Cat breeds

HERE ARE 5 FUN FACTS ABOUT SAVANNAH CATS.
1. THEY'RE DESCENDED FROM WILD CATS IN AFRICA.
On April 7, 1986, the very first Savannah cat was born. It was the result of breeding a male African serval cat and a domestic Siamese female. Because of their mixed heritage, Savannahs have unique spotted coats. They also have an active, intelligent personality.

2. THEY LOVE TO INTERACT WITH PEOPLE.
If you love to play with your cat and have plenty of time to spend with her, you'll love a Savannah cat. This cat breed thrives on interaction and loves to entertain. Brigitte Cowell, a Savannah cat expert, explains, "The serval has been termed the clown of the veldt, and I find my Savannahs seem to know how amusing their antics can be and play to their audience." Savannahs will form a strong bond with their owners. They also love to play with children and can make a great family pet.

3. THEY ARE REMARKABLY LONG-LIVED AND HEALTHY.
Although Savannah cats are purebred, they tend to enjoy good health. On average, they can live to an age of 12-15 years old (or even longer). You will be able to enjoy your Savannah cat for a long, happy life!

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4. THEY EACH HAVE A SPECIAL GENERATION NUMBER.
Because Savannah cats are a relatively new breed (started in 1986), each Savannah cat has a special number to identify their generation. These numbers are F1, F2, F3, and so on.

What does the F stand for? It means "Filial," referring to which generation the cat belongs.

F1 means that the cat is one of the first offspring of a serval cat and a domestic cat.

F2 designates the second generation- the grand kittens.

F3 identifies the great-grandkittens, and kittens from F4 and up are considered purebred cats.

5. THEY'VE WON 2 GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS.
Because Savannahs are remarkably tall cats, they have produced 2 Guinness World Record winners. In 2013, a Savannah named Trouble took the title for Tallest Domestic Cat, measuring in at 19 inches from shoulder to toe.

However, another Savannah named Arcturus stole the title in 2017. He stood just over 19 inches tall.

Now those are tall kitties!

Thai
The Thai is a medium sized cat, robust and cobby in build, but never large or coarse. Alert and attractive, they have a heart shaped face with large, mobile ears. The Thai cat is a shorthaired cat breed that has a flat, short coat that is really soft in texture. They have a wedge-shaped muzzle, ears that are broad at the base, and a long, flat forehead that distinguishes it from other pointed breeds.
History and Origins
Country of Origin: Thailand

The Thai cat breed originated in Thailand, where it is actually referred to as the Wichien-Maat, which translates to “moon diamond.” This breed is also commonly referred to as the Traditional, or Old-Style, Siamese.

The Thai (Blue Point and Lilac) originated in 1989 from a litter of Korat kittens in the UK. To the breeder’s surprise, one of the kittens wasn’t blue as Korats are, but a pinky shade. In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, more white or pink kittens appeared, and it eventually became clear that Korats carried recessive genes for the Lilac and Blue Point colours.

Recessive genes like these can stay hidden for many generations. The Lilac gene dilutes coat colour to the pinky-beige, and the Blue Point gene restricts colour to the extremities of the cat (the legs, ears, nose and tail).
Personality
The Thai can be talkative, though in a less demanding or strident way than other foreign type cats. Thai cats will strongly bond with their families. They are very person oriented, liking to be involved in everything their human is doing, in a ‘helpful’ or at least, supervisory way. Don’t be surprised if you have to fish your Thai cat out of your bath or of their paws out of your coffee fairly regularly.

Thai cats are also intelligent, clever and talkative, often telling their owners how they feel. Unlike many cats, Thai cats are notably fond of travelling, though their preference would be to be loose in the car, which is of course not safe.

