The White Scottish Fold is a unique breed that is popular for its distinctive and charming physical traits. Most have folded ears, rounded faces, big eyes, and thick tails, making them irresistibly cute. These huggable characteristics, along with their sweet and loving personalities, make them sought-after pets.
The history of this breed is fascinating, as every Scottish Fold bred today can be traced back to just one cat. Read on to learn more about this striking and remarkable feline.
The Earliest Records of White Scottish Folds in History
The original Scottish Fold was born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1961. She was a white barn cat named Susie and was born with unique ears that folded over due to a natural mutation. She was then bred with domestic cats and British Shorthair cats. The Scottish Fold was then registered with the Governing Council of Cat Fancy (GCCF), and more of the unique cats were bred with the help of a geneticist Rob Turner.
Out of 76 kittens, 42 had folded ears, and it was concluded that Scottish Folds would result if one parent provided the gene for straight ears and the other provided the gene for folded ears. Every Scottish Fold can trace its ancestry back to Susie.
How the White Scottish Fold Gained Popularity
Concerns about possible deafness, ear infections, and ear mites kept the breed from gaining acceptance in the United Kingdom, but by the 1970s, Scottish Folds were being successfully bred in the United States and have since become a popular breed around the world.
While the Scottish Fold was established as a breed by the British, it has never been as popular in the UK as in the US. Americans fell in love with this breed and developed it into the beautiful cat it is today. Well-known celebrities are also fans of Scottish Folds; Taylor Swift owns a white Scottish fold named Meredith.
Formal Recognition of White Scottish Folds
Susie’s owners moved to North America after the governing council barred the Scottish Fold as a registered breed due to genetic concerns. There, they were welcomed by all North American cat associations, and Scottish Folds were recognized by the end of the 1970s.
The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) only took 10 years to accept the registration of the new Scottish Fold. They were a champion breed in America by 1978.
Top 4 Unique Facts About the White Scottish Fold
1. Scottish Folds Are Not Born With Folded Ears
These adorable cats are known for their folded ears, but they are not born that way. White Scottish Fold kittens are born with straight ears that gradually droop at 3-4 weeks of age. Some Scottish Folds’ ears will not fold but will be straight and pointed. This depends on whether the cat was born with the dominant gene.
2. Scottish Folds Sit Like Humans
These quirky cats have some cute and charming traits; sitting like a human is one of them. Scottish Fold owners affectionately refer to this as “The Buddha Sit,” and when they hear a noise, they will frequently sit up prairie-dog style to improve their viewpoint.
3. Scottish Folds Have 3 Types of Folds in Their Ears
A Scottish Fold can have three types of ear folds: single, double, and triple. A single fold is a small fold that involves only the tips of the ears. A double-fold bends more notably, with approximately half of the ear bending downward. A triple-fold ear lies flat against the head, giving the head a rounder appearance.
4. Scottish Folds Are Never Bred Together
Due to ethical concerns, Scottish Fold cats are never bred together because the kittens may be born with degenerative issues. They are most commonly bred with either American or British Shorthairs.
Does the White Scottish Fold Make a Good Pet?
Scottish Folds are typically peaceful and charming and will get along well with other pets in the family, and they won’t be alarmed by noisy and affectionate children. They are naturally loving and develop strong attachments to their owners but don’t demand attention. Because of their small size, they are well-suited pets for apartment living.
While they are also playful, their tails will need to be handled with care as some of them are known to develop a stiffness that can cause pain if not handled gently. Grooming most Scottish Folds is as simple as brushing and combing the fur once a week to remove loose hair and dead skin cells. Their ear folds do not make them more susceptible to mites or ear infections.
White Scottish Folds are highly sought-after pets due to their distinct physical characteristics and lovable nature, and kittens typically cost significantly more than those of more common breeds.
Conclusion
The Scottish Fold is a popular companion due to its sweet looks and personality. A lot goes into breeding these felines, and their road to recognition took heaps of effort and dedication from committed breeders. What is truly fascinating is that every Scottish Fold can be traced back to a white barn cat named Susie. The unique felines live long, healthy lives and are loved by many.
Featured Image Credit: Hetman Bohdan, Shutterstock
