Long-Haired Scottish Fold: Facts, Origin & History (With Pictures)

Scottish Folds are well known for their folded ears and laidback personalities. This cat breed comes in two varieties: short-haired and long-haired. Other than the length of their coats, both varieties are alike in terms of lineage, temperament, and history. The Scottish Fold is the ultimate lap cat that enjoys a good nap while sprawled out on their back.

These cats do not like to be left alone for long periods of time, though they don’t mind traveling with their human companions, and they can adapt quickly to new surroundings, such as hotel rooms. If they have another feline companion to spend their time with, they can be fine at home while humans are at school and work. Read on to learn more about this interesting cat breed!

The Earliest Records of Long-Haired Scottish Folds in History 

In 1961, a shepherd in Scotland named William Ross found a kitten with folded ears hanging out on his neighbor’s property. The kitten was a female named Susie. After she gave birth to a litter of kittens, William Ross adopted a white one. He then decided to breed his cat with the neighboring farm cats and British shorthairs until a floppy-eared breed of cat was fully developed.

The breeding of Scottish Folds throughout Great Britain ended in the late 1970s when a geneticist discovered that 1/3 of the cats developed a skeletal lesion due to a gene abnormality. However, breeders in the United States managed to weed the gene out of their cats. Today, Scottish Folds bred in the United States are considered as healthy as any other breed.

How the Long-Haired Scottish Fold Gained Popularity 

Their folded ears are what made the Scottish Fold so popular. As soon as there were litters of these cats available, people in the local area took notice of them. As more people adopted a Scottish Fold, the breed become better known in surrounding areas and then throughout Greater Britain.

They were still popular even after breeding was discontinued due to health concerns. Conscientious breeders in the United States reignited the popularity of Scottish Folds so nowadays, they are as well-known as Domestic Shorthairs and Persians.

Formal Recognition of the Long-Haired Scottish Fold

Both short- and long-haired Scottish Folds are formally recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association, which gave the breed championship status in 1978. The International Cat Association also recognizes the Scottish Fold. Unfortunately, the breed is still not recognized by Great Britain’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy. No other associations are known to formally recognize the Scottish Fold.

Top 5 Unique Facts About Long-Haired Scottish Folds

1. They Are Born With Straight Ears

Although the Scottish Fold usually has folded ears that give them an endearing look, they all start with straight ears as kittens. If a cat has the gene responsible for the folding, their ears will start to fold down by 3 to 4 weeks old. If the gene is not present, their ears will stay straight throughout their lifetime.

2. They Are Never Bred Together

Two Scottish Folds are never bred together for ethical reasons, as this would almost guarantee that their babies would be born with the genetic disorder that causes the growth of skeletal lesions. Instead, one Scottish Fold is bred with either an American or Scottish Shorthair. This is why some kittens are born with the gene to create folded ears, and others are not.

3. They Sometimes Like to Sit Like Prairie Dogs

The Scottish Fold will seek to improve their visual vantage point by sitting on their backend and straightening their body, just like a prairie dog would do. They sometimes also relax against a wall on their butt, with their hind legs sticking out. These comical positions usually encourage people to pull out their smartphones to take photos and videos.

4. They Come in a Variety of Coat Colors

No colors or patterns are off-limits when it comes to the coats of Scottish Folds. They can be white, orange, blue, black, red, tabby, and silver, just to name a few. They might display a tricolor pattern, striped pattern, or marbled pattern, depending on the genes that they inherited from their parents. Their eyes could also be any color but are usually copper toned.

5. Taylor Swift Is a Big Fan

Taylor Swift loves her Scottish Fold kitties, Olivia and Meredith, so much that she regularly features them in her Instagram posts and ensures that they are included in her everyday life, whether she’s spending time at home or traveling for work.

Does the Scottish Fold Make a Good Pet?

Whether short or long-haired, the Scottish Fold can make an excellent pet for families and households of all shapes and sizes. These loyal cats love the company and attention of their human companions. They get along well with kids and other pets and enjoy snuggling whenever they get the opportunity.

They don’t mind spending most, if not all, their time indoors, which means less of a risk of contracting disease and getting into fights with stray felines. This can help save money on veterinarian bills as time goes on. These cats can also handle quiet households and those with plenty of activity.

Conclusion 

The Long-Haired Scottish Fold is less common than the short-haired variety, but they do exist and make an excellent pet. They can be hard to come by, but with persistence, it’s possible to find a reputable breeder to work with. These sweet-natured kitties want nothing more than to lounge in a lap or next to a window under the sun. They are worth serious consideration if you are looking to add a feline to your family.

Featured Image Credit: Oleksandr Volchanskyi, Shutterstock