10 Bengal Cat Facts
1. Bengals have wild DNA.
The first Bengals were created by breeding Asian leopard cats with domestic cats. While documentation of the hybrid reaches back as early as the 1800s, the breed was perfected in the 1980s by Jean Sugden Mill. Over time, breeders like Mill developed a cat that combined the beauty and grace of a wild, forest-dwelling cat with the temperament of a domestic cat.
2. Bengals love water.
The threat of getting wet sends most cats clamoring for cover, but not the water-loving Bengal. These frisky felines will gladly drink right from the tap if allowed. A Bengal may even follow its owner into the shower or bathtub. If you prefer privacy when bathing, make sure to close your door and prepare for some serious meowing from your Bengal.
3. Bengals need entertainment.
Bengals are not typical, lazy house cats. They're very smart and need plenty of attention and toys to keep them occupied. We're not just talking about stuffed mice. Toys with puzzles to solve are best for a curious Bengal. If your home is lacking in entertainment value, your Bengal will likely find his own way to combat boredom. This can include destroying your electronic equipment or getting into things it shouldn't.
4. Bengals are excellent jumpers and climbers.
Think your Bengal can't possibly get onto that 10-foot-high ledge where you're displaying your prized orchids? Think again. Bengals can jump up to three times their height, and can easily find a way onto just about any shelf or ledge in your house. In addition to their "flying" abilities, they're also excellent climbers, and can hide in places where you'll never imagined they would venture.
5. Bengals can learn tricks.
Because Bengals are so intelligent and hungry for attention, they're among the easiest cats to train. For example, it's simple to teach a Bengal to play fetch. And one of the easiest tricks to teach a Bengal is how to turn on and off light switches. But use caution. Once a strong-willed Bengal learns how to do that, it might decide it wants to play with the switches all night long.
6. Bengal coats "glitter."
One of the Bengal's most attractive qualities is its incredibly soft, beautifully speckled or marbled coat. Bengal coats come in a variety of colors, from golden brown to gray and black. Some Bengals also inherit something called the "glitter gene," which gives their coats a bright, iridescent look. It is difficult to capture in pictures, but a Bengal with this gene will appear to sparkle in sunlight.
7. Bengals are little thieves.
Having a hard time finding your house keys? You may want to cross examine your bengal. These cute crooks tend to do what they please with whatever objects and items throughout your house catch their interest. They might pick something up and hide it behind your couch, or decide that important check you're supposed to cash would be better in a million little pieces all over the living room floor. Keep your Bengal out of your things by offering it plenty of cat-friendly toys.
8. Bengals love the leash.
Putting a leash on most adult cats means also putting several painful scratches all over your forearms. A Bengal, however, is much easier to leash-train, even as an adult. It is recommended that your Bengal be a mostly indoor pet, due to its tendency and amazing ability to hunt birds. However, harness training will allow your Bengal to explore the outdoors safely under your watchful eye.
9. Bengals love to talk.
Bengals are very vocal and can be loud when they want something. A Bengal will definitely let you know when it's time to eat or time to play, so before adopting one, make sure you're OK with a cat that demands conversation. All that said, Bengal meows can be quite adorable, expressive and fun to hear.
10. Bengals are expensive.
You won't likely find a Bengal roaming the streets. This breed can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000 for one cat, depending on the pedigree and whether the cat is fixed. There's often a premium paid if breeding rights come with the cat. That being said, there are numerous Bengal rescue groups out there that can help you find a more affordable pet if you're not picky about markings and age.

12 Facts About Maine C***s
1. Maine C***s are massive animals.
There’s a reason why some people have mistaken pet Maine C***s for bobcats—they’re huge. Maine C***s tip the scales at anywhere from 9 to 16 pounds (female) and 13 to 18 pounds (male). Some people like to say Maine C***s are the biggest cat breed, but they actually fall somewhere between Norwegian Forest Cats, which weigh up to 16 pounds, and Ragdolls, which can weigh up to 20 pounds.

