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There’s no cat quite like a Scottish Fold; you can spot their owlish features and big, round, earnest eyes from a mile away. If you’re a fan of this breed, you may be curious about their origins, where those famous folded ears came from, and other quirky facts, so read on to sharpen your knowledge about these endearing cats and their history.
Breed Overview
Height:
8–10 inches
Weight:
6–13 pounds
Lifespan:
14–16 years
Colors:
Pretty much any possible color, including white, blue, black, cream, red, lilac, chocolate, cinnamon, and fawn
Suitable for:
Any loving family that will handle the Scottish Fold gently and respectfully
Temperament:
Docile, quiet, sweet-natured, very people-oriented
Scottish Folds are incredibly versatile in terms of appearance because they can come in a wide variety of colors, color combinations, and patterns. In addition to white and black, the Scottish Fold can be chinchilla, shaded, tabby, tortoiseshell, smoke, calico, and pointed combinations. They can also be either shorthaired or longhaired.
Other distinguishing features of the breed include folded ears (though not every Scottish Fold has this trait), big eyes, a rounded head and body, and a short nose.
White Scottish Fold Characteristics
The Earliest Records of White Scottish Folds in History
As the name suggests, Scottish Folds hail from the land of lochs and towering peaks. In 1961, in Perthshire, Scotland, a British Shorthair breeder named William Ross noticed a unique-looking feline on a neighbor’s farm. The cat, Susie, had a white coat and folded ears, though her mother didn’t share this trait, and the owners never found out which cat fathered her.
Susie had recently given birth to a litter of kittens, and with permission, Mr. Ross took one of the kittens (Snooks, also white) home and, thereafter, began to develop the Scottish Fold. The types of cats used in Ross’s breeding program were British Shorthairs and regular domestic cats from nearby farms. A geneticist, Pat Turner, aided Ross in his efforts.
How White Scottish Folds Gained Popularity
In the 1970s, Scottish Folds stopped being bred and registered in the U.K. due to various health concerns, including ear conditions like mites and deafness, along with bone deformities.
However, the breed soon headed over to the U.S., where American breeders endeavored to improve breeding quality by bringing the American and British Shorthair into the mix. However, osteochondrodysplasia, which causes Scottish Folds to have folded ears, is still a welfare concern for this breed.
In the United States, the Scottish Fold quickly became popular with show judges and cat fanciers, who were endeared to these felines’ unique owl-like features, plush coats, and gentle dispositions. In recent years, the Scottish Fold has been brought even more into the spotlight by celebrity owners like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.
Formal Recognition of the White Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold was originally allowed to be registered with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) in the U.K. in 1971, but this recognition was quickly revoked when health and welfare concerns came to light. In the notes section of the GCCF’s list of non-recognized breeds, there is a comment that reads, “Ineligible. Known serious health problems (osteochondrodysplasia).”
However, other associations do recognize the Scottish Fold. The Cat Fanciers’ Association awarded Scottish Folds championship status in 1978, and the breed is also recognized by the American Cat Fancier’s Association and The International Cat Association. Various colors are accepted, including, of course, white.
Top 3 Unique Facts About White Scottish Folds
1. Not All Scottish Folds Have Folded Ears
When kittens are born, it’s not certain whether their ears will fold until week 3 or 4, as the ears remain straight like those of any other kitten until that time. Some kittens’ ears never fold.
2. Scottish Folds Have Unique Sitting Positions
One of the funniest and cutest Scottish Fold quirks is that many like to perch on their back legs to survey their environment, similar to how a prairie dog or otter would.
Some like to slump in a more relaxed fashion, with their hind legs spread far apart and their forepaws resting on their bellies, giving the impression that they’ve just eaten their body weight in food or are simply so over everything.
3. The Ear Folds Are Caused by a Genetic Mutation
A genetic mutation is what causes the ears to fold, and it’s spontaneous. Sadly, this gene is also responsible for the bone and cartilage abnormalities that Scottish Folds often suffer from, which has caused a lot of controversy in the cat breeding world. Some think that Scottish Folds shouldn’t be bred at all.
Does a White Scottish Fold Make a Good Pet?
No matter the coat color, Scottish Folds are lovely companions thanks to their sweet, devoted, and sociable natures. However, it’s important to be aware of health conditions that affect this breed, like osteochondrodysplasia, which may cause discomfort and in the worst case, a great deal of pain. Some cats with this condition even end up unable to walk.
This disease affects homozygous cats (those with two of the same genetic alleles) and heterozygous cats (those with two different genetic alleles) but especially the former. For this reason, reputable breeders would never breed two Scottish Folds.
In terms of general care, the Scottish Fold is low-maintenance. They need to be brushed once or twice weekly or more often if they’re longhaired. Check their nails regularly too, and trim them if they’re looking too long. Frequent ear checks are also a good idea.
Scottish Folds are adaptable cats that get along well with everyone in the family as long as they’re treated with kindness. They’re also happy in any clean home environment, big or small, as long as they’re sufficiently exercised, and all their needs are catered for.
Conclusion
The Scottish Fold is a relatively modern breed that has quickly burrowed into the hearts of professional cat fanciers and cat lovers everywhere, in spite of the controversy that has surrounded them since their early years. It’s true that those cute ears do come at a cost, since bone and cartilage problems are among the main concerns surrounding the health and welfare of these cats.
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