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Scottish Perk Ears
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generally sweet, bright and quiet with an easy-going nature. They require minimal care and are a real
treasure to have in your home.
Scottish Fold History
All pure-bred Scottish Folds can trace their lineage back to a white barn cat named Susie, the first
folded-ear cat discovered in the Tayside Region of Perthshire, Scotland, in 1961 by the breed founders,
William and Mary Ross.
After receiving one of Susie's folded-ear kittens and with the help of English genetists, the Rosses started
a breeding program using British Shorthairs and farm cats. These cats were first called "lops" after the
lop-eared rabbits, but in 1966 they were renamed "Scottish Folds" in honour of their origin. Brought over
to the U.S. in the early 70s and registered in the Cat Fanciers' Association, the shorthair Scottish Fold
was entitled to compete for championship status by the 1978-79 show season. The longhair Scottish
Fold was not accepted for competition in CFA until 1993.
The Scottish Fold Personality
The Scottish Fold is a blend of other breeds: the British and American shorthairs. Both of these breeds
are placid and calm, and usually agreeable to extended handling. Thus, the Fold has evolved as a
sweet-tempered cat; devoted but not demanding; bouncy on occasion, but never too boisterous, more
likely to charm than to challenge; displaying a British sense of decorum along with an American sense of
self-confidence.
Breed Characteristics
Breeding the Scottish Fold requires lots of patience and a special knowledge of proper breeding
practices. First established by breeding to British Shorthairs and domestic cats, the Scottish Fold is now
only allowed to be outcrossed with British and American Shorthairs and other Scottish Folds. This is
necessary to enlarge the gene pool to produce health, vigour and soundness for the continuation of the
breed.
The characteristic ear-folding of the breed is caused by a spontaneous mutation, a fusion of the middle
section of cartilage cells (mesodern) in the embryo. It is a incomplete dominant gene that must be present
in one parent to pass on to offspring.
Breeding a folded-ear cat to a straight-ear (SE) cat ONLY is recommended. Breeding folded-ear cats
together may cause complications such as cartilage mutation in the tail making it rigid and foreshortened,
and stiffness or deformities in the hind legs and feet.
Scottish Fold kittens are not born with folded ears. The ears of the kittens that carry the gene start folding
usually about the 21st day. The folding process begins by the crimping of the outer edge of the ear near
the base, which gradually tightens with the ears tipping downward onto the head, giving the appearance
that they are sliding off the top sides of the head. There are different types of ear folding: single fold;
loose-in-back, tight-in-front; and tight, double, capped-to-the-head fold, which is the most desirable.
The following are standards that judges look for in this breed:
* well-rounded head with a firm chin and jaw; prominent cheeks; muzzle to have well-rounded whisker
pads, head blending into short neck; nose to be short with a gentle curve; profile is moderate in
appearance.
* wide open eyes with a sweet expression, large, round and separated by a broad nose; eye colour
corresponding with coat colour.
* ears to fold forward and downward; set in a cap-like fashion, smaller, tighter folded ear preferred.
* well-padded, medium size body and boning, legs in proportion to body; toes neat, well-rounded; five in
front, four behind.
* tail medium to long in length, flexible, tapering, proportionate to the body
* coat should be short to medium-short in length for shorthairs, dense, plush, even and full of life;
medium-long to long in length for longhairs, britches, tail plume, toe tufts, and ear furnishings should be
clearly visible with a ruff being desirable.
* Colours allowable: white, black, blue, red, cream, shaded silver, shaded cameo, chinchilla, shell cameo;
black, blue or cameo smoke; tortoiseshell, blue-cream; bicolours of black, blue, red, cream, calico, dilute
calico, tortoiseshell & white, blue-cream & white; all four tabby patterns of classic, mackerel, spotted or
ticked in silver, blue, brown, red or cream; tabby & white, silver and brown patched tabby & white.
Choosing the right Scottish Fold for you:
All Scottish Folds, whether folded ear or straight ear, make wonderful companions. If you decide that this
breed is for you, be patient for it may take a while to find that right one due to the limited number of
folded ear kittens in each litter.
Care and grooming will require weekly brushing; cleaning of ears, eyes and teeth; clipping of claws; an
occasional bath with a good shampoo when needed; a well-balanced diet high in vitamins, minerals and
protein; fresh water daily; adequate space for exercise in a clean, indoor environment; and most
important, lots of love.
Producing sound, healthy kittens is the breeder's responsibility. But as the cat is a being of nature, certain
factors may arise that are out of the breeder's control such as ears lifting or unfolding in warmer
temperatures, during pregnancy or a heat cycle, or stiffness in the tail developing later on.
There is still a lot to learn about this breed, and to assure a future for the Scottish Fold, it is important that
the breeder keep informed of any problems arising from kittens sold, eliminate problem cats from the
breeding program, maintain sound breeding/cattery standards, and breed only straight to fold ear cats.
Before purchasing a Scottish Fold, contact several breeders to obtain as much information as possible.
Ask for references and if they provide a sales agreement that includes genetic health and other
guarantees. If possible, visit the breeder to view their cats, conditions and to discuss options; if not, find
out if shipping is available to your local area. Know what and whom you are dealing with before signing
any agreements, giving a deposit or full payment.
Once you have finally chosen and received that "right" Scottish Fold, properly introduce it gently into its
new surroundings. Arrange for an immediate veterinarian's examination for your satisfaction. Never let
your cat roam unattended outdoors and make sure it is altered at the appropriate age if not used in a
responsible registered breeding program.
How Scottish Folds Communicate
The Scottish Fold is, for the most part, not a talkative cat. Except when the females are in heat, Folds
save their voices for certain occasions; like when they have been locked in a closet by accident, if you
pull their fur too hard while grooming, or letting you know it's time to eat. Folds are known, for no other
reason than the sheer joy of life, to jump into your lap with a cheerful greeting. Folds seldom talk just to
admire the sound of their own voices; they usually have a definite reason for saying something, and it is up
to the discerning owner to decipher each individual cat's message. There are books on the market on
how cats communicate, and what the different sounds might mean. However, you know your cat, and
probably know exactly what they are saying, and thinking too. The most strange, yet endearing, verbal
communication is the silent meow, not exclusive to the Fold, but still very common among them. They will
open their mouth and mime the word meow, yet no sound emerges. Usually these "sounds" are a message
of greeting, endearment, perhaps a complaint, or even simply "baying at the moon."