2. Maine C***s have colorful origin stories.
As their name suggests, Maine C**n cats are native to the Pine Tree State. Thanks to their brown coats and bushy tails, one popular (but scientifically unsound) explanation for the breed's origin is that it resulted from semi-wild domesticated cats mating with racc***s. Another theory is that Maine C***s are descendants of six pet cats that Queen Marie Antoinette shipped to Wiscasset, Maine, as she was planning her escape from France during the French Revolution.

A less intriguing—but more plausible—story is that the furry kitties originated from short-haired domestic cats breeding with longhaired cats, which may have been brought to America by the Vikings or European sailors who docked in New England during the 1700s. Since genetic testing indicates that Maine C***s are actually a descendent of both the Norwegian Forest Cat and a mysterious extinct domestic breed, the Vikings are likely responsible.

3. Maine C***s are "dressed" for winter.
Maine C***s evolved to survive harsh winters by developing characteristics like large, tufted paws that serve as built-in “snowshoes” and a thick, bushy tail they can wrap around their bodies when they're cold.

Their crowning feature is a dense, water-repellant coat that’s longer on the stomach, ruff, and flanks. These shaggy sections keep a Maine C**n’s lower body warm when it sits on or walks across ice or snow. The fur grows shorter on the shoulders, allowing the kitties to romp through the woods without getting snared by tree branches or bushes.

4. Not all Maine C**n cats are brown.
Maine C***s are often thought to be synonymous with their brown, raccoon-like coats. They actually come in all kinds of colors and patterns, including smoke, cream, cameo, mackerel, and tortoiseshell. But Maine C**n owners don't breed cats with lilac, chocolate, or Seal Point Siamese coloring—the Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) disqualifies against these colors, since they indicate hybridization [PDF].

5. Maine C***s won America's first popular juried cat exhibit.
One of America’s first well-known cat shows was held in New York City’s Madison Square Garden in 1895. There, a brown tabby Maine C**n cat named Cosie won the event’s “Best Cat” award. Today, the silver collar and medal Cosey won at the event are on display at the CFA headquarters in Alliance, Ohio.

For a long time after, Maine C***s were the country’s most coveted breed until Persian cats came into vogue. After that, cat fanciers stopped breeding the prize-winning Maine C**n. The cat became so scarce that some sources say it was thought to be extinct in the 1950s. Aficionados joined forces to rescue the fluffy feline from obscurity, forming the Maine C**n Breeders and Fanciers Association in 1968. In 1976, Maine C***s were accepted for championship status by the CFA.

6. Maine c***s are popular in Maine—and everywhere else.
The Maine C**n was made the official state cat of Maine in 1985—but they're also beloved by cat lovers across America. In 2021, Maine C***s were the second most popular breed in the U.S., according to CFA registration statistics. They're also prized in Japan and Europe.

7. A Maine C**n starred in the Harry Potter movies.
A female Maine C**n named Pebbles was one of three kitties to play Argus Filch’s pet feline, Mrs. Norris, in the Harry Potter films. Pebbles was a neutered mama cat that animal trainers "discovered" in a cattery in southwest England. She reportedly wasn’t as responsive to complex training as the film's other cat actors, but she was great at walking across the set and stopping on command. Remember those shots of Mrs. Norris pacing the halls of Hogwarts? That’s Pebbles.

8. A Maine C**n was cloned commercially.
In 2004, a Maine C**n named Little Nicky became the first pet animal to be cloned commercially. After Little Nicky died at the age of 17, his Dallas-area owner, Julie (who declined to give her full name to media outlets), saved his tissue in a gene bank. She paid $50,000 to have the California-based Genetic Savings & Clone, Inc.—a controversial company dedicated to dog and cat cloning—transplant Little Nicky's DNA into an egg cell. A surrogate mother cat carried the embryo, and gave birth to a kitten that was similar in appearance and temperament to Julie's prized kitty.

According to newspaper interviews, Julie was a happy customer. However, she won't be commissioning a Little Nicky III anytime soon. Genetic Savings & Clone, Inc.—which made global headlines for producing the first cloned cat, CC, in 2001—closed in 2006, reportedly for financial reasons.

