dumb and Dumber
	A blue cream Scottish fold cat.
	Lexi, a NZ Cat Fancy title holder. Gold Double Grand Champion. Registered name, Marazion "Looking for Mischief", Gen 2

Don't we sometimes wish we could fold our ears over like the Scottish fold cat? Especially when we don't want to hear something - like preaching for example! Even in Bible times, when preachers said, "God says..." the people folded their ears over so they did not hear! The preacher Zechariah tried! "God says execute TRUE judgment: be compassionate to the fatherless. Don't think evil thoughts..." but they refused to hear and stopped their ears against what God was saying to them by His spirit, through preachers. It made God angry!

Zechariah chapter 7 verses 9 - 12

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