Here’s a quick pop quiz for you. What kind of pedigreed cat could trace its ancestry back to the common ancestor of all cats that are that belong to this breed? And we have her name? What cat is compared to an Owl, a Teddy Bear and a breed of rabbit? What breed of cat recently saw members receive a complete page of a tribute to be featured in People magazine? The gorgeous, affectionate Scottish Fold obviously!
The first Scottish Fold cat
The history of the Scottish Fold cat breed begins with Susie, a cat with folded ears discovered at McRae Farm in Scotland. There have been older references to cats with ear flaps but they are not documented. Recently, there was an amazing old Oriental wall hanging that depicted the folded-ear cat with kittens on an online auction website. When Jean Grimm was doing research in preparation for an article she will write about Folds and found the following information that I found fascinating that I wanted to include it in the article. A 1975 Guide to the Cats of the World by Loxton contains the following statement “The idea of a drop-eared Chinese breed was a persistent one.” The first written mention of the cats is from 1796, in the Universal Magazine of Knowledge in the issue where cats with folded ears were described as wild cats found in China. Guide to the Cats of the World further states, “A century later a sailing sailor came back from China with a drop-eared cat.” The rare mutation was believed to be a relic of white cats with long hair.
Is it just a coincidence it was the case that the initial Folds found in Scotland were as white like the ones previously mentioned were, and that the Oriental art also shows cats with white droppings? We can’t be sure however, sailors were certainly on through the oceans. The stories are not over, and the concept of a natural change appearing at times is not without merit.
Mary as well as William Ross, British Shorthair breeders who became infatuated with Susie were given a kitten by her. In 1963, the Rosses were gifted an ear-folded (Fd) male called “Snooks,” who was crossed with an unknown male red tabby. Her first litter was a male kittennamed “Snowball,” who was crossed with an white British Shorthair “Lady May,” and their litter was able to produce five Fd kittens. The lineage begins with the Folds.
Challenges in Scottish Fold breeding in the 1960s and 1970s
In 1969, Snooks gave birth to her 3rd litter. Fd kittens, Denisla Hester and Denisla Hector together and Snowball as well as Lady May’s kittens became the basis for the next generation. The Rosses established their cattery as Denisla (a combination of two rivers that flowed through their property, that is, the Den along with the Isla that flowed through their house). With the assistance by English Geneticist Peter Dyte, they started breeding programs using British Shorthairs as well as farm cats. They were initially referred to as “lops” after the lop-ear rabbits, this breed was named Scottish Folds in 1966. They were created in Europe to fulfill a single purpose: to save an uncommon mutation. As a number of people began to become interested in preserving and developing Scottish Folds, some problems began to be a concern for members of the Governing Council for the Cat Fancy (GCCF) located in England.
The first time they were accepted as a show was in 1966, in 1971, the registration process for Scottish Folds was closed. Inquired about the potential rise in ear mites and deafness (both fears were later proven to be not substantiated) In addition, the GCCF was also worried about genetic issues. Due to this worry, the GCCF was forced to stop Registration for Scottish Folds within England. The most recent Fold that was registered was Denisla Morag.
The Scottish Fold is no longer popular in the cat fancy of England and Europe The Scottish Fold “set sail for the Colonies.” In the year 1970, Dr. Neil Todd, a New England geneticist, brought three Scottish Folds to the Carnivore Genetics Research Center in Newtownville, MA: Denisla Judy, Denisla Joey, and Denisla Hester (three of Snooks’s daughters). The Dr. Todd was assembling a collection of cats to conduct “scientific inspection of mutations,” and the cats were never meant to be used in the cat-fancy. In his care, Joey and Judy had two litters. After the Dr. Todd discontinued the Fold research project, shortly afterwards the cats moved on to different houses.
Salle Wolf Peters, a famous Manx breeder, purchased Hester through Lynn Lamoreux, a doctoral student at Dr. Todd’s. So, one of the beginning of the Scottish Fold breeder started her lengthy association with the folds. In 1972, one of her kittens was given to an English couple living in Utah which is where female Fold Martina Shona first presented. At the CFA event, Briony Sivewright (owner of Martina Shona) met Ann Kimball and Karen Votava. Martina Shona eventually made her way to Salle and also produced a number of beautiful Scottish Folds.
