How was the Scottish Fold cat bred? - briefly
The Scottish Fold cat originated in Scotland in 1961 when a kitten named Susie, born with a unique genetic mutation causing folded ears, was selectively bred to establish the breed.
How was the Scottish Fold cat bred? - in detail
The Scottish Fold cat breed originated from a natural genetic mutation discovered in Scotland in 1961. The first known Scottish Fold was a white barn cat named Susie, who had unique folded ears due to a spontaneous genetic mutation affecting cartilage development. This mutation caused her ears to fold forward and downward, giving her an owl-like appearance. Susie’s distinctive trait caught the attention of a local shepherd, William Ross, who, along with his wife Mary, began breeding her offspring to study and perpetuate the folded-ear characteristic. They partnered with geneticist Pat Turner, who conducted extensive research and confirmed that the folded ears were the result of an autosomal dominant gene. The breeding program initially focused on crossing Susie’s descendants with British Shorthairs and other domestic cats to establish the breed while maintaining genetic diversity. However, it was later discovered that breeding two cats with the folded-ear gene could lead to severe skeletal abnormalities, such as osteochondrodysplasia, a condition affecting bone and cartilage development. To mitigate these health risks, responsible breeding practices were adopted, ensuring that Scottish Folds were only bred with straight-eared cats, such as British Shorthairs or American Shorthairs. This approach preserved the breed’s unique appearance while minimizing health complications. The Scottish Fold was officially recognized by cat registries in the 1970s, and its popularity grew due to its charming appearance and affectionate temperament. Today, the breed is celebrated worldwide, with careful attention paid to ethical breeding practices to ensure the health and well-being of these distinctive cats.