9. A Maine C**n is the world's longest domestic cat ...
In 2018, a Maine C**n named Barivel was crowned the world’s longest domestic living cat. He measures an impressive 47.3 inches long.

He’s not the first of his breed to hold such a record. Stewie, an 8-year-old Maine C**n, held the Guinness World Record for world's longest domestic cat before his death from cancer in 2013. When fully stretched out, Stewie measured 48.5 inches from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail bone.

10. ... and was the world's oldest cat.
Technically, Corduroy—the feline who once helds the Guinness World Record for world's oldest living cat—was only half-Maine C**n. However, Corduroy's 27-year lifespan put his purebred counterparts to shame.

11. Maine C***s love water.
Maybe it's due to their dense, moisture-repellant coats, but for some reason, most Maine C***s love water. While other cats will steer clear of a full bathtub, a Maine C**n will likely jump into it.

12. Some Maine C***s have six toes.
Move over, Hemingway’s cats—Maine C***s sometimes also have six toes [PDF]. Early in the breed’s development, Maine C***s were often polydactyls, meaning they were born with extra appendages on their paws. Some experts estimate that as many as 40 percent of early Maine C***s had this characteristic. It stemmed from a genetic mutation, which some people say helped the cats use their paws as “natural snowshoes” during snowy Maine winters.

Thanks to the rise of cat fanciers' associations, which disqualified polydactyls from competing in the purebred class, the trait was eventually viewed as undesirable. Owners ceased breeding polydactyl Maine C***s, and 6-toed kitties gradually declined in number. However, some non-purebred litters still yield Maine C***s with extra digits.

9 Facts About the Persian Cat, King of the Lap-Nappers
1. Persian Cats Came From Persia ... Possibly
The exact origins of the Persian cat are obscure. But it came to the attention of Europeans when diplomats stationed in the Middle East brought the first long-haired cats back to England and other European countries in the mid-1800s. Two of the best-known cats were Persians from Iran (seat of the ancient Persian Empire) and Angoras named for Ankara in Turkey. These long-haired beauties, both Persian and Angora cats, were an immediate hit with Westerners. The Persian cat was immediately prized for its exotic looks and named for its presumed homelands.
2. They Have an Old-school Pedigree
Purebred cats closely followed the creation of the first kennel clubs in Europe in the mid-19th century. The world's first cat show was held in London's Crystal Palace in 1871, and the first purebred Persians arrived in the United States around 1875. The rise of cat breeding houses on both sides of the Atlantic at the turn of the 20th century was largely driven by the popularity of the Persian cat, considered one of the earliest pedigreed cats.

3. It All Starts With the Hair
The Persian cat has a long, thick coat with individual hairs 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters) in length. The colors of its coat run the full spectrum from solid, snowy white to wild, multi-tone combinations of tabby, tortoiseshell, patches and more.

Then there's the face. Unlike Egyptian or Siamese cats with long sleek noses, Persians have flat, open faces with tiny button noses. Their richly colored eyes, close set against this wee nose, look extra big and expressive. The curved, pansy-shape of their cheeks accentuates their small, triangular mouths.

Persians have compact bodies with short, heavy-boned legs and medium-length tails.

4. Persians Are as Friendly as Dogs – But Lazy, Too
Persians are popular for more than their good looks. They're also exceptionally friendly ... for a cat.

"Most cats are affectionate on their own terms," says Susan MacArthur, who's been breeding Persians at Pelaqita Persians for 20 years. "We call Persians 'dog cats,' because they really like people. They also do things that normal cats don't do."

Persians will run to the door to greet visitors and even come when they're called by name, a doggy trick that most cats feel is beneath them. Persians are also known to be "talkative," chatting with their owners in a sing-songy meow.

But don't get the idea that Persians are overly active animals.

"They are the laziest breed in the world," says MacArthur. "They literally sleep 20 hours a day. Even the kittens don't play very much."