Karen Votava acquired Mr. Morgan LeFaye A handsome, tabby male in a cameo role who along alongside Doonie Lugs, was the basis stock for Bryric Cattery. Bryric is among the first catteries to be found that have a Fold pedigree and up until it was a while ago, still produced wonderful cats.
Since more breeders were drawn to this adorable cat, the movement to recognize them by CFA was initiated. In 1974, Bobbie Graham (Bobette), Salle Wolf Peters (Wyola), Karen Votava (Bryric) and others began to meet the requirements of what was then known as “experimental registration.” These conditions were met after numerous questionnaires were filled out by scientists and veterinarians researching Folds. Records were meticulously kept and kept on each kitten and cat.
There was little information at the moment about the mutation that causes the ear being folded. In the beginning of the 1970s, Dr. Oliphant Jackson, an English geneticist, issued an article stating that the breed was afflicted with bone problems. The report stated in the report, which stated that the need for changes and the use of outcrosses was needed to improve the condition of Folds. Around this time the x-rays of Folds began to show bone lesions. Based on the report of Dr. Jackson’s research, there was no prior mention of the deformities in the skeleton prior to the 1970s. Breeders and scientists pondered whether they were due to in-breeding in the early years of the development of the Folds instead of the Fd gene itself.
Scottish Fold breeding development in the USA
At first the majority of Folds had tails that were foreshortened, which were rigid. The Dr. Rosemond Peltz, who was the first genetic advisor for breeders of the American Scottish Fold breeders, advised the following “in generations to come the undesirable defect may be diminished by extremely careful breeding.” After the information gained from Jackson’s study Jackson research, the breeders started to utilize more outcrossing, as well as the genetic pool expanded. This led to longer tails that were more flexible and the bone lesions and shorter tails started to fade away.
Outcrossing is a vital element of Scottish Fold breeding programs. Without the support and kindness from American as well as British Shorthair breeders who share their gorgeous cat with Fold breeders This breed could disappear from the cat lovers and all who are devoted to their “Foldie.” More points are awarded to the tails of Fold than the standard of any breed. The standard states that the tail needs to have a flexible shape, and a long and tapering preferable. One of the first things prospective owners should ask the breeder would be “is the tail flexible?” A careful breeding practice Fold Ears (Fd) to straight ears (fd) or an outcross that is allowed, removes that stiff, stretched tail. The gene that is responsible for the folding of ears has an insufficient dominant. Since the very first study by Oliphant Jackson, Ph.D., the requirement to breed exclusively Fd to fd , or outcrosses was strongly emphasized and is still the case in the present.
In the wake of the difficulties that resulted from the GCCF ban as well as Dr. Jackson’s study of 1975 and 1975, it was evident that the Scottish Fold breeding program was quickly reducing in England. Mary Ross sent a plea to ISFA (International Scottish Fold Association) noting that just one cat lover other than her was breeding the folds. Folds were at risk of disappearing from England as well as the lady. Ross asked for help from breeders in the United States. The response was swift and by the end of the 1970s, a number of individuals took on the causes for the Folds. Jean Grimm (Furrytails), Lois and Clark Jensen (Jensen), Pat Dreifuss (Beachmor), Shirley Norquist (Kangaroo), to mention some, began developing breeding programs.
The first champions of the Scottish Fold breed
In May 1977, Scottish Folds were given provisional status within CFA. The initial pedigrees indicates that many breeds were used initially to expand the gene pool and bring the cats back to their original”barn cat “hale and hearty” state. The Scottish Folds that we have today live long healthy, happy lives, usually until and beyond their 19th birthday and a number of Folds are actively involved in the show ring past the age of 10. The common belief that Folds are crippled with age is simply an untruth. It was an era of great year for Folds, as they earned Championship status! The Jensen Minnie Pearl Scottish Fold cat won the title of Grand Champion in 1979. Minnie became the first best representative of the Scottish Fold breed.
