Scottish Fold

In 1961 a shepherd named William Ross spotted the first Fold, a copper-eyed white female called Susie, on a farm in Tayside, Scotland ^[1]. Susie had only one litter, so her daughter Snooks became the foundation queen. Snooks was bred first to a domestic male and then to a British Shorthair, and produced fold-eared kittens with both ^[1]. The folded ears come from a dominant gene considered a spontaneous mutation ^[1]. CFA granted championship status to shorthaired Folds in 1978 and longhairs in 1992. Straight-eared cats were accepted in 2022, giving the breed four divisions ^[1].

• Overall: "round" is the word. Medium-sized, with a well-padded body and strong legs ^[1].
• Head and ears: a strikingly round head thanks to the cap-like folded ears, which have rounded tips and don't affect hearing ^[1].
• Eyes: very round and bright ^[1].
• Tail: medium to long and in proportion. CFA advises gently checking its flexibility often ^[1].
• Coat: shorthair or longhair ^[1].

Folds are charming homebodies who enjoy human company without craving it ^[1]. They're quiet but not placid, and happy to play fetch ^[1]. They can be reserved with strangers and unfamiliar cats ^[1]. With their own people they're affectionate and even-tempered, usually patient with children, and will follow you around without getting in the way ^[1]. They don't do well left alone for long periods ^[1].

• Comb shorthairs weekly; longhairs need more frequent attention to prevent tangles. Folds shed year-round, more heavily in spring and autumn ^[1].
• Monitor joints: keep an eye on gait, jumping and tail flexibility ^[1][2].
• A joint-friendly home: low beds or beds with steps, raised food and water bowls, low-sided litter trays, ramps and rugs on slippery floors ^[2].

• Osteochondrodysplasia: the fold mutation, a dominant variant in the TRPV4 gene ^[3], also disrupts cartilage and bone development, leading to arthritis that can be severe and painful ^[2].
• Variable severity: some cats show no pain, others have mild signs that worsen. The disease can fuse the tail, ankles and knees ^[2].
• Diagnosis and treatment: vets use examination and X-rays. There's no cure for the underlying condition, but pain can be managed with medication ^[2].
• Lifespan: we found no reliable breed-specific longevity study.

If your cat walks stiffly, limps, avoids jumping, hides or grooms less, talk to your vet.

Don't confuse with…

• Scottish Straight: the same breed with straight ears; accepted by CFA in 2022 ^[1] and listed separately by TICA ^[7].
• British Shorthair: also round-faced and round-eyed, with upright ears ^[8].
• American Curl: ears curl backwards, the opposite direction to a Fold's ^[9].

• Every pedigreed Scottish Fold traces back to Susie, found in 1961 ^[1].
• The folded ears don't affect hearing ^[1].
• Folds may sit up like prairie dogs when something catches their eye ^[1].