But that's just fine with Persian fans. Their laid-back, lap-napping style means that Persians are less likely to hop up on counters and rummage through cabinets searching for food.

5. That Coat Doesn't Comb Itself
A Persian cat might be laid-back, but its fur is famously high maintenance. If you're going to buy a long-haired breed like a Persian cat breed, expect to comb its hair every single day.
"Because their coat is long and slightly greasy, Persians get mats [clumps or knots of hair] very quickly under their armpits, behind their hind legs and behind their ears," says MacArthur. "If you don't comb them once a day, in a week you'll have little mats."

And while short-haired housecats can be left to lick themselves clean, a purebred Persian should be bathed regularly. Breeders like MacArthur start bathing her kittens early to accustom them to weekly scrubbings.

The upside of all that combing and shampooing Persian cat owners have to do is that their feline friend will shed less.

6. They're Not Feline Einsteins
Cats are notoriously crafty, wily and smart. Before raising Persians, MacArthur bred German Shepherds, one of the most intelligent dogs on the planet.

"I was very surprised once I got into breeding and showing cats how smart they are. I actually feel they're smarter than dogs," says MacArthur. "That being said, Persians are stupid."

Maybe stupid is too strong of a word. They're just a little slower to reach developmental milestones than other breeds. MacArthur says that even at 8 weeks old, she'll have kittens who still haven't figured out the litter box.

On top of that, Persians just aren't natural predators and hunters. In her 20 years of breeding Persians, which means having 10 or more cats in the house at a given time, MacArthur says not one has caught a mouse or shown any interest in chasing critters.

With their sedentary temperaments, and all that long luscious hair, Persians are indoor cats for sure.

7. Their Coats Are a Rainbow of Cat Colors
The Cat Fanciers' Association recognizes seven different categories (or divisions) of Persians: solid; silver and golden; smoke and shaded; tabby; particolor; bicolor and Himalayan.
But within those seven categories are a near-endless combination of hair colors and patterns: chocolate, red, blue, lilac, cream, tortoiseshell, tabby, calico and more. MacArthur says that if she breeds certain varieties of Persians, the kittens are capable of producing 30 different color combinations. "It's always a surprise," she says.

8. They'll Live a Good Long Life
Unlike some purebred dogs, which are predisposed to a host of health issues, Persians are generally free of genetic issues. The one exception is a condition called polycystic kidney disease. But thanks to inexpensive genetic testing, most breeders have been able to eliminate the PKD-1 gene from their breeding stock.

Even though they have pug-like flattened faces, Persians don't typically suffer from breathing issues. There are certain varieties of Persians with extremely short skulls and almost no nasal bones called "ultraPersians" that can suffer from a breathing condition known as brachycephaly.

Because of their compact hips, purebred Persian moms give birth to relatively small litters, between two and six kittens per birth, says MacArthur, and the breed usually has a life span of 15 to 18 years.

9. They Cost a Bundle
It's a good thing these cats have long lives, since they're not cheap. At Pelaqita Persians, a pet-quality Persian kitten costs between $900 and $2,000. Those kittens come spayed or neutered, and microchipped. Breeder-quality and show-quality kittens are sold "intact," meaning they haven't been fixed. Those animals start at $1,500 and go as high as $3,000 for a high-quality male. All purebred animals are registered with the CFA with their full pedigree.

9 Proper Facts About British Shorthairs
As its name suggests, the British Shorthair cat is as traditionally English as tea and scones. Here are nine facts about the stocky feline, whose chubby face, easy-going demeanor, and short, plush fur made it America's fifth most popular pedigreed cat in 2014.

1. THEY'RE DESCENDED FROM THE CATS OF ANCIENT ROME.
The British Shorthair bears the proud distinction of being one of the world’s oldest cat breeds. Experts think that the feline is descended from cats imported to Rome from ancient Egypt. When the Romans invaded Great Britain in 43 CE, they took the cats with them.