In the year that Kitty Angell acquired two females from Karen Votava, Bryric Fanny Folderol of Kitjim and CH Bryric Patchwork, DM further groundbreaking developments followed. “Patchwork” was the first Fold to be an CFA Distinguished Merit cat in 1985. Patchwork’s sister, GC, NW Kitjim’s Briarpatch, DM, became the second. Patchwork is listed on the pedigree of more than three thousand Scottish Folds.
In 1993, Scottish Fold Longhairs were given Championship status. The success of this effort was partly because of the hard work that was done by Sue Thompson, Scottish Fold Breed Secretary, as well as Bruce Thompson, her spouse. Bruce. In 1995, two years later, Junerose Wilkerson showed a gorgeous white Longhair GC, NW B4 Snow B-Ear-Y of Sweetums. Breed by Sharon Knight and Ken Burke and the owners are Sharon Knight, Ken Burke and Junerose Wilkerson. He was ranked in the top 10 of all cats nationally. Another cat owned by Junerose has a remarkable history. GC Kitjim’s Buckwheat of Sweetums, sire for three years, had produced twenty CFA registered cats, but of those only 12 were put into breeding programs. Within the course of three generations, his offspring have produced an impressive 57 Grand Champions as well as Grand Premiers 112 Champions and Premiers, as well as 15 Regional Winners, and 2 National Winners. The breed was bred with Kitty Angell, “Buckwheat” is definitely one of the cats that are the foundation of this breed.
Current trends in the development of the Scottish Fold breed
1999 also saw another first for descendants from Kitjim Cattery. GC, RW Beebop Duke of Earle of Beepafold was the very first Scottish Fold male Distinguished Merit cat. Kitjim has been at the forefront of innovation since the beginning. In 1991 GC Bonny Too from NW Kitjim’s Q-T Cats is operated by Marcia and Leon Samuels, became the first Fold to win two national titles in the same year.
The list of American breeders who have bred this magnificent cat from the earliest specimens includes famous names. Salle Wolfe Peters, Lois and Clark Jensen, Karen Votava, Kitty Angell, Gay Turner (Scottish), Nancey Abbott (Catquea) as well as Jean Grimm (Furrytails) are among the first names. Such catteries as LaPlume, Sweetums, Whiteiron, and Jeanel start the list of prestigious and respected breeders of the Scottish Fold breed. Without these cat lovers and their tenacity and confidence in Scottish Folds, we, as breeders and exhibitors are unable to breed and exhibit the gorgeous cats we proudly put in the show rings. Thank you for all of you.
Showing breeding and breed Folds is not recommended for people who love rosettes. Since one member of a breeding pair should not have ears that are folded (Fd) so the chance of generating an Fd kitten from the same litter is 50% over the course of time. This means that not every litter will yield 50 percent Fd kittens. There are some that have with straight ears (fd) or, perhaps, just one will fold, in a single fold, which is not appropriate for the rings. This breed isn’t one for those who are impatient. Once the litter is born the wait is 21 days to get the ears to fold, or not fold. Sometimes, the ears appear like they’re about fold, but then fold “up.” We now acknowledge that kittens need to be treated as if the ears were folded. This is now becoming widely recognized as contributing to the possibility of skeletal malformations. In the past, kittens were referred to as with straight ears (fd) because that was the direction that the ear tip was pointing. Now, we are looking forward towards the day we can identify the genetic marker of Fold (Fd) gene. Fold (Fd) gene. Then, we will then be able to, through the simple blood or saliva test to determine one and only that it is the Fd gene. Straight ears are a crucial element of any breeder’s breeding plan. They are great pets and an excellent ambassador of the breed. This breed is for people who appreciate the open, gentle look with a sweet disposition, as well as the gentle tranquility that is characteristic of Scottish Fold.
Yes, let’s not forget the tribute from People magazine. In the May 31, 1999 issue , there is a whole page dedicated to “Norton,” the most well-known Scottish Fold that has yet to be made. Norton is the frequent friend to Peter Gathiers, author of two books that are best-selling on their travels through Europe (The The Cat That Came To Paris as well as Cat Abroad). I had the pleasure of having the pleasure of meeting Peter in person at the book launch together with the book’s “owner” Norton, a amazing cat and a fantastic advertisement for our breed quite impressive for a cat who’s ancestors were barn cats.
