Scottish Fold
This cat breed is another instance of a natural genetic mutation affecting a part of the cat's body that has been seen by people as different and attractive. This has resulted in the mutation being commercialized through selective breeding.
The origin of this breed is similar to that of the American Curl and indeed follows the route of other individual cats that have become breeds due to a mutated gene. In 1961, Susie, a cat with a "fold" in her ears (due to the ear cartilage being affected by the mutated gene), was a barn cat living near Coupar Angus, Scotland (UK). Apparently this cat breed is called the Coupari by some Canadian breeders; I see why. The American Wirehair breed commenced under similar circumstances. The neighbor, a shepherd, of the owner of the barn became interested in Susie's litter, in which there were 2 kittens with folded ears. He bred from one of the kittens and so began the Scottish Fold breed. The breeding indicated that the gene causing the folded ears was dominant (it's action can be described as "dominant with incomplete penetrance", meaning I presume, in layman's terms, that the effect of the gene is not always present). The book "Medical, Genetic & Behavioral Aspects of Purebred Cats" (edited by Dr Clark) says that the gene is autosomal dominant. A dominant gene results in at least half the litter having the mutated gene's characteristic. The gene is labeled as "Fd". As there are different degrees of ear fold there may be other genes involved that modify the action of the Fd gene.
This Scottish gentleman (local shepherd William Ross) cat fancier and cat breeder tried to register the breed with the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF - the UK cat fancy registry). They didn't agree it seems and that is still the case (neither does Europe as a whole register this breed). This is for health reasons. Ears that are folded over offer the potential for ear infection and mites. Also, some gene mutations confine their influence on the formation of the cat's body to a particular area (e.g the folded ear). However, this mutated gene is not only associated with the folded ears but a thickening tail and swollen (thickened) feet. The thickened tail results in less flexibility. Note this though (and don't be put off or think that I am being too negative about this breed):- Good breeders will do all they can to minimize this and breeding Fold to non-Fold rarely produces a cat with the accompanying tail and feet deficiencies. See more on health issues below.
If the cat has both the mutated genes (homozygous form - genes come in pairs) then the kitten will die in the womb. There is a similarity here with the dwarf cat as the dwarf gene also has a potential for causing "secondary" defects (in the dwarf cat this can be, for example, a "tight chest"). You can read more about dwarf cats on this website. The dwarf gene also affects cartilage growth. However, Dr Clark says that fold to fold mating results in 1 in 3 Scottish Fold kittens that develop mild to severe skeletal lesions. These are prognathia, vertebral deformities and severe joint disease. The deformed vertebrae affects the coccygeal vertebrae causing a shortened tail. The tail becomes very inflexible. The bones in the rear legs may be shortened causing curved hocks. Accordingly, this breed has to be developed by breeding heterozygotes to American and British Shorthair cats. The results in many purebred Scottish Fold cats with normal ears.Dr Clark's book also mentions that red blood cell destruction happens more commonly in the Scottish Fold newborn kittens than in other breeds. This condition is called Neonatal erythrolysis. The disease is a major cause of fading kitten syndrome. There may be a problem with treating ear mites due to the folded ears. In a talk given by Richard Malik, BVSc, DipVetAn, MVetClinStud, PhD, FACVSc, MASM at the 28th Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association on genetic disorders of cats, he referred to the condition Osteochondrodysplasia in this cat. Even when cats of this breed are mated with normal eared cats resulting in heterozygous cats a progressive arthritic condition takes hold. He says that this is to be expected as the folded ears are due to cartilage that is insufficiently resilient to maintain the shape of the ear flap (pinna). As a result it is not surprising that articular cartilage (cartilage where bone meets bone) is not fit for purpose. This breed was exported to the USA (1971) and breeding continued by crossing with British and American Shorthair cats. As might be expected the defining feature of the Scottish Fold, the ears, has been "enhanced" through selective breeding so that the ear now folds more smoothly (i.e. the fold is in three places as opposed to a single place). The breeding program has resulted in this breed having long and short hair of various colors and patterns except Siamese and Himalayan style pointing (this may be for health reasons). However, the Cat Fanciers Association allow the pointed pattern.__________________________________
Update 6th Dec. 2008: Scottish Fold Kittens is a post reflecting on the dilemma of whether we should adopt a cat of this breed. I have not distinguished thus far between long haired and short haired Scottish Folds. The cat heading this page is a long haired cat, for example. The two types, long and short haired, differ only in respect of hair length. In the UK, specifically England, the British Shorthair cat had frequently been used as an outcross for the Fold. And the Persian had been an outcross for the Brit SH, so it is no surprise some long hair crept into the Scottish Fold. The long haired Fold achieved TICA championship status in 1987. When breeding long haired Folds two genes are involved. The dominant gene causing the folded ears and the long haired gene, which is recessive to the gene for short hair. To enhance the prospect of achieving a long haired cat, two Scottish Folds need to be bred (e.g. two long haired cats of this breed). That is bad practice vis-à-vis the defective, mutated gene that causes the folded ears, as there is a risk that the kittens could develop into crippled cats due to cartilage defects in the leg joins. Perhaps the Scottish Fold long haired cat is more easy going than the short haired cat. They are undemanding and gentle. Appearance - Character - show requirements They are quiet cats with small voices and a nice character. They like companionship and attention. The ears are small and tightly folded. The Scottish Fold has a short nose and a round head. The coat is dense, plush and medium short. The coat stands out from the body. The eyes are large. In the show hall cats with tails that lack flexibility, kinked or short are disqualified.Important: As a result of the potential for secondary problems caused by the mutation, when adopting a Scottish Fold it is sensible to gently check tail flexibility and thickness. The cat should have no lack of mobility due to short coarse legs or splayed toes. The hardening of the cartilage of the tail (and sometimes the ears) can develop later. When adopting it would be wise to discuss this. Helmi made a good point about this. Once you have adopted a Scottish Fold you will bond with him/her and you will not want to return your cat. Clarify this issue at the beginning for you and your new companion.  Scottish Fold Cat src: unknown but in general circulation this picture is digitally manipulated in my opinion. When a cat is being defensive she flattens her ears completely to protect her ears from claws during a fight. This cat breed displays the defensive ear position all the time giving her a continuously defensive appearance. This may have an effect on how she is perceived by other cats that may live with her. _______________________________
Sources:
Wikipedia® Click on this link to see the Wikipedia® License src: Wikipedia® published under GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version, November 2002 Copyright (C) 2000,2001,2002 Free Software Foundation, Inc. 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA - - no other conditions to the license are added. The map is a modified (cropped) version Derived from Wikimedia Commons image of original work forming part of the "Europe location" map series created by David Liuzzo: derived from Image:Europe_location_SCO.png. Scottish Fold to home page 
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