Scottish cats are very close in appearance, character and habits to the British. Just like them, scottis are massive, heavy, with large, round, wide-set eyes. But they have their own unique trait. The breed of "Scots" is divided into two subspecies: fold and straight. This definition refers to the auricles. They, in fact, are either hanging or erect, like other cats. Representatives of Scottish fold and fold are most valued . But without their fellow with normal hearing organs it would be impossible to breed the breed.
The fact is that the Scottish fold cat breed was the result of a gene mutation. She was both a unique feature of this "race" and a threat to the life of its carriers. In 1961, a white kitten was born on a farm near Theiside, near the town of Dundee, with which, as they grew older, the tips of their ears began to bend forward and down, covering the auditory opening. He became the progenitor of the breed. However, it soon became clear that two folds should not be crossed. As a result of such mating, an extremely sick, not adapted for life offspring is obtained. Kittens are born with a flattened tail, crooked paws. Their vertebrae grow together with age, which leads to paralysis, and then to the death of the animal.
This circumstance was the reason that the world felinological associations for a long time did not want to register the breed. It was only in 1991 (32 years later) that the CFA approved the standard for folds.
Straight-headed Scottish cats are the key to the continued existence of the breed. To get healthy offspring, folders must be crossed with straights.
In principle, apart from the possible exposure to degenerative joint disease, folds are in good health. Scottish cats of both subspecies live from 15 to 20 years. If you got a lop-eared pet, at a young age often pull it by the tail (until the crunch). This procedure is a prophylaxis against fusion of the vertebrae. For short hair care is very simple: just brush it once a week with a mitt.
Scottish cats can have any color and any patterns on the wool. The standard requires only a short soft coat with thick down. Representatives of the breed should be slightly lighter and more graceful than the British, have a rounded muzzle and almond-shaped upper eyelid. An adult cat, as a rule, weighs up to five kilograms, ladies - up to three and a half. But, like shaving, scottis should have a massive skeleton, rounded paw pads, a developed chest and a round head.
Scottish cats have a balanced character: they are deprived of any aggression. In addition, these animals are extremely intelligent. Even small kittens are easily accustomed to the scratching post and tray. A characteristic feature of the Scottish women is their voice - somewhat muffled, creaky, pleasant. They also tend to stand on their hind legs often and for a long time. This gopher pose is a lot of fun for the Scots owners. It looks especially funny when a cat watches TV like this. The scottish nordic disposition allows them to adapt well in different conditions. Whether it is a house full of children or dogs, or a quiet home of a lonely person, the Scots always feel great.