Cats Scottish Fold (Scottish Fold cat): character, colors, features of the breed

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

For some breeds of dogs (Rottweiler, Labrador, collie, pug and others), various forms of lop-earedness are not a curiosity, which cannot be said about cats. Therefore, these animals, thanks to their original appearance, have gained great popularity among lovers of purring beauties.

One of the brightest representatives of this species are Scottish fold cats, which are often called Scottish fold. These animals have such a bright and memorable appearance that they cannot be confused with representatives of other breeds.

When this cat hides in the grass, it is very reminiscent of an owl cub: a neat rounded head, on which ears are almost invisible, and huge eyes. So what is this mysterious animal - Scottish fold lop-eared, where did it appear, what is remarkable about it, what is its character and habits? We will talk about this in this article.

Scottish fold cats: from the history of the breed

According to the results of some studies, the Scottish fold appeared in 1796 in China. From where it was transported to Europe by an English sailor. This version is aboutabout when and how the lop-eared cat first appeared in Europe, but this is not the cat that we will talk about today.

If you want to know where the Scottish Fold cats came from, then we offer you another version of the origin of the modern "earless" cat. The breed originated in Scotland. Its founder was William Ross, who in 1961 noticed a cat with an unusual appearance on the market and bought only one kitten from the owner - Susie the cat. She became the ancestor of the breed, which, in the course of numerous crossings, acquired many interesting colors and features.

After some time, this breed was no longer practiced in Scotland, as numerous mutations were identified. And only in 1978, specialists from the USA took up it.

External Features

At a young age, Scottish Fold cats differ from their parents in that it is almost impossible to understand from them how the baby will grow up: with erect ears or hanging. This is due to the fact that there is a prerequisite for breeding cats of this breed - crossing a fold with a straight (an animal with ordinary ears). At birth, all kittens have straight ears. Even the breeder does not know what the kitten will become in a month. It only becomes apparent after at least four weeks, and sometimes later.

Head

The Scottish Fold breed has amazing shapes. They seem to be drawn with a compass - a round head, round eyes, round cheeks, a rounded chin. The nose is quite wide. calling cardthese animals are ears. Therefore, in the breed standard, special attention is paid to them.

The auricle has one or two folds and should be pressed tightly against the head. The ears seem to continue the circumference of the head, while not violating the proportions and the impression of "puppetry" at all. In adult animals, the distance between them is large: a human palm easily fits between them. And in babies, the distance between the ears is five to six centimeters.

Torso

Scottish fold cats are medium in size. The limbs are short, with neat round paws. The tail is in proportion to the whole body, of medium size.

Wool

Representatives of this breed may have a coat of medium length or long. In any case, it is dense, has a homogeneous structure. The Scottish Fold cat should have pronounced "pants" and tufts of wool between the fingers.

If the wool has a pronounced "cotton" quality, this is considered a disqualifying factor.

Colors

They may be different in the Scottish Fold breed. Experts divide colors into several groups:

• single color (white, black and others);
• patterned;
• lightened (blue, purple, etc.);
• tortoiseshell;
• chinchillas.

Lavender, chocolate, point colors and combinations of these colors with white are an unacceptable sign. Solid black Scottish fold is quite rare, so its cost is quite high.

Character

Scottish fold has amazing adaptive abilities. New family members, new place - for lop-eared cats there is not much difference. Most breeders note that Scottish Fold animals show amazing calmness at presentations and exhibitions. The nature of these cats can be called unflappable.

Scots are not overly mischievous or hyperactive. This is an extremely intelligent breed. Its representatives will not climb the ledges, they prefer to stay closer to the warm side of the owner. Scottish Fold cats are undemanding and unobtrusive. They are obedient, and therefore there are no problems with their maintenance.

With such a pet, you don't have to be nervous about the fact that the cat climbs on the closet or rushes around the apartment at an incredible speed. They declare their existence only when, in their opinion, the owner forgot to do something important, for example, feed them.

However, it cannot be said that cats of the Scottish Fold breed are apathetic and inactive. They also love to play, especially at a young age. Kittens will surprise their owners with strange poses inherent only to them. This also applies to adult animals - they often do "cat yoga". For example, they like to sit with their paws stretched forward, or become a chipmunk.

Scottish fold cat breeds are distinguished by friendliness. The nature of these animals allows them to quickly get used to other pets and not come into conflict with them. Many owners note that even the most ferocious fightingthe dog next to the Scot turns into an affectionate and playful puppy. In addition, each kitten is distinguished by its individuality, it brings something new to the life of the owner. Some kittens are waiting for increased attention to their own person, others are completely calm, others are very curious, etc.

The character of your pet largely depends on how you raise him, taking into account the characteristics inherent in him, which were laid down at the beginning of life.

