With their unmistakable look and charmingly sweet temperaments, it’s difficult not to fall in love with the Scottish Fold. The breed appears in numerous colors but is perhaps most attractive in a blue coat, a gorgeous contrast to the large golden eyes that make them stand out even more.
An easygoing nature makes this Scotland original a splendid addition to any home or family arrangement. Discover whether you’ve found the perfect pet as we discuss the blue Scottish Fold’s personality, background, and care.
Breed OverviewSuitable for:First-time owners, owners with a mellow home lifeTemperament:Calm, playful, affectionate, sweet, intelligent
Blue Scottish Folds distinguish themselves with their bluish-gray hair, with lighter shades being the preferred variety of this coat color. Blue is an attractive hue, and it is a rare tone for the Scottish Fold, as it is a recessive diluted variation of black. Coat color aside, the blue Scottish Fold retains the adorable, rounded features and affectionate, endearing personality that define the breed.
Blue Scottish Fold Characteristics
Energy+ A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle. Trainability+ Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice. Health+ Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require. Lifespan+ Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life. Sociability+ Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.
The Earliest Records of Blue Scottish Folds in History
Scottish Folds first appeared in Scotland in 1961. Sporting a spontaneous mutation causing her ears to fold in the middle, a farm cat named Susie captured the attention of breeders who would develop the breed into the modern-day Scottish Fold. Today’s Scottish Folds all supposedly share some relation to Susie.
The exact point at which the blue variety appeared isn’t clear. Susie was a white cat and only bore two folded-ear kittens. One of those cats, a white female named Snooks, would go on to have additional litters. Crosses with farm cats and British Shorthairs refined the cat’s signature look and allowed diverse color and pattern possibilities.
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How Blue Scottish Folds Gained Popularity
Scottish Folds quickly garnered interest in Britain and the United States once they found their way to the country in 1970. The UK’s Governing Council of the Cat Fancy first registered the breed in 1966, while the Cat Fanciers’ Association in America welcomed them to the club in 1974.
In the early 1970s, controversy emerged around the breed’s susceptibility to skeletal issues related to the folded ears. Britain and much of Europe subsequently changed direction and rescinded registrations for the breed as an animal welfare measure.
The breed’s popularity in North America, however, continued to expand. Breeders justified their practices with the low prevalence of significant disorders, mixing in American and British Shorthairs to reduce the likelihood of severe issues. Additional selective breeding exaggerated the folded ears. Today, blue Scottish Folds may have double- or triple-folded ears that lay tighter to the head, which is the desired look in show cats.
Formal Recognition of Blue Scottish Fold
Though the Scottish Fold lost recognition with the GCCF and the European Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1971, all major American and Canadian registries accept the breed. Scottish Folds gained registration status with the CFA in 1974 and championship status four years later.
As long-haired varieties gained popularity in the 1980s, clubs eventually began recognizing them in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.
Top 3 Unique Facts About Blue Scottish Folds
1. The Folded Ear Gene Causes Bone and Cartilage Issues
The controversy around breeding Scottish Folds stems from their unique susceptibility to osteochondrodysplasia. The genetic disorder affects the entire body, causing shortened and malformed bones. The tail and lower leg bones commonly thicken, stiffen, and become arthritic, resulting in discomfort and limited movement. Unfortunately, there is no cure, though pain and anti-inflammatory medications can help manage signs.
Researchers discovered the connection to osteochondrodysplasia in the early 1970s, causing many registries to halt new registrations. The defect is an incomplete dominant variant in the TRPV4 gene, meaning only one copy of the mutation is needed for signs of osteochondrodysplasia to appear. Recognizing the risks, countries including Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands banned Scottish Fold breeding in recent years.
2. Scottish Folds Don’t Always Have Folded Ears
To reduce the likelihood of health issues, Scottish Fold breeders cross them with other short-haired cats. In doing so, only one mutated gene passes to the offspring. With that also comes the chance that some kittens won’t receive the gene. In these cases, cats have upright ears with rounded tips.
Cats with these features are CFA-accepted, and they are named “Scottish Shorthair” or “Scottish Straight” to distinguish them from their lop-eared siblings.
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3. Scottish Folds Are One of America’s Most Popular Breeds
Though the coat is rare, Scottish Folds have become easier to find in recent decades due to the breed’s growing celebrity. It all started in the late 2000s with Maru, a Scottish Straight from Japan who became a YouTube superstar, accruing hundreds of millions of views for videos of his at-home antics.
In recent years, the Scottish Fold has stayed in the public view as an adored pet of global celebrities, including Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.
Does the Blue Scottish Fold Make a Good Pet?
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The blue Scottish Fold is an exceptional pet for nearly any family arrangement, whether you have kids, pets, or neither. They are outgoing, playful, and loving, and though they aren’t loud, they may keep a conversation with a collection of light vocalizations. They’re curious and intelligent and can be relatively easy to train but also mischievous as they learn their way around the home.
The easygoing Scottish Fold only needs daily enrichment to stay content and docile. Grooming is straightforward with short-haired blue Scottish Folds. Long-haired varieties need more frequent brushing to reduce mats and tangles. Being careful with the tail and limbs is crucial, as they tend to develop stiffness and discomfort.
Finding a reputable breeder can have the most substantial impact on your ownership experience. Due to the breed’s various health problems, breeders must perform comprehensive testing for common issues like PKD, osteochondrodysplasia, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Conclusion
The Scottish Fold is ideal for first-time cat owners and longtime pet parents alike, and they provide many years of laidback and loving companionship for a devoted family. Vetting reputable breeders is the most challenging and crucial part of ownership due to the potential health issues in the breed.
You can find responsibly bred cats with thorough research and conversations with fanciers. Though any well-raised Scottish Fold can be a joy to own, the blue coat is a beautiful finishing touch for this delightful feline companion.
Featured Image Credit: Inna photographer, Shutterstock
