Group Classification: longhair and shorthair
Country of Origin: Scotland
Date of Origin: 1971
Weight (M): 10-13 lbs.
Weight (F): 6-10 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years

History
We have clear records on the beginning of this beloved breed. Founding mother Susie was a farm cat in Tayside, Scotland, and that was where William and Mary Ross (he was the local shepherd) got one of Susie's kittens. That kitten (Snooks) was bred to a British Shorthair; they produced Snowball. Mary Ross sent several Folds to an American geneticist, Neil Todd, of Newtonville, MA in 1971. That began development in the U.S., using American and British Shorthairs as outcrosses. There, the cats were recognized by 1994, but in Britain

General Description
Sweet tempered Scottish Folds are recognized immediately by their ears, which are small and folded forward and down. They have the same large round eyes as Straight Eared Folds, but that's usually noticed after you see the ears. Thanks to both of those traits, these cats look rounded overall. Their short neck and compact body add to that effect. Overall, they have a sweet expression as a result of those features.

Colors
All colors and patterns, including pointed, sepia and mink

(White, black, blue, red, chinchilla silver, shaded silver, shell cameo (red chinchilla), shaded cameo(red shaded), black smoke, blue smoke, cameo smoke(red smoke), classic tabby pattern, mackerel tabby pattern, patched tabby pattern, spotted tabby pattern, silver tabby, blue silver tabby(pewter tabby), blue silver(pewter), red tabby, brown tabby, blue tabby, cream tabby, cameo tabby, tortoiseshell, calico, dilute calico, blue-cream, and cream.)

Coat
The coat of Scottish Folds reflects their farm cat heritage and shorthair ancestors. It is short and dense and needs very little attention.

Notable Features
The ears of the Scottish Fold present an almost cap-like appearance and are by far the most notable of their features.

Health and Care
When two folded-eared cats are bred together, the dominant gene that causes the folding combines to produce deformities of the spine, hind legs and tails. Also, the Scottish Fold's ears are difficult for the cat to clean itself, so owners would be wise to keep an eye on their cleanliness. It would also be advisable (as with all breeds) to have an annual health check beginning about age eight specifically to check liver and kidney function.

Resources
Scottish Fold Fanciers at www.ziplink.net/users/days/SFF.html