This charming, sociable cat, with a delightful “owl-faced” appearance, thrives on attention.
The tightly folded-down ears of this rare breed and its shorthaired relative are due to a genetic mutation seen in no other cat. Descended from a folded-ear Scottish farm cat, the Fold is not recognized as a breed by the leading cat registry in the UK because of concerns about genetically linked health problems, although it has been more successful in the US.
The diverse coat colors of the Scottish Fold come from the many different outcrosses, including domestic non-pedigree cats that were selected to develop the breed. The dense coat is of variable length and is enhanced by a thick ruff and a huge, plumed tail.
Origin: UK/US, 1960s
Breed registries: CFA, TICA
Weight range: 6–13lb (2.5–6kg)
Grooming: 2–3 times a week
Colors and patterns: Most solid colors and shades; most tabby, tortie, and colorpoint patterns.