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 Cat Breeds - There are a variety of different cat breeds. Read about the many domestic cat breeds, including the Maine Coon and Siamese cats. And view the many cat breeds pictures to see how each breed differs dramatically in coat length and overall look.
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Scottish Fold. Scottish Fold cat breed information including breed profile and Scotish Fold history, pictures of Scottish Folds and more...
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SCOTTISH FOLD
In its early years, this unique breed of folded eared cats was met
with scorn at its native British Islands but has since rapidly
progressed to become one of the top ten most popular breeds in the
world.
Today, the distinctly round face with forward folded ears
charms cat lovers everywhere.
History
The Scottish Fold breed originated from Susie, a cat
that lived on a farm in Perthsire, Scotland during the early 1960s.
Susie was a white mixed breed cat with one exceptional feature - her
ears were folded.
William Ross, a local shepherd with an interest in purebred cats,
noticed Susie and obtained one of her kittens, another ear folded
cat. Shortly after that Susie died, leaving behind only one more
folded kitten - a neutered male.
Ross contacted Pat Turner, a London
breeder with an interest in feline genetics, and so a breeding
program for folded eared cats was established.
At first, British cat fancy associations rejected the breed on the
grounds that the folded ears gene was compromising the health of
these cats. In the early 1970s a breeding program was established in
the United States and by the end of that decade, the Scottish Fold
gained championship status at the cat shows.
These cats are considered to be sweet tempered and intelligent. These
docile cats are not very vocal and form deep attachments with their
loved humans.
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Description
The most prominent feature of any Scottish Fold cat
is of course the ears, which must fold forward and downward. The
ears are usually small and tightly folded, giving the cat's head a
unique round silhouette.
The head shape itself is also round, with
prominent cheeks, a short nose and well rounded large eyes.
Scottish Folds are medium sized cats and can be either shorthaired or
longhaired. All colors and patterns are acceptable except for
pointed patterns that suggest hybridization with Siamese or
Himalayan cats.
Special Requirements
The gene responsible for the folded ear mutation is a
dominant gene. This means that if the gene is passed from one of the
parents, it is enough to produce a folded kitten.
If both parents
contribute the folded gene, the kitten is likely to suffer from
a genetic condition that causes
deformities of the bones (especially fused tail vertebrae and
thickened legs).
That is why responsible breeders never breed one
Scottish Fold to another - all Scottish Folds must be constantly
outbred to prevent the birth of sick kittens.
Healthy Scottish Folds appear not to have any special health or
grooming problems. These cats are not particularly prone to ear
infections or ear mites, as was suspected some years ago.
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Site written by Gemma Littlemore