2. "THE FATHER OF CAT FANCY" LOVED BRITISH SHORTHAIRS.
British Shorthairs existed as street cats and barn mousers until Harrison Weir—a 19th-century animal lover known as “the father of cat fancy”—began breeding exemplary examples of the country’s native cats. He showcased the breed at London's Crystal Palace in 1871, in an event that’s considered by many to be the world’s first cat show. The show was filled with exotic imported cats, including Persians and Siamese-like cats. However, Weir preferred his country's native breed. "My first love will always be for the shorthaired domestic cat," Weir wrote in his book about various cat breeds, Our Cats and All About Them (1889).

3. THE BRITISH SHORTHAIR NEARLY WENT EXTINCT.
By the early 20th century, longhaired breeds had eclipsed the British Shorthair in popularity. Adding injury to insult, cat fanciers stopped breeding the British Shorthair during World Wars I and II, and it nearly went extinct. To ensure the breed’s survival, British Shorthair aficionados crossbred their cats with Persians and other felines. The British Shorthair stuck around, and in 1980, the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) recognized the feline as an official breed in America.

4. THE BRITISH SHORTHAIR MAY HAVE INSPIRED LEWIS CARROLL'S CHESHIRE CAT.
Historians think that Lewis Carroll may have based his Cheshire Cat illustrations in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland off a tabby British Shorthair.

5. A BRITISH SHORTHAIR HELPED SPAWN THE "I CAN HAS CHEEZBURGER?" EMPIRE.
A British Shorthair was featured in the original “I Can Has Cheezburger?” meme. The viral internet phenomenon can be traced back to 2007, when a Hawaiian blogger named Eric Nakagawa saw a picture of a happy-looking British Shorthair on an online message board. It was captioned with the now-famous “I Can Has Cheezburger?” line, inspiring Nakagawa to register a website with the same name and share the image. Nakagawa began posting more cat pictures, and he eventually turned his blog into a monetized website. It was acquired for $2 million in 2007, and became the basis for the Cheezburger Network, a network of social humor websites.

6. NOT ALL BRITISH SHORTHAIRS ARE GREY.
Speaking of "I Can Has Cheezburger?”, some people think that all British Shorthairs are silvery grey with copper eyes, like the cat in the meme. That particular type of cat is called the British Blue. While the British Blue is a popular variation of the breed, it's not the only one. British Shorthair cats come in white, black, red, gold, and silver, among other fur colors. You’ll also spot British Shorthairs with color-point, tortoiseshell, bicolor, and tabby patterns. As for their eye colors, they range from gold to copper to blue-green.

7. THEY CAN GET CHUNKY.
Mature British Shorthairs tend to weigh 9 to 17 pounds, and mature females average 7 to 12 pounds. However, the solid-framed breed has a tendency toward obesity, and can easily tip the scales at a higher weight: PetMD recently listed the British Shorthair as one of its “top 10 fat cats.” British Shorthair owners are advised to provide their kitties with healthy food and plenty of exercise, since overweight kitties face an increased risk for diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and other conditions.

8. BRITISH SHORTHAIRS ARE MAGNETS FOR WEIRD NEWS.
British Shorthair cats have appeared in several bizarre international news stories. In late 2014, state debt collectors in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, tried to force a man to pay 12,000 rubles in unpaid taxes. Since the debtor didn’t own any valuable material possessions, the collectors threatened to confiscate his British Shorthair cat and its three kittens. "Because the animals are pedigree and expensive, the representative of the law decided to place the cat brood under arrest," the region's court marshal's service said in a statement. Needless to say, the man ended up paying his taxes, and he got to keep his cats.

Also in Russia, an easily trained British Shorthair cat named Dusya skyrocketed to fame—and fortune—by starring in photo shoots, TV productions, and a commercial for a Russian telephone operator. As of March 2015, Dusya had earned around £2,000—more than what most Russians make in a year, according to AOL Money.

