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Scottish Fold
IntroductionThe Scottish Fold 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.
OriginThe 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 in Scotland (UK). The American Wirehair breed commenced under similar circumstances. The neighbor 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.GeneticsThe breeding indicated that the gene causing the folded ears was dominant (Wikipedia calls it "dominant with incomplete penetrance", meaning I presume, in layman's terms, that the effect of the gene is not always present). A dominant gene results in at least half the litter having the mutated gene's characteristic.
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 registery). 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.
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. 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. They are quiet cats with small voices and a nice character. CheckImportant: 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 UpdateIn 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. NoteWhen a cat is being defensive she flattens her ears completely to protect her ears from claws during a fight.The Scottish Fold 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:
Scottish Fold to home page
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