Attitude towards children

These are ideal companions for children's games, however, kittens are afraid of noise and loud sounds, therefore, in a family with very young children, it is worth taking older animals.

Care

Grooming this breed is easy. As a rule, the requirements for caring for them are almost the same as the standard ones:

• complete nutrition, which should include the necessary vitamins and minerals;
• hair care (washing as it gets dirty, combing out);
• care for eyes, ears, nail trimming.

But there are also features of care that are characteristic of this particular breed.

1. When combing the coat, do not use a slicker brush, which can damage the plush undercoat.
2. These cats have much more wax in their ears than normal cats, so they should be cleaned more often.
3. The fold's diet can be natural foods or prepared balanced foods.

In the first case, the animal's diet should include:

• lean meat (turkey, beef, chicken,);
• offal;
• liver;
• sea fish (for lop-eared cats, river fish is harmful);
• cottage cheese;
• cheese;
• porridge;
• raw egg;
• vegetables.

Sotish folds are contraindicated:

• pork;
• mutton;
• potato;
• legumes;
• bow.

Premium food is better to choose. It is nutritious, contains essential vitamins and minerals, and is generally non-allergenic.

Knitting

Crossing two Scottish folds is prohibited to avoid bone mutations. Often this ends with the birth of offspring with developmental defects that cannot be used in breeding. Mating between folds and straights is acceptable. A lop-eared cat can be knitted with a cat with erect ears, and a lop-eared cat can only be knitted with a cat with straight ears.

Sometimes Scottish folds are bred with shorthaired British cats, however, this happens quite rarely. For this breed, such mating is necessary. The Scottish Fold acquires a new set of genes as a result. In this case, the breeder conducts several matings between lop-eared animals, and only after that with the British shorthair, which looks like a fold.

In females of this breed, estrus begins at seven to eight months, but at this time it is still very early to mate, it is better to wait for the next one. Pregnancy lasts from 58 to 78 days. A cat is born from one to four kittens. It is impossible to predict how many of them will be lop-eared.

Normal deliverycontinue throughout the day, but more often they occur faster. If the cat is giving birth for the first time, try not to leave her alone. Usually this process occurs without complications, but it is better not to risk the he alth of the cat and offspring.

Where to buy a kitten?

Today, many people want to have a pet of the Scottish Fold breed. Scottish cattery today can be found in almost every major city in our country. For example, in Moscow the most famous are SuperFold and Rumfold cattery. In St. Petersburg - Snow city, Rion. In Rostov-on-Don - "Albon Fold".

Kitten choice

All purebred cats are divided into three categories: pet, breed and show class. It is possible to say exactly which class an animal belongs to only after reaching the age of twelve weeks. Experts advise buying a kitten at this age, since it is during this period that one can already get an idea of the exterior of the animal, to see possible natural defects.

If you need an animal for presentation at exhibitions, breeders advise buying a cat at the age of one year. If you take a kitten that is too small, he will not receive the necessary skills from his mother, he will not be socialized enough. When taking a kitten from a cattery or breeder, do not forget to find out what the baby was fed so as not to transfer it to a new food. A sudden transition to a new diet can provoke an upset stomach in a kitten.

A Scottish Fold kitten up to four months old should be fed four times a day. Then he is transferred to a three-time regimen, from eight months he can be fed twotimes a day, like an adult animal.

He alth

The gene responsible for lop-earedness often causes serious skeletal changes. They can cause a disease such as osteochondrodystrophy. Animals with stiff, inflexible limbs and a thick and short tail are most prone to it.

This disease can be very painful. Otherwise, the he alth of these cats is good, life expectancy reaches twenty years with good care. Don't forget to keep your vaccinations up to date, even if you don't let him out.

Cost of a kitten

Today it is a very popular animal - Scottish fold. The price of a kitten depends on a number of factors. This is the popularity of the cattery in which the animal was born, and the conditions of its maintenance, and belonging to one of the categories of cats (pet, breed or show).

Future owners need to know that a thoroughbred he althy kitten cannot be cheap. The cheapest category is pet. If you need a pet, and you do not plan to participate in exhibitions and shows, then such an animal will suit you. But you should know that cats and cats of this category are not allowed for breeding, so they are sterilized or castrated. Such a kitten costs from 5 thousand rubles.

Scottish fold show-class kitten will cost you much more. The price of such a baby is at least 40 thousand rubles.

Scottish Fold reviews

Many owners note that in addition to outstanding externaldata, folds are smart, become attached to members of their new family, and are great with children. The owners are absolutely unanimous that it is a pleasure to watch the Scottish.

These are excellent companions who are always close to the owner. When necessary, they just sit nearby, if they feel that a person is nervous, they purr and cheer up.