In 2015, an Eastern European gang catnapped Maggie, a 1-year-old British Shorthair that lived with her wealthy owners in a London mansion. The thieves demanded a ransom of £5000. Maggie’s owners agreed to shell out the cash, and they participated in an exchange in a public park to get their beloved cat back.

9. A BRITISH SHORTHAIR ONCE HAD THE WORLD'S LOUDEST PURR.
In 2011, a 12-year-old British Shorthair cat named Smokey was declared to have the world’s loudest purr. His vocal rumblings measured 67.7 decibels, and were reportedly as noisy as a lawn mower. Sadly, Smokey died from kidney failure in 2014. He was immortalized in the Guinness World Records until another cat, Merlin, broke his ear-splitting record in 2015 with a 67.8 decibel purr.

The Scottish Fold Cat Breed

Weight range:
Male: large: >12 lbs.
Female: medium: 8-12 lbs.

Eye color:
Blue, Green, Gold, Odd-eyed

Expectations:
Longevity Range: 9-12 yrs.
Social/Attention Needs: Moderate
Tendency to Shed: High

Coat:
Length: Short, Medium, Long
Characteristics: Straight
Colors: White, Blue, Cream, Red, Silver, Cameo, Brown, Bluecream, Tortoiseshell, Black
Pattern: Solid color, Tortoiseshell, Tricolor/Calico, Bicolor, Tabby, Ticking, Smoke, Shaded, Spots
Less Allergenic: No
Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate, High

Club recognition:
Cat Association Recognition:
CFA, ACFA , FIFe, TICA
Prevalence: Rare

The Scottish Fold is a medium-sized cat with medium sized boning. She is a very round looking cat.

The head is round and the folded ears heighten that illusion of roundness. The eyes are very round, bright and clear. The legs appear round, as does the tail in comparison to its length. The short coat is easy to care for. Some registries allow a longhaired version of the Scottish Fold called the Scottish Fold Longhair. Their longer coats can vary slightly in texture, and require regular care.

Personality:
The Scottish Fold is a sweet, charming breed. She is an easy cat to live with and to care for. She is affectionate and is comfortable with all members of her family. Her tail should be handled gently. Some of these cats are known to develop stiffness in the tail that can cause pain if it is mishandled or accidentally handled in a rough manner.

Living With:
Care should be taken with the nutrition of the Scottish Fold. This breed has a roundness about it to begin with and she should not become overweight. She is a good eater and is not as active as other breeds, so nutritionary control is critical.

The Scottish Fold needs some interactive play with her parent in order to keep in good condition. While the coat is an easy one to care for, she appreciates being brushed as part of play.

As the Scottish Fold ages, play gently with the tail, moving it from side to side, and up and down. If any stiffness is noticed or if she appears to be in pain when the tail is manipulated, she should be taken to the veterinarian to make certain she is not suffering from arthritis.

History:
Cats with drooping ears or folded ears are ancient. The first word of one goes as far back as 1796. In this year, an English sailor brought back one of these cats when he returned from China. The Chinese also contributed the second example of a folded ear cat to the cat fancy history when one was noted in 1938.

But the Scottish Fold as we know her today was first born in 1961 in Pertshire, Scotland. There, a kitten with folded ears was discovered in a litter of otherwise "normal" eared kittens. This kitten, named Susie, was then bred to domestic cats and British Shorthair cats to establish the folded ear. To this day, every Scottish fold can trace her ancestry to Susie.

While the British established the Scottish Fold as a breed, she has never been as popular there as she is in the United States. Not only did Americans fall in love with this breed, but developed the breed into the beautiful cat she is today.

The Scottish Fold is difficult to breed. The folded ear cat must not be bred to another folded ear cat. Allowable outcrosses, in addition to a straight-eared cat, are the American Shorthair and British Shorthair. If two folded eared cats are bred to each other, the resulting kittens can be impaired to the extent of having difficulty walking. Even with this outcross, Scottish Folds tend to have small litters and not all of these kittens have folded ears.